<VV> Re: Fuel tank cleaning

[J R Read_HML]

Hi Bill,

Yes, I appreciate the concerns involved.  I AM under the car from time to 
time and take note of possible failures (not just the tank) when there.  New 
ones AFAIK were not available at the time.  The original one was not rusted 
through, not weeping gas, no pin holes showing.  But it did have some (not a 
lot) rust scale and nasty stale gas on the inside.  The car had sat unused 
for several years when I purchased it and the tank was only one of several 
items which needed attention.  Not only did I coat the inside, but also put 
a layer of roofing tar on the outside at that time in order to keep moisture 
away from the bottom of the tank.

Even a new tank (if left long enough with stale gas) can start to rust.

Also, I am familiar with the vagaries of the gas gauge on each of my Vairs 
(no two are the same) and "so far" have not run one out of gas.

So, "doing all right so far" is good enough for me on this sealing the tank 
question.  BTW, I DID install all new brake lines while the tank was down.

Attachments (if any) are scanned with anti-virus software.

Later, JR
'61 Rampside Standard 4/110
'65 Monza Convertible 4/140 (times 2)
'66 beater Coupe - icemobile 4/140


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Hubbell" <whubbell at cox.net>
To: "J R Read_HML" <hmlinc at sbcglobal.net>; "Chris & Bill Strickland" 
<lechevrier at earthlink.net>; <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 1:04 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Re: Fuel tank cleaning


>I just guess you're "Doing all right so far"
>
> But my point is that with gasoline you can never be too careful.  It is 
> only safe when it is in the right places.  If your repair job ever does 
> fail, you may not live to tell about it.
>
> Do you do a visual inspection of the tank's exterior to be sure it is not 
> rusting from below?  For that matter, do any of us?
>
> Old cars should be carefully inspected at least annually - preferably by 
> the owner and driver, with an eye toward possible failure.  Prevention is 
> better than repair.
>
> New gas tanks are available now, and IMO cheap, compared to your life.
>
> For what it is worth, all my driven Corvairs have new gas tanks, hoses, 
> and seals before I put them on the road.
>
> And as I learned this weekend, it's just as important to keep that new 
> tank filled with gas.....
>
> Bill
>
>