So what do you have to do to a tank to keep from blowing yourself off the face of this planet? Uhhh, I got the fact that you get rid of the gas that's in it first. But then what? Tell your mother-in-law you need her to see if there is any gas left and tell her she'll need this here lighter to check it? I'm only asking because I'd like to use as much as my van on this redo as I can. I'm thinking about using the tank and putting it between the rails, but I know the neck will need to be reworked. Do they maybe make a "clamp-on" type of flexible neck that you can use? Many tanks for your advice!
Welding on a gas tank is ALWAYS a bad idea, but if you must do so then fill the tank with water before striking your first arc. I would check some radiator/gas tank repair shops and see if a rubber filler neck or maybe even the plastic type could be fit to your truck. I know that all new cars are either plastic or rubber. Not just any rubber though, make sure it will be approved for fuel or it will eat right through it. And if you need a mother in law to check the tank for excess fuel before welding then you can borrow mine!!!
I wouldn't recommend it,seriously. A guy I used to work with tried this and the fumes kept igniting,even though he had water in the tank. Get to a radiator shop. They know what to do with these things.
You can weld the tank after you flush it out with water a few times...then let some compressed air run into the tank for a while to dry it out....I welded a stress crack on a few aluminum gas tanks for a boat a few times...The first time I directed exhaust fumes from a snowblower into the tank with a piece of 3/4 heater hose to evacuate all the oxygen out of it....the trick is to use a non flameable sheilding gas such as argon or c02........run a hose from the argon/c02 regulator to the vent on the tank and remove the drain plug.....let the gas run for a good 10 min before welding it so all the oxygen is displaced.....no oxygen = no fires.....it might sound crazy but it worked for me..... Leon
