Cutting the top of the fuel tank to access inside

[Chriso100]

Hey all,
I need to cut an access panel into the top of my petrol tank. I can do the job and then re weld the flap together. My question is for anyone else that may have experience in this fuel tank job. How do I minimise the fine metal pieces created by cutting? Anyone got any tricks?
Chris

 

[krusing]

Hey all,
I need to cut an access panel into the top of my petrol tank. then re weld the flap together.

Dont like your chances without fire works !

I'm working down the Mornington Peninsula at the moment,
So If I see a lot of black smoke in the sky,
I will assume you gave it a crack !

 

[shane_3800]

You won't succeed.
I cut a tank open once, it's easy to do, the particles aren't your issue.
The issue is the tank being welded back together, try it and get back to me and let me know how you went welding it.
I know the answer.

 

[shane_3800]

If you want to fix the sender unit Castlemain rod shop used to do a weld in unit, I don't know if they still do.
The difference is that you get a thick ring to hang the bead around so you don't penetrate.
When welding thin panel to thin panel there needs to be zero gap.
Plus the tank is gal coated.

But with a thick ring you push into the thick metal and zig zag off to melt into the sheet, plus it heat sinks the weld.

 

[Draimond]

There's another thread that's talking about this at the moment:

https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/threads/vs-v6-died.303114/page-8

I like afstruct's solution to this.

 

[the_boozer]

modern fuel is that corrosive without the plating the weld will rust threw with in weeks even if you weld it liquid tight.

 

[HarryHoudini]

Probably STBO but we enlarged the fuel tank on our Rally car,guy doing it fillled it with water before cutting and same when braising(didn't weld) in the larger section.

 

[shane_3800]

modern fuel is that corrosive without the plating the weld will rust threw with in weeks even if you weld it liquid tight.

Not if you mig braze, I have that ability.

 

[the_boozer]

Not if you mig braze, I have that ability.

will it burn the plating off the inside? I used to soldier 2 cent pieces over holes in fuel tanks about the last time I successfully fixed a fuel tank.

 

[shane_3800]

will it burn the plating off the inside? I used to soldier 2 cent pieces over holes in fuel tanks about the last time I successfully fixed a fuel tank.

Likely.