Technical 1971 Fiat 124 Spider fuel tank issues

[vinjones]

We are having a lot of rust hit the fuel filter directly out of the tank. It looks like we have three options:

1) Ideally we would like to replace the tank but it seems like they are out of stock on the vented tanks

2) Buy an unventilated tank from RockAuto but I have read the vents are a crucial part of the system.

3) Has anyone had success resealing a tank after cleaning all the rust out or are we asking for trouble?

 

[bugsymike]

We are having a lot of rust hit the fuel filter directly out of the tank. It looks like we have three options:

1) Ideally we would like to replace the tank but it seems like they are out of stock on the vented tanks

2) Buy an unventilated tank from RockAuto but I have read the vents are a crucial part of the system.


3) Has anyone had success resealing a tank after cleaning all the rust out or are we asking for trouble?

From past experience with old rusty fuel tanks, personally I would buy the RockAuto one if you think it a good make and have it modified to accept the breather/vented side like your original.
With it being brand new, then a lot safer to modify than worrying about trapped fumes in an old tank when welding, even after steam cleaning etc.
We used to have a bodyshop that would repair them in the 1970s, but sooner them than me!

 

[Twink80]

From past experience with old rusty fuel tanks, personally I would buy the RockAuto one if you think it a good make and have it modified to accept the breather/vented side like your original.
With it being brand new, then a lot safer to modify than worrying about trapped fumes in an old tank when welding, even after steam cleaning etc.
We used to have a bodyshop that would repair them in the 1970s, but sooner them than me!

I agree. Buy a new tank and modify the breather, you can use the old one from your current tank. Its straightforward to weld (should really be brazed or soldered). You can leak test by filling with water before you put back in the car. After emptying invert the tank then sit upright in the hot sun for a day or too. I modified my tank to use a monza filler and delete the gas cap flap. I reused all the exising pipework just cut & welded to suit

 

[vinjones]

Thanks for the tips yall. We decided to use the Gold Standard rust removal and tank sealing kit as our first try. The inside was extremely rusty and we even had part of a fuel hose rotting in there for who knows how long. The process was even more challenging because our tank is beveled, so we had to buy a little extra sealer than what came with the kit to accommodate the extra surface area. After the tank cleaner and rust remover chemicals the inside looked really good and almost brand new.

We did the sealant a couple days ago and are waiting for it to cure before testing it out with water, but we feel confident that we extended the life of the tank by quite a few years. The problem with buying a new tank is that there is only 1 for sale and it's on ebay for $500, so we decided to give this $50 kit a shot first.

Will update on the status after we test it and all that, and we are wire brushing the outside rust down and coating it with rust-oleum to help on that front.

 

[bugsymike]

The problem with buying a new tank is that there is only 1 for sale and it's on ebay for $500, so we decided to give this $50 kit a shot first.

Will update on the status after we test it and all that, and we are wire brushing the outside rust down and coating it with rust-oleum to help on that front.

Fingers crossed, fuel has a habit of creeping even more than water from a weakness.
Next time the fuel tank will be $1000.
Some years ago I bought a S/H van from a boat builder who had covered his diesel fuel tank with marine epoxy resin and fibreglass matting, of course I used that to negotiate a lower price, but give him his due, it never leaked in all the time I had it.

 

[Twink80]

Thanks for the tips yall. We decided to use the Gold Standard rust removal and tank sealing kit as our first try. The inside was extremely rusty and we even had part of a fuel hose rotting in there for who knows how long. The process was even more challenging because our tank is beveled, so we had to buy a little extra sealer than what came with the kit to accommodate the extra surface area. After the tank cleaner and rust remover chemicals the inside looked really good and almost brand new.

We did the sealant a couple days ago and are waiting for it to cure before testing it out with water, but we feel confident that we extended the life of the tank by quite a few years. The problem with buying a new tank is that there is only 1 for sale and it's on ebay for $500, so we decided to give this $50 kit a shot first.

Will update on the status after we test it and all that, and we are wire brushing the outside rust down and coating it with rust-oleum to help on that front.

There is a new tank for sale on ebay for £350

 

[sgkent]

pull the tank and take it to a radiator shop to be cleaned. They can clean it and check it for leaks. If it does not leak, you can use it until you can find a good new one.