Standard tank drain tube

[crazy steve]

One thing I'll note that is the OEM drain tube is spot-welded to a internal brace, and if you try to remove the old tube you may end up with a couple of small holes in the top of the tank if the spot welds let go. How well the new tube will do without this brace is a guess....

[dbeardslee]

One thing I'll note that is the OEM drain tube is spot-welded to a internal brace, and if you try to remove the old tube you may end up with a couple of small holes in the top of the tank if the spot welds let go. How well the new tube will do without this brace is a guess....

I took a look with my boroscope and I could see the brace you're talking about. It's kind of a "V" shaped hanger, but I can't see any obvious welds on it. Looks like the tube is just resting on it or maybe clipped in, but there's definitely rust holding the parts together. I'll have to see if I can reach a hand up there with the fuel gauge panel removed, but I kind of doubt I'll be able to get one of my meat hooks up there. Definitely going to make things more difficult. Like my uncle used to say, if it's not one thing it's two.

Thanks for the heads up.

[crazy steve]

The reason I know this is I did have a couple of small holes in the top of the tank I attempted to repair when I jerked the old tube out...

[dbeardslee]

The reason I know this is I did have a couple of small holes in the top of the tank I attempted to repair when I jerked the old tube out...

I got the tube out of another tank without any damage to the top, but it's been so long ago I don't remember futzing with that bracket. But, sometimes rust is your friend. If I can get a hold of it with something maybe a little gentle persuasion will work. I think I'll start by removing the fuel gauge float assembly and see if I that gets me any better access.

Might be less trouble to extend the filler neck with a weld-on neck and fill the whole area - but that's a last resort. That doggone recessed gas cap arrangement is almost more trouble than it's worth. It's times like this I wish I'd bought a special.

[DiverRay]

That doggone recessed gas cap arrangement is almost more trouble than it's worth. It's times like this I wish I'd bought a special.

Yeah, and how far would you get on a tank???
If you do end up with pinholes in the top of the tank, the Solder will fill them and NOT leak.

[dbeardslee]

Yeah, and how far would you get on a tank???
If you do end up with pinholes in the top of the tank, the Solder will fill them and NOT leak.

I do like that big gas tank. I'm giving serious thought to extending the filler neck and just filling the entire recessed area. Then I won't have to worry about drain tubes. I could just seal it up on both ends and never have to worry about it again.

[DiverRay]

Or, if you have a special tank, cut the filler out with some of the tank, and use it to weld in place of the square hole left in the standard tank after cutting out the neck and drain tube. You would probably get about 2 cups more fuel available after the mod....
Oh, and I think I have a tank in storage that would be available for "parts".

[dbeardslee]

Or, if you have a special tank, cut the filler out with some of the tank, and use it to weld in place of the square hole left in the standard tank after cutting out the neck and drain tube. You would probably get about 2 cups more fuel available after the mod....
Oh, and I think I have a tank in storage that would be available for "parts".

I kind of like that idea. I can get a weld-on neck extension and a vented filler cap for about $20. And that way I can just leave the drain tube in place and plug it. But you've got me thinking...

[dbeardslee]

Okay, after cogitating on Ray's suggestion, here's what I've decided to attempt. I ordered a weld on filler neck and cap, but I'm going to cut out the recessed part of the tank and get rid of the tube. I figure with the big hole I'll have with the recess removed I should be able to get my hand back where the bracket is, and I'll see if I can cut the tube loose from the bracket. Might be able to get my dremel on it.

I'll leave a little lip around the edge so I can have a flat piece of steel with a hole in the middle welded in place. Then they can weld the neck on over the hole, braze shut the hole at the rear, and I should be good to go.

These are the parts I ordered ($18.19 including shipping) -

Weld on neck


Vented Cap

[dbeardslee]

WOW! Are those guys at Filler Neck Supply Company ever FAST!! Three minutes after I placed the order they sent me a USPS tracking number. That's gotta be some kind of a record.