Repairing vacuum tank...

[Bill Dangora]

Hi all,
What is the best method for repairing the vacuum tank in sharks? I have tank out and have noticed cracking along the depressed (formed) areas on the front and rear panels of the tank. Should I solder these areas, braze them or ????
thanks,
Bill -1969 427/390

[Pat Bush]

Re: Repairing vacuum tank...

Bill:

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say solder. But it really depends on the metal. Steel I generally braze. Copper and Brass I generally solder or braze depending on thickness, and aluminum well, I usually have that heli-arc welded. Unsure if these tanks are aluminum or steel. Feeling like aluminum. I think you might be able to solder it to given the correct flux.

Be aware that if these parts are under stress, they may crack again (not at the weld joint, but elsewhere) due to fatigue in the metal.

I suppose that didn't help at all but if you tell me a bit more, I will call a professional welder I use and ask him what he would do.

Pat

[Wayne W.]

Re: Repairing vacuum tank...

The tanks are steel. Matter of fact, if I didnt know better I would say they were probably made by Luisianne or Maxwell House. I have had little luck with fixing them and making the repair last, but you can try. What happens is that they are so thin that they flex and after a time they fatigue crack. GM should be kicked for that one.

[Bill Dangora]

Re: Repairing vacuum tank...

Thanks for the responses.
Wayne,
What do you do for a replacement?