Fuel tank drain housing
Moderators: rickf, raymond, Mr. Recovery
Fuel tank drain housing
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.
Re: Fuel tank drain housing
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
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone
Re: Fuel tank drain housing
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
Cheers,
TJ
Re: Fuel tank drain housing
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
Re: Fuel tank drain housing
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
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- Brigadier General
- Posts: 2506
- Joined: October 1st, 2010, 12:19 am
- Location: El Dorado, Arkansas
Re: Fuel tank drain housing
Emissions t/o tanks are still available for <$100. No Red Kote to buy and no hospital bills.
Re: Fuel tank drain housing
I might be interested in an emissions t/o replacemeant tank if all my efforts go sour - do you have any contact info? Thanks
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- Brigadier General
- Posts: 2506
- Joined: October 1st, 2010, 12:19 am
- Location: El Dorado, Arkansas
Re: Fuel tank drain housing
Blake @ Red River Parts, New Boston, Tx. 903-547-2226
Re: Fuel tank drain housing
Thanks for the info Hambone
Re: Fuel tank drain housing
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
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone
-
- Sergeant First Class
- Posts: 299
- Joined: October 1st, 2015, 2:31 pm
- Location: Upstate SC
Re: Fuel tank drain housing
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
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
Re: Fuel tank drain housing
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
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone