1972 fastback. nwe 532k

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broady_6
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by broady_6 » 14th November 2018 - 6:21pm

You are right, those paint fumes wouldn't take much ignition once they are nicely atomised!

This is the sort of thing ive used, it has a pan function so it sweeps back and forth across a panel for uniformish heating.

https://www.poundstretcher.co.uk/halogen-heater
The sultan of swing

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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 14th November 2018 - 6:44pm

Pan function would definitely be handy. I can source one from
Northern Ireland I,d say, and get it delivered, fingers crossed.
Thanks.

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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 15th November 2018 - 3:50pm

Heater purchased at 25 euro, not too bad.
Surprising amount of heat from such a small compact unit.

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broady_6
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by broady_6 » 15th November 2018 - 5:44pm

:thumbsup: no risk of a fan blowing rubbish at your lovely paint too
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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 15th November 2018 - 7:24pm

Oh I will be keeping a good eye on things when I get going.

Plan is to turn a mobile tower section into a heated mobile paint area,

totally enclosed when the spraying is done. Thats the plan anyway.

I,m extra careful when it comes to finishing cleanliness, comes from years

of french polishing antique furniture.

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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 17th November 2018 - 1:41pm

Currently working on the petrol tank. Cleaning, prepping priming
the usual.
Although it was never leaking, and the front forward facing lower section
is scabby enough and pitted, and i,d say its probably a few miles away from a pinhole.
Question,

Is there any pre emptive strike I can do on it at this stage, that will prolong its life a bit further.
I have considered leading the pits, but I,m not to keen to put flame near a possible pinhole......poooooof.

All advice welcome...thanks

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broady_6
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by broady_6 » 17th November 2018 - 3:21pm

Liquid petrol tank liner/sealer stuff is good or send it away to a professional firm to have it sealed. Know anyone in the aircraft trade, PRC is good stuff
The sultan of swing

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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 17th November 2018 - 5:05pm

Dont have a leak yet, and dont want one either. Thats why I want a pre emptive
solution while its on the bench.

But thanks to my vw related OCD, and lifelong collecting of other folks vw tat,
I have found a perfect fastback tank, in me stash :unibrow:

And speaking of me vw ocd, coming here has made it far worse than it was, considering all you chaps
have the same ailment :nod: :nod:

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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 17th November 2018 - 7:17pm

Existing tank before cleaning all the crud off,

Image

Cleaned tank showing all the pitting on the front face.

Image

Better tank from me stash of fasty bits,

Image

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broady_6
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by broady_6 » 17th November 2018 - 9:19pm

Id still consider a lining if you can. Its something id been thinking of doing to mine having suffered a leaky tank in the past
The sultan of swing

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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 17th November 2018 - 10:05pm

I agree thats a definite part of the tank resto. Just happy that I have a better tank than what I started with.

Whats the best way of cleaning out any loose metal inside. I'm thinking a rinse with water and sand

attached to the drum of a cement mixer to give it a good scrub. Thoughts

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broady_6
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by broady_6 » 17th November 2018 - 10:08pm

id use diesel rather than water just to prevent it getting into any of the seams and promoting more rust

Then a final wash with petrol of thinners
The sultan of swing

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937carrera
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by 937carrera » 19th November 2018 - 12:08am

Diesel & pebbles / metal chain work well
David
1974 412LS Variant
1973 412LE 4 door Fastback / Saloon

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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 19th November 2018 - 10:19am

After judicious wirebrushing on the better second looking tank,
I now have a major hole by the outlet at the base of the tank,
so obviously more corrosion there than i anticipated.

The first choice tank has so many craters over the surface, its
akin to the lunar surface. And i dont want to waste time wirbrushing this further
and find another large hole below the surface of the existing paint.

Question,

How far off the mark is the nearest available new beetle tank.
Are new fastbank tanks available anywhere.
Good second tanks I assume are rare, and a gamble.
Is fabbing a new tank really a viable route to go.

Thanks

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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 19th November 2018 - 1:03pm

I believe the fastback tanks measures 28 1/2" x 19", and the beetle
is 28 1/2" x 16" according to some info on the web.

