Fuel Tank Interchange?

Steve HEF · Apr 22, 2011

Hi folks, new to the forums. I'm in charge of maintenance at a local town and have 3 tractors in the fleet of equipment, a 1981 3930, a 1980 2910 and a '78 Ford 445. The 445 and 2910 both have the fuel tanks leaking at the seam, the 3930 has a plastic tank. The dash area looks the same on all 3 machines, I was wondering if the plastic tank would fit the 2 older machines? Anyone know?

boggen · Apr 22, 2011

not sure, but someone might make a toss in, plastic bag kinda deal for tanks.

if you had a plastic welder. (like a regular stick welder for metal) but uses plastic sticks to weld plastic together.

if me though, if you will be pulling the tanks. i would just drop in new ones in. they can't be that expensive.

whodat526 · Apr 22, 2011

Steve HEF said:
Hi folks, new to the forums. I'm in charge of maintenance at a local town and have 3 tractors in the fleet of equipment, a 1981 3930, a 1980 2910 and a '78 Ford 445. The 445 and 2910 both have the fuel tanks leaking at the seam, the 3930 has a plastic tank. The dash area looks the same on all 3 machines, I was wondering if the plastic tank would fit the 2 older machines? Anyone know?

no the plastic tanks will not fit into the older two tractors

Steve HEF · Apr 22, 2011

Thanks. The tanks are over $900 from the dealer, I was hoping the plastic tank would bolt in and eliminate the possibility of further problems. My other thought is to remove the tanks and have the seams tigged. I'm concerned that with both tanks having the same problem that a new tank may as well, both tractors don't leak with less than half a tank in them. I don't have money in my budget to buy 2 new tanks either.

When I took this job, it became apparent there was no maintenance program in effect for equipment and I'm playing catch up. Lots of repairs to make with limited funds.

Caliche · Apr 22, 2011

Epoxy gas tank sealer? I had it done to an old Trooper, worked.

whodat526 · Apr 22, 2011

have u tried to find a aftermarket one i know they are out there i can get them for lots less than $900 p.m. me if u have any questions on where to get

banjodunn · Apr 27, 2011

G'day pull the steel tanks out and braze or silver solder the leaks, if you are not confident in doing it yourself then i know over here most radiator shops will weld fuel tanks for no more than prob $75 - $100 per tank, can't give you a price for sure as i weld my own when needed, alot cheaper than a replacement

Jon

Steve HEF · Apr 30, 2011

That was my thought banjodunn if the plastic tank isn't going to work. Since both the 445 and 2910 are leaking from the same area, I have concern about the design of the tank, and am concerned a steel replacement would eventually do the same thing.

I work for a municipality and have to abide by a procurement policy that makes it difficult to purchase from just any vendor. Thanks for the help guys

jstern · Apr 30, 2011

There is a product that I have used on dirt bike gas tanks called Kreem. It will seal small leaks and rust by coating the inside of the gas tank with a thick enamel. You have to remove the gas tank, and if you have an nternal rust problem you have to put a bunch of loose nuts and bolts inside and shake the eck out of it. You then rinse the inside of the tank with the inclueded etching bath. Then when the tank is dry, you add the Kreem and slowly rotate the tank end-over-end, and side-to-side so the entire inside is coated. Then you let it dry and you should be back in bussiness.:thumbsup: