I just got a 31 gas tank for a pickup I am building and where the column drop and choke rod drop are it appears someone has stopped leakage by brazing it or something. Before I remove this and mend it myself I was wondering if there was a way to tell if it is lead. It is a dull gray on the surface and shiny silver when chipped with a screwdriver and hammer.
Sounds like lead. how soft does it feel? if you can scratch it with a screwdriver and little effort, chances are it is lead. You weren't planning on drinking out of that thing were you?
If there is a good patch there, why do you want to remove it? Unless you eat the lead after you get it out of there , and probably not even then, it will not make you sick.
Chances are it is original stiff Ford used, unless it looks real crude. You should see what a 1930's Harley frame looks like after it is sandblasted.
Definitely sounds like lead. I was working on a gas tank on a 34 Hudson Terraplane, and the entire tank was coated with a film of lead and tin, presumably from the factory to prevent rust. Unfortunately, it contaminated the metal so bad I was unable to weld on it. Brazing was the last resort and was successful. Don't sand on the lead or do anything to it that would reduce it to fine particulate matter that could become airborne and inhaled. Vixen files are better because they shave off larger chunks that just fall on the floor. Or you could use a torch and melt it off. Use a respirator and don't directly inhale the smoke.
Hey, Stop! Do Not Use an Open Flame On The Tank!!!!!! I have seen tanks that had no fuel for years go bang from old fumes when a torch was used on them. Best to remove the tank, either fill with water or better, use dry ice/CO2 to purge the tank while soldering or welding. Radiator shops sometimes offer gas tank repairs. S****ey Devils C.C. "Meanwhile, back aboard The Tainted Pork"
Get yourself a dirty big soldering iron ( or make one ). Heat the iron with a torch, then use the iron to sweat off the patch. Easy, and no explosions.
Have a neighbor you don't like? See if their kid will try to eat it.... Seriously, the soldering iron is the best bet here, you should be able to melt enough of it off to see what you're dealing with. Worst case if you have to use a wire brush or something to get to the last of it, just wear a good mask and do it outside. Maybe use a br*** type brush instead of a steel one. Because it's a small enough tank, if you want to pull it off, you could probably take it to some shops for a quote, too.
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