<VV> need advice re: leaky gas tank

[Robert K. Henry]

I replaced two or three tanks in the car that is now is now my Corvair. The
last time I sloshed the replacement tank with some stuff from Clark's before
putting it in and have had no more problems so far. Corvair tanks seem more
susceptible to rust than the flatter steel tanks in most other cars,
probably because any water precipitating out of the fuel ends up
concentrated on that one small section of metal at the bottom. If the tank
is leaking from a pinhole you can be certain that more pinholes are getting
ready to open up nearby. Replacement is the only long-term option. I once
had temporary success with epoxying a brass patch over the holes in one
tank. Considering that draining the tank is at least half the job of
replacing it, once you have the tank empty you may as well go the whole way
and pull the tank and replace it. That offers an opportunity to
inspect/repair/replace other components in the area that might also need
attention.

Almost as annoying as holes in tanks is repeated replacement of the Turbo
"T" fuel return. Since I sloshed that last tank, I've still had to pull it
several more times to replace the rubber "T". An honored VVer here suggested
an alternate source for the part and so far the new part is holding. 

Robert Henry
Knoxville, TN
'65 Corsa Turbo Convertible

-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of Wrsssatty at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 2:14 PM
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: <VV> need advice re: leaky gas tank

There's a guy here in NJ who recently acquired a customized Corvair once  
belonging to industrial designer, Raymond Loewy.  He and I have been  
communicating back and forth because I'm hoping to research a possible
article  for 
the communique on the car.  Anyway, I received the note, below,  from him.  
Being mechanically challenged, I'm passing this along to  all you out there 
and I will pass along to him your advice and  observations.
 
Thanks in advance,
 
~Bill Stanley
 
His note:
<Just a quick note to let you know  the Loewy Corvair is currently "off the 
road" due to a severe fuel leak.  
It looks like I'll need to replace the  gas tank.
When I try to fill up, I put more gas  on the ground than in the car 
........ the leak seems to be the tank itself not  the hosed connections
that are 
usual suspects.
If you have any hints to make this job  easier I'd really like to hear 
them.>
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