Hot Rods Cutting an A gas tank open.

Found a ‘32 style aftermarket dash for my ‘29 CCPU. The original tank is full of rust and I installed a new 10 gallon tank in the bed of the truck.

I need some guidance on cutting out the front of the stock tank. Any pictures or advice would be helpful. I suspect that the ‘30-‘31 tank modifications would work for my ‘29.

 

There are baffles on the inside that you will likely want to remove - can get kind of messy.

Not sure what you mean by "I suspect that the ‘30-‘31 tank modifications would work for my ‘29". (?).

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I saw a Model A coupe on Ian Russell's Full Custom Garage where he cut the fuel tank and added a glove compartment and a bunch of gauges, looked pretty good. HRP

 

Little air hack saw makes easier

 

Even a very old tank can present an explosion hazard when cutting. Dry ice in the tank to displace oxygen is an accepted industrial practice on larger tanks. On a small tank you can fill with water and cut below the water level using a right angle grinder.. it is kind of messy, but safe. Once a big enough opening is created for good air flow, normal cutting practices can be used.

Keeping extra metal in the cowl cover in the area of the steering column support (left side of the gas tank) may give you a free column support structure, but you need to remove enough of the old tank to clear any instruments and wiring. Removing all of the old tank at the front (firewall side) makes a good area for firewall mounting of your wiring board.

 

Saw that and decided to do the same thing. Only cutting the front out

 

Wash it out with soap and water, then put about a pound or two of dry ice in it and let it sit a while to let it blow all the oxygen out. Once it sits a few minutes, you can cut it safely. You can speed things up a bit by pouring a little (Little!) bit of water in on the dry ice. Is the picture the tank you are going to use? If so, since it's already opened up you wouldn't need to do any explosion proofing at all.

 

Dang, 70 odd years ago, Dad and I just rinsed with water and used a hammer and chisel.

Ben

 

I think I carried the one I cut the bottom out of to work and used my air chisel on my lunch break. Somewhere in Texas there might be a little T bucket style rod with that 30 Model A cowl, A late 20's Dodge touring back end and sheet metal welded in between with no door lines.

 

Washed out with soapy water, followed by a spark-throwing cutting wheel on a 4.5" grinder: