Gas tank question

[ccautoupholstery]

I got my Tanks Inc. In-tank pump in the mail and am about ready to install it in my Brothers Trucks bed fill tank that Ive had in my 67 for a few years now. I have drained the tank and flushed it with water for about a half hr but am still a little nervous about cutting my 4 1/2" hole in it. Anything else I can do to make sure I dont blow myself up? Leave it full or water while I cut?

[mongocanfly]

I washed mine out 2x with soap and water...and rinsed it several times...then did a sniff test...couldnt smell and gas so I proceeded on..

[REDROCKER652002]

Ask the wife or significant other to do it for you LOL Teasing for those who offend easily.

[nsb29]

blow fresh air through it as you cut

[mongocanfly]

I assume you'll be using a hole saw?..
If your worried , air may not be the best thing to purge the tank with..air is one leg of the fire triangle...nitrogen, argon, or some other nonflammable gas would be best if you think you need a purge.
But soap and water will do fine..I cut the whole end of my tank ...
I even cut a propane tank in half with a torch one time...I was a nervous Nelly on that one...but i used the soap and water on it as well...

[Captainfab]

If you are worried about an explosion, run a hose from a vehicle exhaust into the tank for a few minutes prior to cutting. If course you will want to do this outside and be cautious about breathing too much exhaust.

[Wgesnerjr]

Fill it with water then cut the hole. Once done drain the water and rinse out any metal shavings.

[nsb29]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

I assume you'll be using a hole saw?..
If your worried , air may not be the best thing to purge the tank with..air is one leg of the fire triangle...nitrogen, argon, or some other nonflammable gas would be best if you think you need a purge.
But soap and water will do fine..I cut the whole end of my tank ...
I even cut a propane tank in half with a torch one time...I was a nervous Nelly on that one...but i used the soap and water on it as well...

I have welded and cut dozens of tanks over the years buy using an air hose after you have washed it out you Dilute the gas fumes to a point where they are not going to go bang but do what you feel safe with

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by Wgesnerjr

Fill it with water then cut the hole. Once done drain the water and rinse out any metal shavings.

Bingo!

[paul mora]

Here is some information about explosive levels. Image result for gasoline flammable rangewww.workplace-safety-nc.com
The lower flammable limit or lower explosive limit (LFL or LEL) of gasoline is 1.4 percent; the upper flammable limit or upper explosive limit (UFL or UEL) is 7.6 percent. This means that gasoline can be ignited when it is in the air at levels between 1.4 and 7.6 percent.

Flammable & Combustible Liquids - Hazards : OSH Answers

Use this information to help you through the cutting process. First off you need a spark or something to ignite or cause the problem. If you are drilling the hole keep it lubricated with some kind of cutting oil the lubricate and cool your bit. If you are still concerned used your shop gas vac to push or pull air through the tank and that would bring it well below the LEL % shown above. Alway be cautious but just be safe through knowledge of what cause the problem and develop a valid solution

[pilotXC]

I read vinegar will neutralize fuel, but I cut on mine and didn't have a problem, granted it was out of the vehicle for a couple weeks before I did any cutting or welding.

[ccautoupholstery]

Thanks everyone for the responses...good news, I didn't blow myself up lol. My pump is in and tank mounted back in the truck. Now I'm just waiting on my AN lines and fittings to get here and I'm finally going to be able to fire it up! Some light at the end of the tunnel

[LS short box]

Another option to get the gas smell out of a gas tank is take it a radiator shop and they can put it in their cleaning tank. They come out with zero smell.

[bigmoe]

Years ago I had a tank with a pin hole leak. The shop I had fix it sent it to get steam cleaned before soldering the hole.

[REDROCKER652002]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

I assume you'll be using a hole saw?..
If your worried , air may not be the best thing to purge the tank with..air is one leg of the fire triangle...nitrogen, argon, or some other nonflammable gas would be best if you think you need a purge.
But soap and water will do fine..I cut the whole end of my tank ...
I even cut a propane tank in half with a torch one time...I was a nervous Nelly on that one...but i used the soap and water on it as well...

Off topic, but I saw a cool YouTube video where they took two propane tanks and cut them and made a really cool Fire Table type thing. I was thinking of giving it a try, but only would be able to use a grinding wheel. Would that be tough to do that way?

[mongocanfly]

RR.no way would I try cutting a propane tank with a grinding wheel or cutoff disc..
when those tanks are formed and welded ,there is a lot of tension on the metal..when I cut it with the torch, and got near the end of the cut,the last little bit flew loose and nearly knocked the torch outta my hand..
I would be afraid the same thing happening would pinch the cutting disc causing some injuries
I was making a smoker out of a 250gal tank is what I was doing..

[Hidesertchevy]

Carbon dioxide from your vehicle tail pipe ran in a hose will remove all the oxygen and will not allow combustion.