Row Boat Motor Tank Repair

[Buccaneer]

Started working on the gas tank for the Wisconsion M RBM.
It "feels" fairly solid overall, but after wire wheeling I could
see some obvious pin holes. I soldered them up then proceeded
to de-rust the insides with phosphoric acid. I only let it soak
for 45 minutes or so, but had to "re-add" the acid half way
thru that leaked out. 🙁
From little I can see looking in the little "fill cap", the tank in no
way close to being clean enough inside to add gas tank sealer.
Now I’d have about twenty more pin holes to solder up if I want
to let the acid soak over night. Not sure if I’d forever being chasing
pin holes, or wind up with nothing left by the time the tank is
clean enough inside for sealer.
What would you do???
– Make, or have made, a new tank?
-Try to open up the old tank, and clean the insides mechanically?
-Continue as I am?

I enjoyed 10th grade metal shop 45 years ago, making little tin boxes, etc.,
but then I had access to metal shears and brakes.
Thoughts? Thanks!

---

Attachments:

Prepare to be boarded!

[bill-loveland]

I’d go with the tank sealer – maybe give it two coats to be sure

After all, it’s never going to be pressurized, right?

[Buccaneer]

quote bill_loveland:

I’d go with the tank sealer – maybe give it two coats to be sure

After all, it’s never going to be pressurized, right?

Bill, I’ll solder up the worst pin holes again tomorrow, and continue
with the phosphoric acid and a hand full of screws to shake around inside.
Just hope I can keep up with the pin holes as the rust eats away inside
the tank! Thanks.

Prepare to be boarded!

[kees]

.
keep the tank, try to repair it and you still have it original !
my way;
when you have a pin hole, clean the surface, take a small hammer, smash a very little dent in it,
take your torch and a small drop of tin fills the dent with the pin hole
work your way through the entire tank and a piece of sandpaper does the rest.
if it not works, remove the top of the tank and repair it from the inside
after you clean it with a sandblaster
good luck
I can tell you ….it works ! ( experience )
.

[lyks2tinkr]

I highly recommend the Damon Redkote sealer.
It is made for tanks like that. Solder the pinholes and follow the instuctions. Use two coats.
It stays flexible. It’s all I use.
I had a similar situation on my OA55 tank. I soldered the pin holes and lined it. That was 11 years ago and gallons and gallons of gas have been through the tank with no issues.
If used per directions it’s extremely durable.
A quart of it goes a long way.

[Buccaneer]

quote kees:

.
keep the tank, try to repair it and you still have it original !
my way;
when you have a pin hole, clean the surface, take a small hammer, smash a very little dent in it,
take your torch and a small drop of tin fills the dent with the pin hole
work your way through the entire tank and a piece of sandpaper does the rest.
if it not works, remove the top of the tank and repair it from the inside
after you clean it with a sandblaster
good luck
I can tell you ….it works ! ( experience )
.

Kees, I suppose denting in the pin hole would save time sanding down the solder later on.
Good idea.

Is there a lip on the sidewalls that the top of the tank fits into?
What’s the best procedure to remove the top? Start heating the seam
near the filler cap so one has something to pull on, then just heat and
work your way around the top?
Thanks.

Prepare to be boarded!

[Buccaneer]

quote Lyks2Tinkr:

I highly recommend the Damon Redkote sealer.
It is made for tanks like that. Solder the pinholes and follow the instuctions. Use two coats.
It stays flexible. It’s all I use.
I had a similar situation on my OA55 tank. I soldered the pin holes and lined it. That was 11 years ago and gallons and gallons of gas have been through the tank with no issues.
If used per directions it’s extremely durable.
A quart of it goes a long way.

Thanks for the tip. I’ve never used Damon sealer before, but I’ll read up on it.
I believe what I used on other tanks was POR-15 gas tank sealer. Seemed
to work okay, but have no long term results to report.

Prepare to be boarded!

[Buccaneer]

quote Lyks2Tinkr:

I highly recommend the Damon Redkote sealer.
It is made for tanks like that. Solder the pinholes and follow the instuctions. Use two coats.
It stays flexible. It’s all I use.
I had a similar situation on my OA55 tank. I soldered the pin holes and lined it. That was 11 years ago and gallons and gallons of gas have been through the tank with no issues.
If used per directions it’s extremely durable.
A quart of it goes a long way.

I just ordered a quart of it, as I didn’t see it in pints. Is the can resealable,
and will a "once opened" can stay good for future use for a while?
POR-15 says "use the whole can", and not to re-use it, but I have before.

Prepare to be boarded!

[bill-loveland]

My only experiance has been with a sloshing sealer for aircraft application

[lyks2tinkr]

I used the same can of Redkote for several years as it really doesn’t take much to do a small tank. It can be thinned with acetone per instruction.
Yes,the can is resealable.

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