[i82much]

I drilled out my stock fuel tank pickup and put a 1/2 inch stainless line in. I sanded the line with 80 grit and I was going to JB weld it into the sending unit assembly. This will probably happen tomorrow morning if someone doesn't save me from myself. I've heard of at least one person doing it successfully, but I thought I'd check one last time ...

If this is a bad idea, please tell me. And, of course, what should I use? Goal is to avoid having a sumped tank or bung in the bottom of the tank, I want it to look stock.

[russ467]

I tried to JB weld an ear that broke off my carburator base plate a long time ago. It worked until gas got on the JB weld and it would come apart.

[i82much]

Really? I was pretty sure JB weld was fuel resistant. I've heard of plenty of successful gas tank repairs, but what concerns me is that I want a permanent fix. Plus it's not just a pinhole, it's all the way around the pickup tube.

[84TA400]

I don't know about gas, but i used JB on a diesel fuel line, where it is exposed to the fuel, and no leaks yet, been about a year....

[i82much]

One important point, since I brought up the JB weld, I feel I need to point this out:

http://jbweld.net/faq.php

Note the question:

Is JB Weld Toxic?

The Answer:

No. J-B Weld is non-toxic. However, we do not recommend consuming the product.

That's classic, right?

[Matt Danger]

I can't give an argument for or against JB weld but I had a leak in the filler neck on my tank and I got some gas/oil sealant from the parts store. It's clear and dries hard and it's been 6 months with no failures yet. If JB weld doesn't end up working I'd recommend that.

[i82much]

I think I will give it a shot. If it fails, I'll post about it. Doesn't seem like too tough of a job. I'll let it cure before I ever fill the tank, too, so I suspect it will be ok. If not I'll try that gas/oil sealant.

[60man]

Originally Posted by 84TA400

I don't know about gas, but i used JB on a diesel fuel line, where it is exposed to the fuel, and no leaks yet, been about a year....

Ditto...I patched a leak on PowerStroke fuel tank with it...this was a "stick" of JB Weld..

[esahlin]

What kills the JB Weld is the Ehtanol or Methanol in most of todays gasoline. So I guess it depends on where you live in the states.and whats in your pump gas.....I think California is at 15% Ethanol and its the Ethanol that will soften JB Weld and most other epoxies rather quickly. If your running race gas, which most blends don't have Ethanol or Methanol you'll probably be fine. I believe Diesel fuel and aviation gas contain no Ethanol or Methanol and are rather benign to most epoxies.

[INJUNTOM]

i might have a better solution for you if it's not too late - i just drilled a hole like you mentioned, then used a piece of rubber fuel hose that is large enough to go over the metal line snugly, and fit snugly into the hole in the sender assembly....used about a 3" length.

you will want to get it onto the hard line to see how much it will expand, and then may have to use a burr in a die grinder to massage the hole in the sender to the right size. (or a round file)

then you will fit the section of rubber hose through the hole in the sender, then put the hard line through the piece of hose.

basically what you are doing is using it for a fuel grade grommet.

then what i did, was run the new hard line next to the original tube going down to the bottom of the tank, and hold it to that tube with small hose clamps.

then i went to autozone, and looked through their fuel tank "socks", "strainers", or whatever they call them, and found one that had the attaching hole on the end, that i could cut off, and slip over my 1/2" hard line, and secure on with a hose clamp.

then you will just put a rubber cap on the original fuel line that you aren't using anymore.

...but you could also use that original line for a fuel return if you were to want to. i didn't use a return line, so i just capped it.

[INJUNTOM]

BTW, i have used JB weld for sealing the well plugs on quadrojet carbs for about 15 years now, so i know that it will stay put with gasoline if prepped right.

using it to hold 2 pieces together is where the problem really comes in.

[Cliff R]

We've tested nearly every brand/type of epoxy available to seal up leaking fuel plugs on Q-jets. To date, The only ones that will successfully hold back fuel (and stay attached to the aluminum) are Marine Tex or Devcon. We get thousands of carbs in here for building, almost 100 percent of them leak right thru most of the expoxies that were used at some point to seal up the plugs.

Most carb builders don't use high pressure compressed air to detect leaking plugs. Filling the casting with solvent/fuel and letting it sit will not find small leaks.

FWIW, JB weld failed our testing procedure. We applied expoxy to plugs that we knew leaked, after bead blasting/degreasing around them. The epoxies were allowed to set up for several days, the carb was immersed in gasoline for 24 hours, removed and in most cases the expoxies were so "soft" they peeled right off!.......Cliff

[zippy]

I second the Devcon. Have used it in applications from carbs/fuel leaks, block repair, and even a metal filler for smooting the pitting before Powdercoating.

[i82much]

Injuntom I like your idea, and since I haven't done anything too drastic yet I may go that route.

My only concern is that now, there is almost an interference fit between the hard line (stainless) and the sending unit, once I wallow it out I can't go back.

Plus where do you get rubber fuel hose that fits over 1/2" ID hard line?

[i82much]

Just checked out Devcon, they make a lot of different products. Can you tell me which one specifically you guys use successfully?

[KS circutguy]

Marine Tex or Devcon, as Cliff said. The stuff flat works.

[i82much]

Picked up some Marine Tex grey this afternoon. Strange - JB weld claims to be gasoline resistant, Marine Tex only says diesel fuel resistant. Maybe I'll use Marine Tex on one side and JB weld on the other, hedge my bets.

[Skip Fix]

I think HO used Devcon in their old kits to seal bowls also.

[Skip Fix]

A friend got some Marine Tex on his skin and it caused a big reaction. He was using it to texture an aluminum head to look like cast iron.

[GTO Dan]

Permatex makes a two part putty epoxy called "Instant Gas Tank Repair".

I used it about a year ago when I "clearanced" the tank to fit a 3" tail pipe. The leak developed when the corner seam seperated...used this putty and never had another problem.