I like to work on old pickup restorations and one common problem is gas tanks. Some replacement gas tanks are available some not. In the case of my current 52 Chevy I want to relocate the gas tank from inside the cab to under the cab or box. So I have been thinking of the best way to make a custom gas tank. I have a nice sheet metal box brake to do the bending but can't figure out the best method to join the corners. Here are my thought options so far:
1. Make it out of mild steel and mig weld the corners. Mig weld on the connection fittings. Line the tank inside with Red Kote for corrosion.
2. Make it out of galvanized steel and overlap the corners. Spot weld them with the mig. Then solder to seal the joint. Not sure best way to attach the connection fittings but would probably full mig weld them on and tin the inside. Could possibly braze the fittings on. The main issue I see with this is the spot welds on the inside won't have any galvanized remaining. So a potential corrosion hot spot. I could tin some of these spots on the inside before the tank is all enclosed but there will be some spots that won't get tinned.
3. Make it out of aluminum and use some of the low temperature aluminum filler rod which is basically aluminum solder. I would have to get aluminum pipe nipples and solder them on also.
What are your guys thoughts? Any other ideas? I have a basic mig welder and oxyacetylene torch.
Thanks,
1. Make it out of mild steel and mig weld the corners. Mig weld on the connection fittings. Line the tank inside with Red Kote for corrosion.
2. Make it out of galvanized steel and overlap the corners. Spot weld them with the mig. Then solder to seal the joint. Not sure best way to attach the connection fittings but would probably full mig weld them on and tin the inside. Could possibly braze the fittings on. The main issue I see with this is the spot welds on the inside won't have any galvanized remaining. So a potential corrosion hot spot. I could tin some of these spots on the inside before the tank is all enclosed but there will be some spots that won't get tinned.
3. Make it out of aluminum and use some of the low temperature aluminum filler rod which is basically aluminum solder. I would have to get aluminum pipe nipples and solder them on also.
What are your guys thoughts? Any other ideas? I have a basic mig welder and oxyacetylene torch.
Thanks,