MTFCA Forum

If it's not one thing it's another..... the reality of Model T ownership Today I was crawling under my Model T to string some electrical wire. I noticed a slight smell of gasoline and when I got up by the fuel tank, I noticed a tiny drip on the lower left side of the tank. There was no puddle on the floor... just a really slow seep.

The end of the tank had been brazed at some point in the past and the seeping is occurring in a section of the old crack near the center of the tank. I originally cleaned the tank and coated the interior with a POR15 kit so I'm surprised anything can get thru. I used a siphon (gas came out clean) to lower the gas level below the crack and I plan to try to repair it with some JBWeld "Tank Weld". Hopefully it does the job.

If I'm not successful, who is making round tanks that fit a 1917 Touring? I know the vendors list them but I like to know the source.

There was a gentleman selling new round and oval tanks that he makes at the Luray swap meet last year.

Kevin Prus is the fella reproducing the gas tanks & quite nice at that !

For whatever it is worth? I have not yet put gasoline in it, but about four years ago I bought one from Kevin Prus and was very pleased with how well made it was and how good it looked. (Full disclosure, the rolled edge on the ends was less than perfect if you need that for a show car, but for my tour car I am very happy with it!)

I bought one of those new round tanks. Very pleased with it. Just had to clean the threads to remove the sealer.

Oldav8tor wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 18, 2024 8:30 pm

If it's not one thing it's another..... the reality of Model T ownership Today I was crawling under my Model T to string some electrical wire. I noticed a slight smell of gasoline and when I got up by the fuel tank, I noticed a tiny drip on the lower left side of the tank. There was no puddle on the floor... just a really slow seep.

The end of the tank had been brazed at some point in the past and the seeping is occurring in a section of the old crack near the center of the tank. I originally cleaned the tank and coated the interior with a POR15 kit so I'm surprised anything can get thru. I used a siphon (gas came out clean) to lower the gas level below the crack and I plan to try to repair it with some JBWeld "Tank Weld". Hopefully it does the job.

If I'm not successful, who is making round tanks that fit a 1917 Touring? I know the vendors list them but I like to know the source.

Or in the meantime you could drain the tank, clean the outside thoroughly with lacquer thinner and smear a few layers if this stuff on it. I did that with a hairline Crack on my Fordor's fuel tank 2 years ago and no problem so far.

Tim,

I may have an original round tank at "the old house". I'll try to have a look this weekend. If it turns out that I do, it's yours for the taking. No guarantees on condition however.

My local radiator shop does all my radiators and gas tanks for my military and Model T vehicles. My last Model T oval tank, they had to open up to clean it and line it and then solder back up. Great job. You might want to have a local shop look at your tank.

If you decide to buy a new tank there will be a market to buy it. Don’t throw it away. It can be repaired and used for many years.

Thanks Jerry and all- the tank is definitely repairable....the question is what it will take to repair it. As it is original to the car I'd like to keep it.

1.) Am am going to Luray - taking the T for the tour. I'll check the tanks out.

2.) Jerry - I'm not sure yet that I need it but thanks!

3.) I bought some JBWeld Tank weld and will give it a try. If it holds I may be good to go.

4.) Thinking about it, I suspect the original crack was soldered, not brazed....I'll find out when I sand it down in preparation for trying the tank weld.

5.) There is actually a gas-tank repair shop about 100 miles from me as a last resort. I'd prefer to repair it without having to remove it from the car. May is going to be a really busy month, tour-wise.

Tim,

I've just had this exact same experience. I strongly recommend having it properly repaired. Wax and paste might be good for emergencies or even a tour season, but non-mechanical applications rarely offer solid long term solutions. It took fifteen minutes to remove the round tank from my car, and a couple rinses of water with Simple Green to clean the tank for soldering. It's back from the repair shop and I'm reinstalling it this weekend.

If you haver a shop that can do this, even a hundred miles away, take the time to do it.

Sometimes I do major surgery and sometimes I do band aids. For what it's worth, I have used the JB Weld gas tank repair putty and it has lasted for several years. Just wondering why the repair crack opened up on your T. Might consider loosening the straps a little to allow some flex or movement of the tank in it's holder?

I think the best approach would be to have a pro repair the tank. That said, I have a tour coming up in two weeks and May is actually going to be my busiest month, tour wise. I don't think I have the luxury right now of going the "pro" route.

Attached are two photos. The first shows the long crack in the left end of the tank, with a circle around the area that is seeping. The second shows the sloppy results of my attempt to repair it with "Tank Weld". After roughing up the area along the crack with sandpaper, I cleaned it of any grease or oil. I then smeared on a layer of resin, lay a piece of fiberglass cloth along the crack and then coated the fiberglass with the remaining resin. The leaking area is covered as well as the repaired crack, both above and below. I didn't do a pretty job but I'm hoping it will stop the leak, at least for now. I'll be watching it and if need be can deal with it more properly later on.

Thanks for all your comments and advice....wish me luck!

I would try this.

https://skygeek.com/prc-desoto-pr-1440b ... -5-oz.html