Anyone open up a 32 gas tank?

I split one in half when we built the half car display, But i was thinking about splitting this one in half top and bottom. It is clear full of a family sized mouse house. I don't think I could get it all out any other way. I know the baffles may be hard to deal with, so I thought I 'd see if anyone has opened one before, I really want to save this original tank that goes to my 5 window. -Scott

 

Scott im very interested in seeing you do this. Keep us updated with pics. I have to shorten a tank soon

 

Scott, I have one that I have to do as well. Thinking about it, I thought cutting a decent sized hole in the underside of the tank would be the way to go, as when it comes to welding it up again if the jobs not stellar it wont be as visable.

Problem your going to face is fires from the hay and **** that is inside. could you not get a piece of fencing wire, make a hook on one end and fish around in there as much as you can to get as much stuff out first. then use the 1mm 4" angle grinder discs to cut the hole.

Unfortunately for me the top of the tank I have to work on is gone so I cant do what I think would be easiest. I'm going to have to cut the top out and see how I go making a replacement.

 

you aren't kidding !!! I tried to clean my tank out to weld in the notch for the qc - all this sealant **** came off the inside and got stuck in behind the baffles. And it's REAL hard to get in behind them - they pretty much break the tank into thirds and there is only small holes around the edges - too small to get **** out thru. I ended up dremel cutting the corners and bending them back so I could get in behind and then have enough metal left to tack weld them back in place when I'd finished. It was a total ***** of a job.

Way to do it would be to cut a qc notch virtually all the way accross the bottom back (or front of car). That would give you access to all three areas inside the tank. Fencing wire etc won't work. The holes in the baffles aren't big enough.

 

I had mine dipped stripped,came out really nice.I'm thinking there's not going to be any fuel vapors left going by the look of your tank it's not had gas in it for a long time!Put a match to it!

 

I was thinking the same thing, then you just have to deal with the ashes. I think you may also have to supply air to keep the fire going.

 

Couldn't you just have it boiled out?

 

I will be doing the same with my '30 in the near future. Cant wait.

 

I finally got around to this part of my project. I decided to use Flatoz's idea and cut open the bottom. My tank was full of bullet holes and they all fell into this general area. Here is my layout.


Once I cut on my tape I realized that the baffle was holding the piece I wanted to remove. You could drill the spot welds here, or use my measurements to cut around the baffle like I did. The measurement is from the point of the triangle piece on the end, wrapping the tape measure around the tank.


Once the piece was removed I was able to get my hands inside and remove tons of hay and dirt. Even a couple slugs from the bullet holes.

Once I got all of it out I used compressed air to blow around inside. I was very surprised at how clean the tank was inside.

Tonight I will clean up the panels and weld shut the bullet holes. I will post more later.