Gas Tank Fatigue?

Unknown

When I removed the gas tank from my '49 coupe I see the following repair scars.







The car in general does not look like it has been in any accidents. I have the car 100% dismantled.



Any chance this is just metal fatigue? Or is this from getting rear ended at some time? Should I beef this up some how, or is this repair good enough?



Thanks,

Bryan

oldhudsons

1. I'd check to see if it leaks, if so have it repaired so it doesn't (take it to a radiator shop).

2. then coat the interior with a chemical "slosh" that is available from restoration supply shops. The stuff I was able to get is an aircraft application used in gas tanks - this will prevent leakage & stop rust from developing.

Unknown

Just to make clear to all. The gas tank itself is fine. I see only one very small dent in it. I do plan on getting the gas tank hot-tanked and sealed.



The picture is looking down into the trunk. It is the trunk pan that fatigued or was damaged where the hanger straps come through.



Bryan

rambos_ride

Looks like an old oxy-acetelyne repair.

What made it tear or fatigure is anyones guess, however - my guess would be someone backed/drove over something that partially ripped the tank out.

If the rear end had been hit you should see more evidence of replacement or repair.

A lot of folks would let it go - if it was me and I already had the tank out I'd cut it and re-weld it so it looked better...but thats me...

RL Chilton

rambos_ride wrote:

Looks like an old oxy-acetelyne repair.

What made it tear or fatigure is anyones guess, however - my guess would be someone backed/drove over something that partially ripped the tank out.

If the rear end had been hit you should see more evidence of replacement or repair.

A lot of folks would let it go - if it was me and I already had the tank out I'd cut it and re-weld it so it looked better...but thats me...

Agreed. 100%. My thoughts, exactly.

RonS

Two possibilities, some unlucky driver went over a curb or BIG rock damaging the tank, or someone wanted to restore the tank and cut a hole to remove the "strainer" at the bottom of the pick up tube. Can't tell from the photo if this is the area on the tank one needs to cut out then reweld.

hdsn49

The June 24, 1949 General Technical Policy and Information Bulletin addresses the failure of the trunk floor pans at the point where the forward ends of the gasoline tank straps are attached to the hangers on the floor. Unfortunately I can't attach a copy of my scan. Too big and I don't know how to make it smaller

[Deleted User]

lincoln61 wrote:

When I removed the gas tank from my '49 coupe I see the following repair scars.







The car in general does not look like it has been in any accidents. I have the car 100% dismantled.



Any chance this is just metal fatigue? Or is this from getting rear ended at some time? Should I beef this up some how, or is this repair good enough?



Thanks,

Bryan

From the picture I would say that trunk had a bad leak. Floor started to rust and the tank is held at the front and the weight just pulled the floor down. Some one tried to weld it but metal was to far gone. Needed a new floor. When I did this repair I used to add a strap across the front to bolt the front part of the tank strap too, anchored at both ends. Walt.

Clutchguy

It could be any of the things listed. I think it is from Fatique. I see this alot on unwrecked,unmolested stepdown cars. 1952 the trunk got changed along with the spare tire,and I don't see it. Rust is always an issue but I've seen it on rust-free examples. I reinforce with a piece of 16ga.on either side.rolled and welded in.

TwinH

My 49 had it on the other end and it was fatigue. I chocked it

up to somebody over tightening the straps at some point.