Wet Tank

[KlaasyT]

Hi,is there a good method to repair an oil tank? I pulled mine this week,had it steam cleaned only to find a number of pin holes in it.
I hoped the leak was the sender gasket! I'm guessing a used one might be hard to find.
Clarence

[Gearbox]

Used ones are around, but depending on where you get it from, they may get spendy. If the inside surface of the tank is good and not rusted, you can weld, braze, or soder the pin holes closed. I've also heard of people using JB Weld epoxy with good results. Depends on the extent of the damage and your abilities, but you can fix just about anything.

[Tom F.]

Be careful, the oil goes directly from the tank to your crank. No filter until it's on its way back, via the scavenge pump and hoses. If your tank is rusting from the inside, you need a new one. These were copper plated steel in the '72s. Does Porsche sell them? This is one of those parts where new is the only way to go, IMHO, unless someone you know and trust vouches for a used tank. If the rust consists of pinholes on the top, from the outside (sort of a shelf for dirt and damp), then you may be able to fix it with lead or brass. I have seen it done, but I have never tried it myself.

[jhora]

Clarence,

I have repaired small pin holes in an early oil tank with JB Weld. Had good results.
I have also thought about using fuel tank sealer inside the oil tank. But never have on an oil tank. Used it on a fuel tank with good results. Maybe someone else has done this to an oil tank.

John

[KlaasyT]

Thanks for the replies.
The holes were mostly at the top of the tank. The rust is external.The inside looks good but you can see only so much. I've had it brazed and am now looking for a suitable coating to prevent any more external rust issues. A new tank from Pelican or Stoddards is $1050.00 +. I don't know of any aftermarket available.
I could have an aluminum tank fabricated for maybe the trunk but that's a lot of oil lines under the car. Probably good cooling though!

Clarence