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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 397 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 397 | I need to replace the leaking gasoline shut-off valve and gas line running to the fuel pump. I will order new parts.
I am scared to work around gas tanks. Does anyone out there have some good suggestions on how to safely approach this issue? The tank has about 5 gallons of gas in it. I know I have to put this gas in a container, however, I'm very concerned about the vapors and a potential explosion. Any thoughts on how to handle this situation that will put my mind at ease?
"Lucille" ..... Proud Member of the "Southern Stovebolts" David Wolff 1946 Chevy 1/2-ton In the Gallery | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 | No open flames, no smoking and no grinding or sanding that may produce sparks. Keep a good size working fire extinguisher handy. Really is a reasonably safe operation as long as your careful and insist anyone working around you or with you follow the rules too. Try to do it outside if you can, just more room to get away from a bad situation if need be. You can do it, piece of cake! 
Last edited by Justhorsenround; 07/04/2016 8:38 PM.
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 574 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2012 Posts: 574 |
1949 Dodge Coronet 1955 2nd Chevy 4400 1.5 ton 1955 2nd Chevy 3100 1/2 ton 1955 2nd Chevy 3100 1/2 ton 1957 Chevy 5400 LCF 2 ton 1966 Dodge D100 Sweptline 1968 Chevy P20 stepvan 1969 GMC LWB pickup 1972 GMC Sprint 1974 CP30 shorty bus There are three things that I've learned never discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.----Linus Van Pelt Trying to understand the behavior of some people is like trying to smell the color 9  | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | Grab a regular gasoline storage can and a big funnel. Drain the gas into the can and store it out of the sun and away from heat sources, etc. Now if you're concerned about vapors, remove the gas cap and attach an air hose to the tank outlet. Run air through the tank for a few minutes and you'll purge out enough vapors to eliminate any risk while working around the tank.
I have soldered and/or welded on gas tanks by filling the empty tank with CO2 or even exhaust gas, to purge the oxygen out of the tank. No oxygen, no possibility of fire or explosion!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 | Think of it as you would when filling up your tank at a gas station. Common sense dictates no open flames.
Handling gas only gets dicey when you have a significant spill. This generates lots of fumes. Gas as a liquid is not as dangerous as one would assume. You can have a stable jar of gas and actually snuff out a lit match in it. DO NOT TRY THIS!!!. I was a very young, ignorant, grossly unsupervised, young lad when I discovered this stupid fact (right after I learned that a Styrofoam cup was the world's worst choice of a container for pouring gas into).
Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 | When I drained the tank on my 38 master, I used siphon tube with a starting bulb on it. It took a while but with the tube in the gas can, there was very little fumes. I was concerned too and it was inside my garage in winter. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 91 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 91 | Don't use a trouble light with an old school bulb,..... gas on bulb, bulb pops, big fire or explosion. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | When welding fuel tanks, etc., I always fill with water, then tilt the tank so weld area is just above water line. Alcohol rinse tank mixes with any remaining water, removing all traces.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,061 Big Bolt Forum Moderator | | Big Bolt Forum Moderator Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,061 | When welding fuel tanks, etc., I always fill with water, then tilt the tank so weld area is just above water line. Alcohol rinse tank mixes with any remaining water, removing all traces.
Ed My dad did that years ago, blew himself out of the garage! I like Jerry's idea of filling with exhaust gas or ever putting dry ice in it to get rid of oxygen. Too much oxygen in water! (although I am too chicken to weld on a gas tank myself!) | | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 678 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 678 | If you're scared to work around gas tanks and gas fumes it will be well worth the peace of mind to have a professional do the work for you.
1951 Chevy Panel Truck
| | | | | Joined: May 2013 Posts: 6 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2013 Posts: 6 | The idea of welding a gas tank sort of freaks me out....  But then again... I'm not a welder not did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 4,886 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 4,886 | I welded a hydraulic tank a few months back, I drained out as much oil as we could, then power washed what was left. Before welding, I ran a hose from the tail pipe into the tank opening. This removed the oxygen, so no oil explosion!
With todays modern gasoline, a few days laying out in the direct sun will dry out all the fuel and vapors. Ace Hardware and I'am sure other stores, sell fire extinguishers in small spray paint sizes cans. These are nontoxic, Halon "type" which when sprayed removes all oxygen from the area. They would work great for this type of welding.
joe
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