Gas Tank Repair

[76FJ40]

Anyone know where to get a leaking gas tank repaired? The tank on the 45 has a leak at the seam (liuckily on the top side of the tank.

[colangut]

Bob,

I've had really good luck with a place in Alexandria near Edsal Rd and 495. They did my Porsche tank and Jim S. HJ45 tank. It's at the end of General Washington Drive in the Edsal industrial Park. I'll see if Jim remembers the name of the place.

They used a thick red sealer that worked great in both cases.

-Stum

[greytandy]

Bob, what is the condition of the tank? Maybe it's better in the long run to just replace it?

[76FJ40]

Stum,

Thanks for your help; I had a feel;ing you would know where to go. Please send me the name of the place if you remember or the type of business so I can find them in the yellow pages.

Bob

[76FJ40]

Dave,

The tank is from the 45 and I can't find a replacement, new or used. CCOT has a galvanized steel tank on sale for $207 but it's for later model 40s.

[greytandy]

Originally Posted by 76FJ40

Dave,

The tank is from the 45 and I can't find a replacement, new or used. CCOT has a galvanized steel tank on sale for $207 but it's for later model 40s.

That blows. I always assumed the 40 and 45 shared the same tanks.

EDIT: The cruiser gods are telling you to get a long-range auxilliary tank.

[colangut]

Bob,

I can't remember the name but I emailed Jim and I'll dig through my receipts. I looked online but all that I could find is Dolphin radiator in the same area. maybe they changed ownership in the last 1 year or so? I'll figure it out and if they did go under, I'll find out where the 356 guys are going now.

Too bad no one makes stainless tanks for the 40 series like they do for muscle cars.

You ready for the Vienna Inn? We'll have to get your 45 and Jim's together for a photo op - probably the first time you'd see two together in VA.

[jhaha]

I used the POR15 tank repair kit on my 40 tank. I thought for sure it was a goner but it worked great.

It takes some time, but you can tell it is good stuff.

Jeff

[76FJ40]

Stum,

Please let me know if you find the name. I'll also check with a friend who is deep into 356 and 911 racing to see if he can help. Ryan has started on the body work on the 45 so it will at least be more beautified by the time you return - see you at the VI!


Jeff,

Thanks for the tip on the POR15 goop. I've seen it in their brochures but it's good to hear from someone who's had success with the product. That may be my "plan B".


Dave,

The 45 has remnants of the plumbing from an auxiliary tank so that may be "plan C".

[colangut]

Bob, Jeff,

I used the POR Kit myself once and it did work, but the professional stuff is much better. Not only because it's a thicker, nicer sealer but perhaps more because they boil the tank and clean it in such a way that it would be very hard to do at home.

Given the rarity of a 45 tank, I'd say go for a "best fix". If it was a 40 and the tank just had some pinholes, I'd probably just go for the professional fix too, but POR would get more consideration.

Where in Nova are you Jeff? Sounds like you a cool project going on based on your Sig.

-Stumbaugh

[jhaha]

I'm in warrenton.

Yea its a project. Right now it going spring over, I need to find one more 37 inch MTR. Also putting a taurus fan on as well as TBI.

It would be a perfect candidate for tech days!!!!!

I have all the parts(except the last MTR), it is just finding the time!

Jeff

[colangut]

Sounds like a cool project. Check the Northern Virginia Jeepers Association » News board for tires, Maryland Creepers too.

With as many guys building trucks in Manassas and Warrenton, we should get together out there one day. Tom Thornton, You, the Bascom's, Kevin T., Don M., etc. Don has a 40 with an Aqualu tub and Kevin has two or three 40's. Bill M. lives south of Manassas but he'd go just to see trucks.

-Stumbaugh

[76FJ40]

Jeff,

Where are you in Warrenton? I live off of 29 between New Baltimore and Warrenton.


Bob

[jhaha]

Bob,

I live in town, right off of green street, but the cruiser is in catlett at a friend's 56 x 96 shop getting ready to get the SOA treatment.

