Any tips for welding on my fuel tank?

[wrench]

Little leary about asking after the last welding question I had but here it goes. I am going to drill a hole in my fuel tank to accommidate a fuel pick up line , and then weld the nut it is attached to, to the fuel tank. I will be using a vacuum and also be using plenty of grease on my drill bit and will be going slow. As for the welding I only have 1/4 tank of fuel and will be welding at approx. at the same level as the filler cap. Anything I should know. Do I leave my fuel cap open while I'm welding? etc

HASTA LA VISTA AMIGO!!
  wrench

[Chopper Scott]

Static electricity has caused quite a few injuries Jim. I had a friend get burned bad years ago when he began putting diesel into a metal 5 gallon can that had been used for gasoline. If you notice at gas pumps they require you to remove containers and place them on the ground before filling them. Later

[kyle4501]

Welding metal together is easy.

KNOWING & UNDERSTANDING what is going on in the puddle & area around it is something else entirely.

In my work I see lots of 'professional' welders. Some are good & know what they're doing. Some, not so much.
Some think that they are experts since they can strike an arc.


If I HAD to have a fuel tank welded on, I'd hire it out (based on recommendations & past performance) & have them call me when they're finished. That way I avoid the risk to what is really important - me, myself & I.

Some things ain't worth the potential savings. . . .



Good luck in whatever path you take.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Guy's,

I had a friend fabricate mine out of a block of aluminum.  It took him an hour to make it. Pretty simple.

I cut a 2 1/2" hole in my tank to recieve this 3 1/2" flange. Then I used a rubber gasket and 4 screws.

Good Luck
Nick-

[luvrbus]

If you don't feel safe about welding on the tank check with marine dealers for years when we relpaced a metal tank they had fitting with threads and a neoprene washer that you drilled a starter hole and screw the fitting with a screen filter and had threads for a pickup tube into any location on the tank.I don't know if living the plastic world if the fittings are still available now or not. For me it would be no problem to weld a fitting I would clean both parts good use acid and sliver solder works for me and has for years Good luck

[busshawg]

well thanks once again for all of your imput, lots of good advice. I like the bulk head fitting idea. Same deal only less work and no welding.  I aso appreiciate all of you safety concerns about welding on a fuel tank.

Thank-you

[Chopper Scott]

I like the bulk head route better myself also. It looks better and with vibrations and such a direct weld into the tank could eventually cause the tube to break at the weld. You won't have to worry when drilling except for any fillings getting into the tank. Later