A little help please. I've gotten my 61 Lancer salvage yard escapee running and with the addition of brake hoses on order, stopping. The question now is what is the best thing to do with little or no money to repair a gas tank that has multiple holes. Do the pour in sealers really work? Would it be better to use the patch and epoxy method? I am not going to use the plastic cork from Advance or Auto Zone. I can't seem to find any older radiator repairmen who will do gas tanks in this area and the 60-62 vals and 61-62 lancers appear to have a tank that won't interchange with later model Vals and Darts. I am open to suggestions.
HHHHHEEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPPP MMMMMMEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm thinking aftermarket replacement or fuel cell. I don't know if they make new tanks for that model (I've never checked), if not, you could install a fuel cell for temporary. Also, try the parts wanted section.

I can't say I've tried all of the patch methods available, but the patch work I've seen on fuel tanks was rarely anything but bad news. This may be one of those parts of the project where you dig deep for some $$$ and get it over and done with. (it surely won't be the last)

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

It seems tanks for the early Valiants and Lancers are not available in
NOS or reproduction form. I have looked for a year or so and am now
putting a fuel cell in the current 61 Valiant project.

I am afraid to repair the tanks I have as the metal is very thin and the
another leak will just appear when the next area rusts out.

I have used Bondo body filler as a "temporary" patch on my 70 dusters
tank - with good metal prep the bondo stood up to the gas for about 2
years before it started leaking again - this is the cheap route and is not
recommended.

I hope I can find a place that does the "Tank Renu" process - but so far
the couple shops that advertised it did not return my emails or phone messages.

If you find someone that wants to make a run of reproduction tanks for
these cars put me down for three.

Used jb weld on my brother's dart sport held up until the car died about 2 years later. But his leak was small and directly under a tank strap. Is the tank radically different from later valiants. If dan isn't in transit somewhere he prolly knows what to do.

JCWhitney has a replacement gas tank listed but I don't know anything about it.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

If you can get a replacement, then go for it. If you can get it sealed by a gas tank resealing company, do it.

If not, here is an alternative:

The old-timers used to repair gas tank holes with pennies and a soldering iron. Yes, I've done it and it works very well. The gas tank has to come out. You rinse it out and fill it with water for safety (all except the last 1" of the tank). Use an old plumber's iron, the kind with a wooden handle, and that you heat the iron with a torch (actually they used to use a firepot). Keep the torch MANY, MANY feet away from the tank. Clean around the hole with sandpaper, apply rosin, melt on a little solder, then put the penny there and solder it in place.

Note that at no time do you have flame or electricity ANYWHERE near the tank. Only the hot metal iron touches the tank. Finally, do all this work, including removing and reinstalling the tank, OUTSIDE in the open air, not in a garage.

I did this for three holes on my '48 Plymouth tank. I know it sounds silly, but my grandfather (now passed) said that this was standard procedure for many years in the first half of the 20th century. My Plymouth never leaked for the next 12 years I had it.

-Mac

I called JC Whitney this morning - since I could not find a PN on the Web site for a 61 Valiant tank - They had me fill out a special order request.
They will try their suppliers and call me if there is one available. I will
post again if they find one.

That penny idea sounds a lot more durable than body putty. Thanks
for that post!

Here's the link but it looks like a generic part number...
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Prod ... 70/c-10101

_________________
David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

JC Whitney is NOT able to get a gas tank for a 1961 Valiant.
I got the postcard from JC Whitney today - "Unfortunately the Special
Orders Department has found we are unable to obtain the item from
any of our current resources."

Guess the fuel cell will stay a while. Darn - I was hoping to get my
trunk back.

A couple other options to ponder:

1) get another used one from a 'non rust belt' state mopar junkyard...

2) Spend about $180 +/- (price it out first), and take your old one into a reputable sheet metal shop and have them fab one out of 22 ga Black Iron, and have them install the bungs and hose fittings from your old tank as needed. (A long time back my journeyman/ the shop forman when I was a young apprentice did this for a guy needing a replacement tank for a 1943 Jeep, and he did one for a Kaiser. As long as the unit fits, it might have slightly less capacity, and may not have all those beads, dents, and knock outs the original had.
Make sure to paint or coat it later so it doesn't rust from the outside.


Good luck,

-D.Idiot

The best solution would be a new tank. In the mean time ...
Patching is really good only when you have a few obvious holes to repair. You may find that repairing one seems to cause more. If your leaks are caused by internal rust, the tank probably has several thin spots.
I'd consider using this: http://www.por15.com/product.asp?productid=316
If you're thorough in preparation it should work until you can come up with a replacement tank. It's not just a pour-in, you have to pull the tank and take some time cleaning and applying the assorted stuff. It will seal a lot of the smaller holes you might not even know about.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

H'm. Don't see any such a listing on jcwhitney.com . Perhaps it's only in their paper catalogue.
I would lay money that ordering this tank would result in getting a tank for a later A-body.

Spectra Premium has new tanks and senders for '63 A-bodies. I find myself wondering if maybe the best way to go would be to get one of those and adapt it. It's gotta be about the right shape and size...

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

This is probably where I will end up eventually. The tanks are not as close
as I would like - The 60 &61 have a squared off spare tyre well instead of
round leaving less room for the tank. a 61 tank holds 12 gal the 63 holds
16ish. Anyway I bought a 63 Spectra tank and before putting it in the
63 dart compared it to the 61 tank. Would have to make the tank
narrower removing the part that wraps around the tyre well. But the
filler grommet and tube looked the same for the 63 and 61.

Another idea - put a 63 tire well in the trunk floor - I bet the 63 tank
would fit then - Probably about the same amount of welding too.