1971 Chieftain 20 gallon Rear Aux tank....top rusted out

road glide · July 02, 2018, 11:50 AM

Need possible suggestions...doubt if this is salvageable...found one website (tanksinc.com) with universal tanks that were close in measurements, a UT-N or UT-4 possible. The filler inlet would be a challenge.
47 years old and dirt and moisture (not being able to dry or evaporate) ruined the top...
The tank is 30" by 21" by 8.5" tall....has sender (5 screw), pickup tube for generator and another pickup tube for engine....small 3/8 npt drain plug underneath...
So my question...(as a newbie) any other websites with tank replacements (new) that forum members might know?

Rickf1985 · July 02, 2018, 11:58 AM

Another option if you know a good welder is to have one made, that way they can reuse your fittings and put them where needed. May not cost any ,ore than buying a new tank and it will fit right in.

turbinebronze · July 02, 2018, 12:45 PM

You might have luck with a marine fuel tank. I installed a Moeller boat tank in my Travco. It was within 1 inch in all dimensions, and a lot lighter.
Just my 2 cents, Craig.

road glide · July 02, 2018, 01:25 PM

I found the Moeller website yesterday...didn't see anything close to what I need. So far, tanks inc is close...I took a bunch of pictures to take to 2 places that might restore the original tank....This morning I got back underneath and measured to see what I could get away with. The stock tank being 30x21x8.5 is pretty tight. The shower drain trap is in front of the tank....

http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=279/category_id=133/mode=prod/prd279.htm

This is the closest candidate so far....wish it was 21 or 20 instead of 17 3/4...might call them and see if they actually manufacture theirs or purchase from a vendor....(Taiwan?)

road glide · July 02, 2018, 01:33 PM

Rusted out Aux fuel tank for generator

road glide · July 04, 2018, 02:30 PM

Getting closer to decision time...these 2 are close and might adapt...

https://raybuck.com/product/1947-63-willys-polyethylene-gas-tank/

http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=73/category_id=87/mode=prod/prd73.htm

Visited with the maintenance supervisor at the local college. He told me to check with the metal shop instructor and see if they would want a project building a new tank using the old for a template...might get away with just materials? I would need 2 pickup tubes and a 5 holes sender plus the 2 inch filler spout...

Stay tuned....still checking....

nalambright · July 05, 2018, 08:31 PM

I have a used one, exactly what you need. I'll pull it and take pictures if you're interested... $140 plus shipping.

-Nate

road glide · July 05, 2018, 11:19 PM

Today's adventure...thanks Nate but for now we are going to take a chance and try to salvage this tank. The sides and bottom seem okay at this point but we will see. If it passes muster, then the plan is to TIG weld a 27"x 19" panel with 2 pickup tubes in place and the template hole ready for the sender.

http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php?action=mgallery;sa=item;id=8382

http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php?action=mgallery;sa=item;id=8383

http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php?action=mgallery;sa=item;id=8384

Viewing POR 15 fuel tank restoration kit.....might work.....so if we do this it would be over the next week or two....I will update

Rickf1985 · July 06, 2018, 07:55 AM

Access is denied to albums?

road glide · July 06, 2018, 11:07 AM

I'll check...new to forum..might have done something when loading more pics...

I just went to my album and checked "ALL"...because you are a life member...

Previously, just guest and regular members were checked initially.....

Is it working now for you?

Rickf1985 · July 06, 2018, 11:45 AM

Yep, working now. I would also cut out the rusty section of the top of the baffle and make a new top section of that so you can spot weld that in. Otherwise the sloshing of the gas will eventually break the piece that is left with no support on top and it will probably tear out the bottom.

road glide · July 06, 2018, 12:10 PM

Quote from: Rickf1985 on July 06, 2018, 11:45 AM
Yep, working now. I would also cut out the rusty section of the top of the baffle and make a new top section of that so you can spot weld that in. Otherwise the sloshing of the gas will eventually break the piece that is left with no support on top and it will probably tear out the bottom.

You are correct....run a new strip across the top of the baffle and weld it. We were thinking one piece for the finished top 27 x 19 or should we weld two pieces using the baffle as the center (possibly 13 x 19 times 2) ...Just like plumbing the less the better though....

When I got to the baffle on the top part...(originally Winnebago or supplier) after cutting almost all of the top off, it was a really tough. Had to lift up the remaining metal and get cut off tool inside the seam. And then bend the remaining part the opposite way and using cut off tool. Tried to save it.

You can see on one side, I saved most of it but it was like a pit bull with a piece of meat...

Years ago, I would have loved to watch them manufacture this tank. Around the belly of the tank (circumference) is 4 ft & 7.5in.
So they must of taken a roll of yellow coated material 30 inches wide by 4 ft & 7.5 in and shaped it for the tank and then installed the baffle and ends....the 2 pick up tubes were spot welded like they do with auto bodies on the assembly line at Detroit.
My son is the fabricator, I'm the gopher...

Rickf1985 · July 06, 2018, 02:23 PM

I would cut out the bad metal from the baffle and weld in a new section with the top bent over so it will be flush with the inside of the top plate. It does not have to be butt welded to the bottom half of the old baffle, just lap welded on both sides. Use the full size top plate but drill three or four 3/8" holes directly over where it will meet to baffle and once the plate is welded to the rest of the tank then plug weld it to the baffle. If your son is a regular fabricator he will know what to do, or he will understand what I am talking about. Be sure to clean out this tank with acid before closing it up, much easier to do now than later. That way once it is done you can skip the acid part of the procedure and just give it a good cleaning and coat it. Clean the bottom of your new plate with the acid also to remove all the mill scale and oils so that the coating will stick there also.

road glide · July 06, 2018, 02:34 PM

Quote from: Rickf1985 on July 06, 2018, 02:23 PM
I would cut out the bad metal from the baffle and weld in a new section with the top bent over so it will be flush with the inside of the top plate. It does not have to be butt welded to the bottom half of the old baffle, just lap welded on both sides. Use the full size top plate but drill three or four 3/8" holes directly over where it will meet to baffle and once the plate is welded to the rest of the tank then plug weld it to the baffle. If your son is a regular fabricator he will know what to do, or he will understand what I am talking about. Be sure to clean out this tank with acid before closing it up, much easier to do now than later. That way once it is done you can skip the acid part of the procedure and just give it a good cleaning and coat it. Clean the bottom of your new plate with the acid also to remove all the mill scale and oils so that the coating will stick there also.

Thank you...great advice ..(it's gonna be awhile now before we do this...yesterday I wanted to get it exposed and see what we were dealing with)
Will pick up the thread later as we go along.....all these old Winnie's, might be of help to someone else...

Rickf1985 · July 06, 2018, 02:43 PM

road glide · July 27, 2018, 11:18 AM

Update: took tank to sandblaster....as we thought rusted pinholes throughout...so we over the next few months are either going to fabricate a tank or continue to search for a new tank that would be close in measurements....

BamBam · July 27, 2018, 03:44 PM

Don't forget Nate offered one up for you earlier this month. Good Luck

road glide · August 13, 2018, 01:41 PM

The Chieftain is just sitting for now. Went to DMV to transfer title and pay next years fees due tomorrow an hour early (7am) 4 people in line already... W% $152 for transfer and August 2019 tags. ($122 for non-op status??) Now for cheepie insurance.
When they finally opened, I counted around 45 folks in line. WOW...small town California...San Andreas....
So, we'll pick back up on this project sometime in October....
This a wonderful website...everyone have a great Labor Day coming up....