M38A1 fuel tank options

I'm need to do something to address a seeping tank. No real, noticable holes, but heavily rusted on the front side where dirt packed around it. It really seems fairly strong after chipping dirt/rust off it to consider lining it ... if such a process exists or is advised and economical. Allstate has a replacement for $250. Not horrible. I don't seem to be able to locate a "plastic" one online. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

from my experience the linings are 'snake oil'. better off with a new tank. are you looking for a stock m38a1 (15gal sticks out under the body) or the cj (10gal doesn't stick out)?

 

Thanks Karl. I haven't heard much good about the lining goop but thought I'd ask. I would just as soon go with the below-the floor original size ... unless there's a big price differential ... but even if so, I'm thinking the fuel pickup might be different or something that would require more work, but I dunno.

 

Big price difference. CJ tanks are only $99 if you shop around. I bought the re-pop A1 tank for mine and will be installing it as soon as I can get the tub and tank painted. I wanted to keep as much of the orignial military equipment on mine as possible except springs, wheels, and tires.

 

Thanks for the reply. Is $250 about as cheap as you've found? Did your tank come primed and/or was it a crappy job seeing as how you're painting it?

 

Thanks Steve. Already pulled the tank. hit it w/ a wire wheel. Found about 2 dozen pin holes. Plugged them w/ plumbers epoxy putty (labeled as fuel tank putty). Got the bucket wire wheeled and sprayed w/ rust-restorer. Will be filling tank in 20 min to see how I did. Overall integredy of the tank seems good. Is Kreem applied professionally or DIY (afraid no time to look it up now).
Upon edit: I'm just trying to patch it for now. I will be doing a perm fix ... I just like to drive it every day

 

My M38a1 tank had a bunch of pin hole rusted in the bottom. I fixed them with solder. Then I coated it with rust converter and repainted it. I'm amazed it hasn't leaked in in 5 years. If you plan on fixing it yourself. Be very carefull it could be a a fire hazard with the risk of explosion.

 

Thanks Scott. Warnings duley noted. Good job on your tank!

The epoxy putty didn't work for me, just for the recoed.

Off to out back to get my top-feed jerry can on my I6 powered wood chipper so I can go get the mail, etc, while I figure this situation out

 

...Steve's right, I used Kreem on motorcycle a number of times with positive results. Gotta get all the flakes out Muratic acid and compressed air seemed to do it for me.....

 

I sent the tank in my m38 out to get coated. Comes with a lifetime warrenty and I still keep the orginal tank. Did however cost and arm and a leg

 

Thanks, I'll check into the goops and what services are available locally

 

This'll work till my new tank is delivered ... don't too much care if the bomb-waiting-to-go-off is under me or behind me. The bungy holding the can fast to the body may be a bit less secure than OEM though 8)

 

Mine was red-oxide primered so I am going to paint it OD all around before I install. My original tank was rusted from the outside in from years of dirt accumulated and allowed to get wet. The most amazing thing is that the fuel tank well only has some pinholing and isn't completely cratered.

 

Wound up ordering from Walck's. Don't know what it will look like but hopefully at least primered.
Mine was in exact same condition as yours. The gas and dirt even created a kindof concrete and I had to pry the tank out of the well.

 

My gas tank well was completely rusted away. It was my gas tank that only had about a dozen pin holes in it.

I'm amazed how much debris get down there in a short time. Especily when the top is off. Already had to clean it out once this year.

 

Mine was almost concreted as well. Just a little diligence from a previous owner would go a long way. I think my tank came from Walck's also. I need to find a new server so I can post progress pics on my jeep, I no longer have access to the old one.