VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 31 gas tank

I have begun to recondition a gas tank for my 31 sedan. I know that much has been posted and exhausted about this topic. However I was unable to find any recommendations that include removing an end panel to clean out the tank. Suggestions include a range of coatings to cutting an access hole that can be closed up. I started by blowing out my tank with compressed air and ran a tap through all the threads. The exterior of the tank appeared to be clean, painted and rust free. There were no signs of leaking and the seams appeared nice and tight. Just to be sure I filled the tank with water to check for leaks. Much to my surprise I detected an area about 1 1/2" along the seam of one end cap that exposed a good leak. I carefully unfolded the seam with a small chisel until I encountered solid "tinning/solder". About 25% of the seam is currently open. I think that I can easily restore the seam area with new tin and leave the end cap in place. However I'm beginning to consider removing the end cap to clean out the tank and replace it with new tinning afterwards. Has anyone removed and replaced an end cap? Can anyone share thoughts or make recommendations? Any information and support is always appreciated. Thank you.

If you want your gas tank clean removing the end cap is a good idea. With the end cap removed you can bead blast the inside of the tank and make it really spotless, and then resolder the end cap back into place.

If your tank comes out like new, there is no need to use gas tank sealer. I know that a lot of dudes like that stuff but I am not a big fan of the gas tank sealer since I have run into many cases over the years where the sealer caused various problems later.

Good luck with your project!

Thank you JYD! Your reply is just what I was hoping for. I really wanted to avoid sealers after reading about so many bad experiences. I purchased a Barbee Rad-Blast cabinet this past summer that I havn't connected yet. Now I have a good excuse to purchase some media and make it operational.
As always, VCCA Chatter is the best! Thanks again.

Sure, glad to help out. Also glad that you are going to stay way from a sealer. If your tank is clean and almost like new inside you don't need a sealer anyway.

Until now I have not paid much attention to the media used in blasting cabinets that were available from friends. There seem to be many choices available in grades ranging from fine to coarse (silica sand, glass beads, alum. oxide, black beauties, etc) and some are mixed blends. I have my rolling chassis back together. I know I have a long way to go and many parts to be cleaned... just like the gas tank. What may be a good media choice for my applications. Any thoughts would be helpful.