TRACTOR PARTS Allis Chalmers Case & David Brown Farmall & International Ferguson Ford & New Holland John Deere Massey Ferguson Massey Harris Minneapolis Moline Oliver & Cockshutt Kubota / Yanmar

TRACTOR MANUALS

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

sandblasting gas tank/the big boom

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register

Author

n8terry

09-18-2006 05:56:36

Report to Moderator

I want to sandblast a tractor that has the gas tank behind the seat. Its like a saddle tank.
The tractor is a IH 454 utility.

Is there a method that any of you guys know about that would eliminate the possiblity of something bad happening. I am concerned about the sparks from the sandblasting.

Any suggestions will be appreciated, thanks.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

JWCinMS

09-20-2006 15:29:02

Report to Moderator

Re: sandblasting gas tank/the big boom in reply to n8terry, 09-18-2006 05:56:36

The IH fuel tanks that crossed the top of the differential with a lobe going down each fender had problems with rusting out. If the tank was not kept full of fuel and the tractor sat for long periods of time condensation would cause the exposed metal on the inside of the tank to rust. If the drains on the bottom of the lobes were never used to drain off the water the tanks would rust near the bottom. If you sandblast the outside and you have corrosion on the inside you may blow through and have replace the tank. A friend bought a used 574 and started cleaning it up and found the crud on the outside was all that was keeping the fuel from seeping out. The new tank cost several hundred dollars. The new McCormick tractors use a similar design but use poly tanks.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Bill (Wis)

09-19-2006 20:12:25

Report to Moderator

Re: sandblasting gas tank/the big boom in reply to n8terry, 09-18-2006 05:56:36

I can't remember where I saw it or heard it but there is a way to "sandblast" with dry ice. Get it in rice grain pellets and have at it. Nothing left but carbon dioxide plus of course your residue from the metal.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

mjbrown

09-18-2006 10:28:29

Report to Moderator

Re: sandblasting gas tank/the big boom in reply to n8terry, 09-18-2006 05:56:36

Aside from the valid remarks about sand getting in places you don't want it, wet blasting (sand attachment for a pressure washer) won't make sparks.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

26Red

09-18-2006 08:57:17

Report to Moderator

Re: sandblasting gas tank/the big boom in reply to n8terry, 09-18-2006 05:56:36

You should be okay for sandblasting. I usually remove the tank (empty) and plug up the openings before blasting. No big deal. just use common sense.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

big jt

09-18-2006 08:28:35

Report to Moderator

Re: sandblasting gas tank/the big boom in reply to n8terry, 09-18-2006 05:56:36

I agree with Rusty. Sandblasting a whole tractor is asking for a major amount of trouble.

Don't think you can seal everything off. I had a bodyman do that with a pickup I once owned. Was putting in rocker panels and needed to blast some of the floor boards. He thought he had the dash sealed off "real well". As a result I got the privilage of replacing the Radio, Light switch, and speedo. I found sand in all of these componants plus quite a ways up in the steering column.

If you are working on the gas tank and concerned I would suggest the inert gas idea. I know peole have used car exhaust but I would be a little iffy about that. Modern cars are so clean their exhaust will still support combustion.

jm2cw

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Ian Dingwall

09-18-2006 07:24:20

Report to Moderator

Re: sandblasting gas tank/the big boom in reply to n8terry, 09-18-2006 05:56:36

I've heard of guys WELDING a gas tank after running car exhaust through it. Empty the tank, open a couple openings in it, run a hose from an exhaust pipe into one hole with another to let it out. Let it run for about a half-hour before you try anything. My buddys done it plenty of times, he said you can weld even with a bit of gas in the bottom, if youve given er this treatment. I've also personally cut 20lb propane tanks apart with a torch after filling them with water and draining them several times, and filling it with argon gas from a mig welder. Inert gas = no kaboom..... .

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Wild Bill

09-18-2006 10:25:10

Report to Moderator

Re: sandblasting gas tank/the big boom in reply to Ian Dingwall, 09-18-2006 07:24:20

Car exause is still VERY flamable (due to unburned fuel), you ever see a car throwing flames at a car show? Propane can be added for a longer flame, but it'll burn jsut fine with out it.

DO NOT TRY TO USE CAR EXHAUST AS INERT GAS!!!!!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Matt from CT

09-20-2006 15:45:54

Report to Moderator

Re: sandblasting gas tank/the big boom in reply to Wild Bill, 09-18-2006 10:25:10

When people die from car exhaust...

The primary culprit is Carbon Monoxide. That of course increases if the car is inside away from fresh air.

Irregardless, CO is the main culprit in poisoning. And CO is flammable...indeed, it's the same thing as "city gas" was before the days of natural gas and propane and where the old story of committing suicide by sticking your head in a stove came from. (Don't try that with modern stoves...natural gas won't poison ya, you'd need really good self-control to stay their and let yerself get asphixiated however you spell that word :) )

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

RustyFarmall

09-18-2006 07:01:20

Report to Moderator

Re: sandblasting gas tank/the big boom in reply to n8terry, 09-18-2006 05:56:36

In my opinion, you should never sandblast a complete tractor. The sand will find its way into places that you never thought it would, and do lots of damage because you can't get it out. The best way is to remove the individual parts from the tractor, and then sandblast each part seperately. Sanblasting a fuel tank is never a good idea unless the tank is from a derelict tractor that is being restored.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

[Options] [Printer Friendly] [Posting Help] [Return to Forum] [Log in to Reply]

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home | Forums

Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy