:unibrow: :unibrow: :D

LOL Dave--where did that come from---

Well either Greg is on a shop tour or having something made for the "tank build" Gotta hide somewhere.

Safe Welding of your gas tank
 

Yes you need to fill the tank with CO2 to eliminate the oxygen. Keep the CO2 flowing during the entire operation. But you also need to make sure you weld in a well ventilated are so the operator is not subjected to the CO2.

Scott
Welders360.com

be careful man ...i am in the environmental business and disposed of tanks for a fuel oil company.This was after one of their employees lost a leg and a half . He was cutting what was marked #2 oil, and was actually a 1000 gl gas tank. The tank went through the yard like a skud missile:wow: there are a couple of products you can use bio solve , CO2 , Dry ice , PLENTY OF VENTILATION!

Okay -- Since I'm typing this -- you can all assume that I have more than one finger... and can still see... so the fuel tank welding must have been "uneventful"... :rofl:

I finally got around to working on it - since it wasn't needed until just before I'm ready to fire off the beast. Right? So bent up a sump piece from some SS I had - and I'd picked up a fitting while I was at Bent Fabs shop during the RTTC event... actually managed not to lose it between then and now. So here's some self explanatory pics.

#1 rule --- I washed the fuel tank with SIMPLE GREEN TWICE.... you can't just use water -- since fuel and water don't mix! You've got to use some soap of some kind... and simple green or dishwashing liquid should work to break down the fuel.

#2 rule --- I allowed it to air dry (in my case WEEKS but it should only take a couple of days

#3 rule --- NOSE TEST IT... if it smells like fuel -- then there's some fuel residual! Mine did not smell like fuel AT ALL... not a whiff! :thumbsup:

#4 rule -- purge the oxygen somehow... I used DRY ICE. It turns into CO2 and pushes the Oxygen out as it dissolves. It's simple and doesn't waste your welding gas!


Sump built and fitting welded in. Yes there is a reason why it's not all the way to the back of tank.

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/IMG_1886.jpg


I added a VENT as long as I was going to blow myself up...

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/IMG_1893.jpg

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/IMG_1894.jpg


Punched a pattern of holes in the sump area using my Hougens Rotabroaches. Stainless steel is TOUGH STUFF -- don't try using a "metal/wood" hole saw -- you'll just run the bit and the tank... The Hougens are not only tough -- they're sharp as all get out -- and are made to cut holes in sheet metal. SO the result is nice clean holes. This is why my signature says "I have some tools...." That does not mean I have any skills whatsoever!


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/IMG_1896.jpg


TACKED it on... all the way around. Here's something I learned! Once it's tacked on -- there's no way to clamp it - or bump the metal closer (closing the GAP). The tank is NOT flat!! and the gaps on the side where there's no flange --- even though they might have only been 1/32 or 1/16 inch -- they're HARD TO WELD in a corner on sheet metal!!!! The sump edge wants to just go away. Fit up is everything in welding -- but in this case there was no way to make it better.


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/IMG_1891.jpg


DONE!


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/IMG_1911.jpg

Looks good Greg.:thumbsup:
How long did this take you?

Half a day.

Remember -- I'm undisturbed in my little shed... have all tools required... and
I had a plan all figured out before I started.

if you had some skills it would of only taken you 2 or 3 hours.
LOL

you need to start a nomad project thread.

Hell Bob! 2 hours is a half a day for me! I only "work" 'til noon... then I jump in the pool or go drive one of my other hot rods!

:rofl:

Just a PS - had new front shocks put on the big black bouncy truck when I put on new set of front tires... put on HD Bilsteins and took off the Rancho 9000's... OMG!!! We rode all the way to Cali and back with that bouncing POS! :rofl: You wouldn't believe the difference these Bilsteins made! :woot:

I'm not going to pretend I'm not Jealous. You lucky SOB!

Honestly I didn't think it was that bad overall. I think for the size of the truck it had a real nice ride. I blame the California hiway for certain sections especially thru Stockton. Those roads are awful. Since the El Toro trip. I never complain about our roads here in the PNW. California and Detroit are the worst I've driven on.