I would love to come see your cruiser.

Jeff

[colangut]

Bob,

Dolphin Auto Repair (703) 750-0985

At the end of General Washington drive down the last pipe stem on your right.

While you're there, check out the plastic supplier on General Washington and if your a handy sort of guy, go down Edsal road some more and check out Smoot's lumber if you've never been there before you'll be impressed. Woodcraft in Springfield is just right down the road too with Fisher Hardware right next door.

-Stum

[76FJ40]

John,

Thanks for the information, I'm planning to drop the tank and radiator off in the near future. Good hardware stores and real lumber yards are quickly becoming a thing of the past so I'll try to make the rounds while I'm in the neighborhood. My other hobby is making furniture so I'm familiar with Woodcraft. They get about as much of my money as the Cruiser vendors.

Next question - what's a local source (or any source) for a street elbow for the oil line that goes into the block on a 9/72 F engine? I think it's 1/8" BSPT. I'm replacing the header on the 45 and it hits the oil lines.

[colangut]

Bob,

Small parts like that are getting more and more hard to find locally. I'd suggest you call Mark at Mark's Off Road. He's hard to get a hold of, but for anything hard to find it's well worth the effort. He's also got a huge stash of FJ45 stuff both new and used.

Best local source would be economy auto parts at Picket and 236 - that is the warehouse for the entire Fairfax Auto chain so they tend to have all of the hard to find stuff there in one place. There used to be a few import only places around, but not so much anymore. Olympic for one comes to mind, but when I sent Craig M. there (breckbone) he was unable to find what they used to carry. Times change.

Woodworker huh? I am learning to cut dovetails right now by hand, I've got some great videos on the subject by Cosman. Are you familiar with Potomac Antique Tools and Industries Association, Inc. (PATINA) and Welcome The Washington DC Wood Workers Guild, Both are invaluable local resources and patina has great tool auctions and guest speakers/demonstrations. A few years ago I had the pleasure of going to a demonstration of how to sharpen hand saws by guru Tom Law. I have his DVD as well. You are welcome to borrow. Smoots will be worth your time and you should go down south a bit to Fries, Beal and Sharp who sell wood working tools in the lorton area. Get some 5 guys for lunch and you have a full day of manly field trips...have fun.


-Stum

[76FJ40]

Stum,

Thanks again for the information. Mark is likely to have the union I need and I'll see about Fairfax for the street elbow. I used to go to the Fairfax Auto Parts in Centreville; great place and knowledgeable staff, something Vato Zone will never have.

I'm familiar with the Washington Woodworkers Guild and F, B, & S. My neighbor is a member of the Guild and he keeps trying to get me to go to a meeting. I'm not familiar with PATINA but I'll have to check them out.

[colangut]

Your welcome and no problem. I enjoy the altruism of sharing information on any given thing.

Best places to find that street elbow would be Fishers in Springfield or Nichols in Purcillville. Both have amazing selections and are a destination all of their own. Nichols is like going back in time. Mark likely has one sitting on the shelf as it's something he likely has use for.

There is also a great old-school hardware store in Manassas in the same area as the Autozone out there, but I can't recall the name.

-Stumbaugh

[76FJ40]

Stum,

Nichols has BSP fittings? I'm amazed. I believe the hardware store you're thinking of in Manassas has gone out of business - the one on 28 west of 234?

I just ordered the street els from MSC Supply due to a lack of time on my part . I'll still find some time to check out the spots you mentioned.

Thanks again,

Bob

[colangut]

Bob,

I'm not 100 percent sure that they have them, but it amazes what they do carry.

Fishers has some pretty deep inventory as well.

-Stumbaugh

[Thornton]

Bob,

The hardware store that John is talking about is J.E.Rice they're in the Manassas Shopping Center next to Auto Zone. The one that went out of business was Manassas Hardware.

Tom

[76FJ40]

Tom & Stum - thanks for the information. I'm glad to hear that a real hardware store still exists.