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Damaged threads in the gas tank

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bob hughes

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Well my saga continues in the rear of the car. I have just put a new gas tank in the boot and have stripped one or two of the threads in the top of the tank where the sender fits. I first installed the sender with a rubber gasket but found that it passed fuel. I changed it for a cork seal and blow me down if I did not strip least one of the threads whilst tightening it down, I had not used much force but the screw just turns. I am in the process of reproducing the fix that I developed on the old tank that was hand made by someone. They had used self tappers and a rubber seal and I converted that to set screws and cork gasket - worked a treat.

I am trying something different with this one, the first one incorporated RivNuts but I intend tapping the threads into 6mm ali. I will post details on this thread when my piece of ali arives.

:cheers:

Bob
 
Bob,

I'm not completely grasping what your fix is, but why not install Helicoils or tap the original threads oversize?
 
We are talking about a sheet thickness of 2 mm which the tank is made of, I could go to m4 thread but in 2mm sheet I would not expect any better result. I will take images of the fix.

:cheers:

Bob
 
So the tank manufacturer didn't add any extra material for the sending unit mounting flange? The flange of an original tank is about 5 mm (0.2") thick (steel). I take it that your tank (and the flange) is aluminum. Ouch.
 
Bob_Spidell said:
Consider rivnuts:

www.harborfreight.com

Threaded Insert Riveter Kit

Amazing deals on this Threaded Insert Riveter Kit at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
Click to expand...
Yeah that is great BOB:
They have a selection of these tools economically priced to handle specially working a given metal .
 
:mad::mad: Oh dear, I must find a darkened room, talk about egg on face. I removed the sender to check on all the dimensions and found that I had used some longer screws and they had not been fully driven home, the threads were fine and there was a reinforcing ring fitted around the opening. I refitted everything and tightened up all the screws properly this time and every thing appears to be fine.
Note to self, put your glasses on next time. I guess my experience with the old tank had made me paranoid about it.

:cheers:
Click to expand...

Bob
 
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