1962 Expansion Tank Fitting Leak

[Jeff C.]

How can a very slight leak on the small fitting where it is pressed into the tank be repaired? It is an origanal press fit 1962 tank.
Thanks
Jeff

[David K.]

Re: 1962 Expansion Tank Fitting Leak

The only way I know is welding. I am sorry to say that is the only way I could figure out to stop mine from leaking.

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1962 Expansion Tank Fitting Leak

Jeff;
JB Weld (an epoxy mix) might do the trick but you might see it, although you can touch it up with some silver paint.
Since the small fitting is for overflow from the radiator it won't see a lot of coolant but it is still under pressure.
Dave K. is correct, the best way is to weld it but it will show.
Good luck.

[Mark P.]

Re: 1962 Expansion Tank Fitting Leak

Jeff - perhaps solder would work. If it is clean and you use flux you might be able to sweat solder it like you do with copper plumbing. That should look pretty close to the finish.

Mark

[Ernest C.]

Re: 1962 Expansion Tank Fitting Leak

Jeff
I had the same problem and tried JB weld. It worked for a while, but the tank is under pressure, and ultimately leaked. I then replaced with new from Paragon.
Ernie Cope

[Dennis A.]

Re: 1962 Expansion Tank Fitting Leak

Jeff....
There a repair for aluminum called Alumweld. Eastwood has it, however it requires a torch. a good radiator shop that repairs aluminum radiators may help and I know Jerry Mac Neish of Camaro Hi-Performance does outstanding job of repairing alumunium intake manifolds, give he a call before buying a new one...

[Jeff C.]

Re: 1962 Expansion Tank Fitting Leak

Thanks everyone.

[John F.]

Re: 1962 Expansion Tank Fitting Leak

This is thinking way "outside the box". How about taking the tank off of the car and tilting it so the fitting to be worked on is on the bottom, make up a wire with a little swab fastened to the end, mix up the JB weld, dip in the swab and coat around the fitting from the inside. Or JB weld on the end of a Q-tip and go thru the inside of the fitting and swish back and forth to get a lot of the JB to settle around the fitting. Let it setup and see what happens. Kind of like building a ship in a bottle. Haven't ever done this but I would give it a try.