Hi Will. It has been a while since I have had a good look at the fuel tank
in my 2500, but from what you describe (a leak between the copper pipe and
the tank) I doubt if the source of the leak is a weld. You can't weld
copper to steel. It would most likely be a soldered joint. Pick at it with a
sharp point, and you should be able to tell if it is soft solder. It could
be hard soldered (silver solder) or brazed (bronze fill rod) but you should
be able to tell which it is.
If it is soft soldered, I would just fix it. Obviously you would not want to
use a torch. You could use a copper soldering iron, either a large electric
version, or one of the old solid copper irons which are heated up with a
torch (at some distance from the tank). I kind of like the second type,
cause you can pour the heat into them and consequently solder larger sheet
metal objects like gas tanks. Besides, they are fairly easy to pick up cheap
at junky stores.
Having said that, I guess I should add that I know squat about fuel cells
and there may be lots of good reasons for buying one, even if you had a tank
with no leaks.
Stephen
1972 TVR
> ----------
> From: William Zehring[SMTP:zehrinwa@umdnj.edu]
> Reply To: William Zehring
> Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 5:58 AM
> To: tvr@autox.team.net
> Subject: gas tanks
>
> Dear all;
>
> Well, it surprises even me, but I'm back on track to finish the 2500
> restoration this spring. However, I discovered some bad news on Saturday.
> Over the past week, my gas tank somehow managed to develop a major leak at
> the weld between the output copper pipe and the tank wall. I don't get
> it;
> the car has sat in one place for nigh on 2 years now, and not a drop of
> gas. Suddenly, a cowpie of sludge is on the garage floor. Actually, if
> it
> has to happen, it did so with perfect timing. I'm about to install the
> interior, and if any of you have ever pulled a gas tank out of a vixen
> you'll recognize that its a 'ell of a lot easier w/o seats in the car.
> Anyway, apart from what the 'ell I'm going to do with 7+ gallons of
> seriously stale gas, now, I'm contemplating the future of my tank.
>
> I seem to recall that this was discussed on this list back in the fall.
> What about getting a fuel cell instead? Now is the time, and the thought
> of a rear-end collision with the factory original tin can sort of bothers
> me. What sort of cost would I be looking at for a fuel cell? Has anyone
> done this and been happy with the results? Recomendattions for vendor?
> Comments/suggestions??
>
> cheers,
> Will Zehring
> '71 2500
>
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