Life with a 3.9 litre V8 FHC

Well, after some discussion on the forum, I decided that the only way to go with this new tank was to get it properly treated before fitting. I bought the tank new from TD Fitchetts. I discovered that they are the company who has the original tooling for the tanks - so no matter who you buy one from, Fitchetts made it! So - I saved a few quid by getting it direct.

So - what do I seal it with. Many forum members have used POR15 tank sealer. Seems a neat product - but I'll be honest, I don't have faith that it'll get into EVERY corner and last the test of time. So, I called into a local company, Brownlow Radiators. They specialise in "RENU" plastic coating of tanks. I had a good chat with the owner who told me that most tanks he sees new are, quite frankly thin & rubbish. My new tank was well made, but not the heaviest grade of steel I've ever felt.

[More:]

The guys at Brownlow radiators cut open the tank in 3 places so as to get a spray right in from all angles. What they do in fact is polarise the tank with a +ve electrical charge. The paint has a -ve charge in it. So, when they spray, the paint literally throws itself into the dark recesses of the tank. Clever When they do this job - they seal the tank inside & out and bake it dry. You are left with what is in effect a fully synthetic tank with a metal inner.

While I had the tank in such good hands, they welded in a bung plug (free of charge!!!) This is the 1 thing these tanks really need. Cost of the whole work £100. I'd have spent half that on POR15 paints and wouldn't have been able to fit the bung.

Heres the finished job:

Note the bung.....

I've got all the suspension components cleaned up, derusted & primed. Next job is to fit the poly-bushes. Watch this space!