'69 fuel tank repair options

[Shannon Burgess]

I noticed a fuel smell from the rear of my '69. It seemed to have started after I re-installed the spare tire and carrier assembly 2 weeks ago. After dropping the spare assembly, I ran my hand between the tank support and the front edge of the tank and gas started pouring down. I siphoned it out in a panic, then droppped the tank.

I found that there is a small hole, approximately 1/8" by 1/16" square. It is located in one of the inboard "recesses" that are similar to the ones where the straps reside. The area with the hole does not contact the support or any other part of the car. This tank is about 3 years old, no rust on it outside at all, and none that I can see on the inside. I'd like to repair it if possible, rather than replace it.

I was thinking of my options, and could come up with two. Find someone to weld it, or patch it myself with JB weld or a similar epoxy. Would either of these methods work, or should I replace the whole thing? I've never faced this before, so any advice is much appreciated.

Shannon


My '69 Vette

[Tony H.]

Re: '69 fuel tank repair options

Shannon,

I had a similar occurance happen to me on my 1970 Corvette. The THIRD option is the best and that is to purchase a new reporduction from QUANTA in MD. The problem I see with your other options is that with the age of your original gas tank, you never know where or when any other holes may develop and you may end up repeating your exercise only to end up with the third option again as the best solution. The gas tanks that Quanta (410-658-5700 inquiries, 800-BELTS-88 orders) sells for 69 350/350 are two depending when in production the car was made: 1968-July 1969 w/Rochester carburetor - Quanta Part # GM33C (original part # 3923687) or August 1969 to December 1969 w/Rochester carburetor - Quanta Part # GM33E (original part # 3967741). A few years back, these were about $200 and were very nearly exact reproductions.

[Patrick T.]

Re: '69 fuel tank repair options

Shannon, REPLACE the tank, JB weld or any other kind of epoxy will NOT hold up when in constant contact with gasoline; I've tried them all. I would not recommend trying to patch up a gas tank in any manner, your flirting with disaster.

Something just doesn't sound right with a 3 year old tank starting to leak, but you can get an almost perfect reproduction tank from CCentral, you'll just have to cough up the bucks...

Get the new tank and wipe it down thoroughly with lacquer thinner to get off the grease, and spray it with Eastwood's Nyalic Clear Coat Barrier, a great protectorant, but probably not NCRS Judge friendly. Good Luck.

[Wayne W.]

Re: '69 fuel tank repair options

NUTS, Epoxy will hold the world together. I have fixed bunches of tanks with it with great success. They make fiberglass gas tanks out of the stuff for crying out loud. Some of the products used in these kits to seal old tanks are epoxy products. I use epoxy primers inside old carbs. where there is corrosion or flaking and never had a problem. The secret is to get the surface clean before applying. Some of these paste types are a little too dry for my liking get some that has a little wetting ability.

[Shannon Burgess]

Re: '69 fuel tank repair options

Tony,

Thanks for the advice. I should have been more clear, but this tank is only 3 years old. It was installed by the bonehead mechanic that the prior owner hired to do a bunch of work on the car about a year before I bought it. The tank has absolutely zero rust inside and out. It appears that the guy somehow pinched it when he installed it. I hate to replace the tank since it is in fabulous condition, save this one spot.

My current plan is to try some epoxy to repair the hole. If it doesn't hold, then I'll replace the tank. It will cost next to nothing to try this method first, except of course my labor to repair and reinstall the tank.

Shannon


My '69 Vette

[Bill Lucia]

Re: '69 fuel tank repair options

Shannon, since the tank is out anyway my preference is to replace it with a new repro. The available tanks are perfect and you NEVER have to worry about it again. Just my opinion. I faced this with my 69 and I did not hesitate to get the repro tank. Never worried about it again!!

good luck

regards

Bill

[Shannon Burgess]

Re: '69 fuel tank repair options

Bill,

I really should have been more clear initially, but this tank is only 3 years old. I checked it over more thoroughly now that I've calmed down from the initial frustration of this afternoon. There is zero rust inside or outside. I really think it was damaged by the guy who installed it for the previous owner. In any event, I'm going to attempt an epoxy repair. I have some steel-filled epoxy that states in the documentation that it is suitable for gas tank repairs. If it doesn't work, I'll go the replacement route.

Thanks for the advice, Shannon


My '69 Vette

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 fuel tank repair options

Shannon-----

Generally, I do not recommend the repair of fuel tanks. However, if this tank is only 3 years old, and you know for sure that it was a NEW tank when it was installed, and the tank is in otherwise PERFECT condition as you describe, a repair may be in order. There are two ways to go about this.

You can use an epoxy repair such as JB Weld. Epoxies are very long chain polymer molecules and are virtually impervious to gasoline. But, like any organic compound, they do degrade. Chances are this won't happen in the otherwise lifetime of the tank, but I'd always be a little nervous about it, especially since the hole is on the bottom of the tank.

So, your other option is to take the tank to a shop which specializes in fuel tank repair and can perform a solder, braze, or weld repair SAFELY. Many radiator shops also specialize in fuel tank repairs, so you might want to check your phone book. Removing the tank from the car once you're as far into it as you apparently are is not too difficult. And, the repair will be of nominal cost.

[Tom B.]

Re: '69 fuel tank repair options

Shannon,

Just a little curious about the hole that you later described in the tank was "pinched". If it's a sort of "crease-pinch" with a ridge you may be fighting more of a losing cause with an epoxy. Maybe not, but I like Joe's suggestion best and think I would go the route of a metal-to-metal type shop repair. You're in the best postion to examine what's needed. TBarr #24014

[Duke W.]

"Welding" is a viable option

In the summer of '67 my '63 started leaking fuel. I was working in Alaska and my dad was keeping the car excercised. He took it to Nelson Chevrolet in Seattle, where they removed and repaired the tank. The repair appears to be a patch of copper colored sheet brazed to the steel, about one inch square, six inches directly behind the sending unit opening. The repair is still holding, but I went ahead and bought a new tank back in the late seventies when they were still available from Chevrolet and inexpensive.

I expect that Nelson sent the tank out to a specialty shop. Take the tank to some good radiator shops. They often do fuel tank repair work.

The thing that's perplexed me over the years is how the tank could start leaking. As located in the Corvette, is it protected from road debris by the spare tire carrier. The hole was in a flat part of the tank. There is a circled "A" stamped in the tank just forward of the patch, but the break was probably behind this formation. I can understand a leak where the metal was stretched during fabrication, but how a leak could develop on a flat portion is a mystery too me. Should I, as the just turned 20 owner, have revoked dad's Corvette driving priveleges?:)

Duke

[Shannon Burgess]

Re: '69 fuel tank repair options

Joe,

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I'm sure of the tank's age. I've got the receipt from the previous owner. I think I'll explore the welding option since I don't want to go through dropping the tank again in the future.

thanks,

Shannon


My '69 Vette

[Tony H.]

Re: '69 fuel tank repair options

Shannon,

I did misread your original post. Sorry, my fault. In that case where the tank is only three years old and in excellent shape, I would try a repair, too. JB Weld may work well. I have used that in rebuilding carburetors with great success. Good luck.