So accomodating a 3" fillet either front or back of the tank is not a major hurdle,
and I can make it a bolt up affair thats easily reversible to stock if I ever need to.

So at the moment a brand new beetle tank sounds tempting, and the way to go.

Sounds so simple as to lead me to think I,m missing something??

Anyway, I,m going to completely strip the existing one with the hole , and examine the innards
then make my decision as to whether attempt an epoxy repair on the hole.
Subject to the condition of the inner part of the tank.

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broady_6
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by broady_6 » 19th November 2018 - 1:39pm

I don't know about the clearance on the underside of the tank, something makes me think the beetle tank is deeper. The type 3 tank is also flat on top to give a nice boot space, I seem to recall beetle tanks have a hump at the back.

I would get your tank repaired, best bet is leave it try for a week (I assume its already been months) then purge is with an air line for a few hours. Then find someone who can tig weld. My friend repaired my tank after doing that and neither of us got blown up. It was also petrol tight again and has been for years.

If you struggle you can always ship it to me and I can get it sorted for you. (I know cost might not help here)
The sultan of swing

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937carrera
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by 937carrera » 19th November 2018 - 1:40pm

You can get fuel tanks reconditioned which includes an expxy coating on the inside as well. No more rust issues
David
1974 412LS Variant
1973 412LE 4 door Fastback / Saloon

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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 19th November 2018 - 1:50pm

Appreciate all the advice, thanks.
If i end up with a reasonable tank that can accomodate arepair,
I,ll go that route. But tank one the original one, is heavily cratered
and weak walled too. Even though it hasn't leaked, its a fill away from a tea bag.

I,ll know more later.
Shipping to and fro I think is a last resort due to cost, but thanks for the offer.

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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 19th November 2018 - 4:49pm

Tank no 2 wirebrushed and no further shocks,

Image

Outlet of tank no 2 showing corrosion at out let,

Image

Close up of corrosion,

Image

View from inside tank no 2 outlet area

Image

View from inside tank no 2 close to the corrosion hole

Image

View into the tank through the filler outlet

Image

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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 19th November 2018 - 4:53pm

Its been suggested to me by a classic VW tech to re fab a beetle tank,
as a fasty tank is unobtainable. Which is what I was considering too,

so still on the drawing board at the moment...

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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 19th November 2018 - 10:34pm

The dished outlet at the base of the tank appears to be the most corroded.

Its a tank I have had for about 7 years hanging up in the shed, its never been
near petrol since i,ve had it. I,m considering cutting out the complete 100mm
dish, and fabbing up a new dished outlet and mig welding it in. There is no petrol smell at all,
and I,ll put the camper exhaust fumes through it for good measure...

Thoughts..

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937carrera
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by 937carrera » 19th November 2018 - 11:25pm

Petrol ignites / explodes because of the vapours, oxygen and an ignition source. If the tank has been left to allow the fuel to evaporate, then there won't be any vapour.

Why don't you get the MIG out and repair it just like any other bodywork repair.
David
1974 412LS Variant
1973 412LE 4 door Fastback / Saloon

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kaddy
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by kaddy » 19th November 2018 - 11:33pm

937carrera wrote:
19th November 2018 - 11:25pm
Petrol ignites / explodes because of the vapours, oxygen and an ignition source. If the tank has been left to allow the fuel to evaporate, then there won't be any vapour.

Why don't you get the MIG out and repair it just like any other bodywork repair.
Yes thats what I,m edging towards.

Despite my best efforts all day I cant locate a new one at all. Tried over a doz online vw outlets,
UK Us Eu, definitely un obtainable. So if you got em hang on to them. And the couple of second hand
units that are on offer are worse looking than what I have .

If you see a mushroom cloud tomorrow from the west, you know I migged the wrong tank....

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broady_6
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Re: 1972 fastback. nwe 532k

Post by broady_6 » 20th November 2018 - 7:50am

Mig weld is porous and it will weep, thats why I suggested finding a friendly local tig welder. Hopefully there is someone near you with the kit and skills
The sultan of swing

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