the tank on my 55 pontiac wagon is half shot and apparently absolutely nothing interchanges. not only that, i cant find a single place that even mentions selling a 55 wagon tank. so i got to thinking, its a pretty straight forward rectangle. maybe i could have one made to the same dimensions? has anyone ever done that? any other ideas?
i dont think i can modify another tank because the one for this car is unlike a regular tank. heres a pic i have on hand for reference
As long as you use clean metal and your welds aren't porous I don't see a problem with that. You can use an exhaust pipe as a filler neck. Your rectangle will probably have sharp corners... but it'll fit. Just make sure the sending unit is in the same place and the pickup tube/float arm are "clocked" the same direction as stock. The only issue I can see you running into, is the steel won't be treated with anything. You might get rust in there pretty quick I think. Especially from the back sides of the welds?? I'm not sure when they started galvanizing tanks, so I guess you'll be ok... -Chris
Looks pretty straight forward. You could put baffles in it while your at it. I would use 18 or 16 gauge if you do it.
I build tanks all the time, i use aluminum or steel and i tig weld all of them. You must be a good welder, a fuel tank is not something you want to spring a leak. Good Luck
Even check sites that sell boat tanks. Many of them are rectangular and usually a lot less than "hot rod" ones. Worth a look anyway.
http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=results/category_id=69/home_id=59/mode=cat/cat69.htm Try these guys out.
I built one a few years back I used new 16 ga. That one looks to be more involved.I think on that one I would cut the top and bottom,then roll the edge about 1/4" using a "T" dolly.Then cut a stip long enough to make all four sides.If the pickup sender area of the old on is not trashed you could cut it out and use same with the filler neck. when I did mine I put a 50# pressure test on it. Then i sealed the inside with por 15 gas tank sealer.It has been in use about 15 years.
I had a tank out of a 72 International pickup acid dipped, patched and coated in Santa Maria, for 125.00 at Industrial Radiator, patched nicely.
you know i never thought about the radiator shop down the street. im gonna give em a ring tomorrow. you know, sometimes you think about the problem so long you cant even begin to think of a solution
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38970 Here's a how-to I did on making a custom gas tank for my F-1. Did it out of stainless, not much more money, but will last forever!
I have had tanks built at rad. shops, you can have that one dipped and solder the holes and have metal reinforcement patches soldered on also
We make them all of the time. Get you some 14 gauge .304 stainless. Throw a baffle in the center before you seal it up.
We make aluminum tanks all the time for our race cars. Never made a steel one but dont see why it cant be done if you're a good enough welder. We always pressure test our tanks to check for leaks.
A friend of mine just picked up a 55, 56, 57 Pontiac Safari (not for sure of the actual year)... Its a parts car. if the tank is the same as a regular wagon, and it is a usable tank I'm 98% sure he would sell it, because he is going to knock the car in the head. PM me and I will get you his phone number... he's not a computer guy so he's not on here. He is a Pontiac nut and has a lot of parts and is very knowledgeable.
I went to a place that makes tanks for marine applications for diesel, gas, hydraulic, water, etc.... I gave them a detailed drawing, a sending unit and a cap. They made a custom aluminum fuel cell for me at a reasonable price. Don't forget to vent the tank. Good Luck
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