The tank is almost done. I had a moment this morning to get the final welding on the tank finished. I'm very pleased with how it all turned out - it's been a long road, but worth the trip. I still have to weld the bosses on for the front shield - but that's pretty much a wrap for this project. Next up, the battery box.

Jesus, Coburn, that looks great. It was a strategic decision to have the long seam inside the trunk rather than from underneath?



Is it a friction fit, or are you also welding tabs to hang it in the car?

I have a frame that will go on it today...full perimeter (with proper threaded fasteners, not sheet metal screws for anchoring it to the car). I did put the long seam on the top on the off chance that it may be stressed and cause a crack over time. At least that way I can have a look from time to time without having to roll around underneath the car.

It is just a tank, and not really subject to stress in that dimension (unless I take up wild a$$ braking - no way my car could accelerate fast enough to create the hammer of Thor slosh of fuel) - heck, AFAIK tanks are only stressed by the fuel they carry and the motion of the car, which is pretty negligible versus the rest of the car (WRT stress). The full perimeter frame does mean that vibrations and stresses of the body structure are passed along through the tank, but I'm sure the designers of the body structure ensured that these are minimal (just looking at the stampings etc).

Now compared to the stock tank - I can stand on this one and not dent it...if I stood on the stocker I'd crush it like a beer can. Off to weld on the bosses and start thinking about the battery box.

I didn't get the frame welded today. I did get the rock shield installed. Following the rest of this crazy tank design, it's 14 game - bull strong. I'll get the frame fit this week. I noticed that Volvo didn't do a great job of locating the mount holes, so I can't use them for the rivnuts.

Beauty! Are you gonna water test it before you add fuel?

Yup, I'll put some pressure to it and see if I have it welded up. No water though, just cap all the holes and add air, check seams with soapy water. I'm now thinking that bed liner will be the finish.

Thanks Craig for keeping us up on your incredible work! And thanks to the few that are keeping the board alive these days... just so's you know, there are lurkers out here following the few active threads.

I'm going to go enjoy a nice glass of Scotch. The tank passed a pressure test and I welded on the frame. There is still some fine fitting to do and a coat for bedliner, but we can call this one done.

Had a little trouble with the frame fit. Off by a quarter inch, the horrors. A little seam sealer will take care of this problem.



Seriously, it fit great and I'm happy with the tank and I sure did learn a lot.

The next one should be so much easier then?

Ya, I'd make it 17" wide and just a little longer. Could have saved the trouble if I used the angle only on the long sides. I would then use 10 gauge for the sides, so it would fit better.

Sure...I'm not fussy...

The gauge mount plate showed up today. It will be painted black, but you can see the texture I was after. I'm stoked.

Whoa!! That will look nice.

Looking for wheel ideas - post up what you think would look cool and period correct. I'm not a fan of panasports as they've been done to death. I may be looking to go back to a 16" wheel to save some unsprung weight (probably doesn't matter much). No 18" or over wheels. Needs to have some lip...not going to happen this year, but I'm sort of mentally hung up on this styling issue right now. I've even thought about a set of Kodiak Racing wheels (not really the right style, but nice) - what would a vintage European 60's race car sport?

Hmmmmm...I'm gonna hafta give this some thought. But this is a good question. I'm with you on needing some lip. Dish is necessary on a 122 I think.