Fuel tank repair

[genesis]

I've got a 79 Ford 4X4 LWB that has a BIG crack in the side about halfway up in the poly fuel cell.
Has anyone had any luck with repairing these things?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[LEB Ben]

In my opinion...you'd probably be better off just replacing the tank. I've never done any work on plastics tanks, but have tried to get them repaired. I dunno what they do to repair it...but using a few different shops, the tank either still leaks or is more expensive than just buying a new tank. So if I were you, I'd just buy a new tank...you can get a plastic/poly 19 gallon tank from Jeff's Bronco Graveyard for $139. Here's a couple options with and without emissions holes (dunno if you need rear or midship):

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-20320_1973-79_plastic_19_gallon_rear_pick_up_tank.htm

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-20322_19_gallon_tank__1973_-_79_pick_up__plastic.htm

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-20325_1973-79_plastic_19_gallon_side_tank_with_ems_hole.htm


And here's their steel tanks for $100:

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-20305_19_gal__steel_tank_73-79_ford_truck.htm

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-20306_19_gal__steel_tank_73-79_pu.htm

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-20307_19_gal__steel_tank_1973-78_pu.htm

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-20308_19_gallon_steel_tank_1973-79_pu.htm


And just for fun...here's their 38 gallon steel tank for $375:

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-20309_38_gal__steel_tank_1973-78_pick-up.htm

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-20310_38_gal__steel_tank_1973-79_pick-up.htm




As I said...I think it would just be cheaper to get a new tank. In my area, it's usually $80 to start the pricing for a cleaning...and it's usually starts around $120 for a patching/sealing for something that may or may not hold.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Me and dad fixed one on a escort that had a crack in it and we just used JB weld. Theres some clear stuff out there but I cant remember the name of it but we also used that to put in a return line in my jeep tank.

 

[LEB Ben]

Yeah Dan...I'll agree, JB has worked for me in the past before too...but usually it's just a bandaid. On top of that, it seems like he has a reeeeally big/bad crack, and I'm not sure I'd be willing to risk losing all my gas...haha. I prefer to fix it right the first time...but who knows, the JB might just work for him and hold for a good long time.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Yeah I say if its good enough to hold a caterpillar block together its good for anything else that ill use it for. Theres also a thing I saw on Powerblock awhile ago and it was a gun that let ya weld plastic and it gave ya little plastic rods and everything. Might want to look it up and see how much I cant remember, but that seems like a more permanant repair.

 

[tomtoc]

i bought a new one, then JB'd my old one. it's sitting in the garage waiting to be sold or pitched. seems to hold just fine.