Fuel tank drain housing

A place to post pics and descriptions of ongoing restoration projects

Moderators: rickf, raymond, Mr. Recovery

Post Reply
Xloflyr
Private First Class
Private First Class
Posts: 19
Joined: September 6th, 2016, 4:55 pm
Location: Texas

Fuel tank drain housing

Unread post by Xloflyr » September 20th, 2016, 8:08 pm

During restoration process of my rusty fuel tank I noticed after a pressure wash that the solder on the inside around the fuel tank drain housing is now awol. Can this be re-soldered and if so, what type of solder is to be used? Also, after a week of penetrating oil applications inside and outside on the drain plug it is still stuck - any suggestions? I removed about half a coffee can of rust from the tank as it was real rusty - fuel smelled like turpentine and it's hard to believe it ran. My first MUTT - hoorah.

User avatar
rickf
General
General
Posts: 19740
Joined: November 26th, 2007, 1:28 pm
Location: Pemberton, NJ.

Re: Fuel tank drain housing

Unread post by rickf » September 20th, 2016, 8:36 pm

As you can guess with all of the rust that drain plug may never come out, at least not without damaging the tank beyond what is already damaged. The only thing you can try is heat. If the solder is already gone then you have nothing to lose but you need to be absolutely sure there are no fumes in that tank at all, even old turpentine will blow up as it gets hot. The solder you would use to repair it would be plumbing solder with a good flux. If you can unsolder it and get the whole thing out then it should be easy to get it apart and clean it up. The best and safest way to work on a tank with flame is to fill the tank with inert gas, argon from your MIG tank. And I am talking about sealing it off and letting the gas flow in there for five minutes with a small opening opposite the hose to vent the air before even thinking of lighting up. If there is still gunk from the stale gas in there then keep that argon flowing while the flame is going because the gunk will be outgassing flammable crap. Which by the way could go up as it exits the tank with the argon once it hit the oxygen outside the tank and the flame out there so be aware and prepared.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

User avatar
m3a1
Lt. General
Lt. General
Posts: 4028
Joined: August 7th, 2014, 6:36 pm

Re: Fuel tank drain housing

Unread post by m3a1 » September 20th, 2016, 8:51 pm

You might also consider opening your wallet, rather than your tool box to solve this particular problem. Much safer....and your insurance man will thank you for it. If you have any doubts, there are plenty of gory videos on Youtube.

Cheers,
TJ

Xloflyr
Private First Class
Private First Class
Posts: 19
Joined: September 6th, 2016, 4:55 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Fuel tank drain housing

Unread post by Xloflyr » September 20th, 2016, 9:16 pm

Thanks for the replies reference my tank drain plug housing issue. I have unbolted and removed everything from the top of the tank and after repeated pressure washings there are no fumes, just some residual rust that will probably have to be professionally removed. Think my next step in an attempt to remove the drain plug will be heat application. If that produces no results I might cut flush, drill and use an easy- out extractor - think that might work? Have serious doubts that continued use of penetrating oils and tapping will get it done. Really hate to get the wallet out prematurely

User avatar
fergrn37
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Posts: 198
Joined: March 18th, 2016, 12:05 am
Location: SEOK

Re: Fuel tank drain housing

Unread post by fergrn37 » September 20th, 2016, 9:51 pm

Using heat or flame on a flammable tank can be done easily. Hook up your exhaust to blow into the tank. Exhaust is inert and will negate any errant fumes.
Some people are too busy knowing it all to ever learn anything

Hambone
Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Posts: 2495
Joined: October 1st, 2010, 12:19 am
Location: El Dorado, Arkansas

Re: Fuel tank drain housing

Unread post by Hambone » September 20th, 2016, 10:07 pm

Emissions t/o tanks are still available for <$100. No Red Kote to buy and no hospital bills. :lol:

Xloflyr
Private First Class
Private First Class
Posts: 19
Joined: September 6th, 2016, 4:55 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Fuel tank drain housing

Unread post by Xloflyr » September 20th, 2016, 10:25 pm

I might be interested in an emissions t/o replacemeant tank if all my efforts go sour - do you have any contact info? Thanks

Hambone
Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Posts: 2495
Joined: October 1st, 2010, 12:19 am
Location: El Dorado, Arkansas

Re: Fuel tank drain housing

Unread post by Hambone » September 20th, 2016, 10:30 pm

Blake @ Red River Parts, New Boston, Tx. 903-547-2226

Xloflyr
Private First Class
Private First Class
Posts: 19
Joined: September 6th, 2016, 4:55 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Fuel tank drain housing

Unread post by Xloflyr » September 20th, 2016, 10:44 pm

Thanks for the info Hambone

User avatar
rickf
General
General
Posts: 19740
Joined: November 26th, 2007, 1:28 pm
Location: Pemberton, NJ.

Re: Fuel tank drain housing

Unread post by rickf » September 21st, 2016, 9:21 am

I am not a fan of ez outs since in the process of them jamming into the bolt to remove it they are also expanding it so therefore tightening it back up against the nut. The end result is usually a broken EZ out and then you have real problems. Heat the surrounding nut red hot and gently try to move the plug both in and out. It will come out. You may find that the drain housing is riveted into the tank and then soldered, the heating will have destroyed the solder so you will need to remove the housing and clean it all up and reinstall and solder it back in. Personally, I would not even worry about it, do you ever plan to drain the gas that way? Then again, you are this far, why not?
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

SturmTyger380
Sergeant First Class
Sergeant First Class
Posts: 299
Joined: October 1st, 2015, 2:31 pm
Location: Upstate SC

Re: Fuel tank drain housing

Unread post by SturmTyger380 » September 22nd, 2016, 8:12 am

Every time I use a Ez out it breaks and I end up drilling out the hardened Ez out and what ever I was trying to remove. So Just save some time and drill it out.
45' MB, ??' MBT, 47' CJ2A, 48' CJ2A,
51' M38 #1, 51' M38 #2, 51' M100,
52' M37, ??' M101A1 (1st Gulf War Vet),
53' M38A1, 53' M211, 65' M151A1, 67' M416,
MVPA #31724

User avatar
rickf
General
General
Posts: 19740
Joined: November 26th, 2007, 1:28 pm
Location: Pemberton, NJ.

Re: Fuel tank drain housing

Unread post by rickf » September 22nd, 2016, 8:57 am

Left hand twist drill bits are the best thing ever made for removing stuck bolts. Once the drill starts in it relieves the pressure on the sides and the biting action of the drill will a lot of the times screw it right out.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

Post Reply