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Posted by: worn Jun 16 2015, 01:13 PM

For my 3.2 I have made several parts myself from scratch. The engine tin, many other buyable pieces, but the one I was after has been the oil tank. For those of you who know how to tig, you can just start laughing at how easy this is and come back later. For me though, I knew how to make shapes in sheet metal, and how to weld steel, but aluminum was a new frontier. Dabbled in trying to weld with gas, and I still hope to learn. Then bought a TIG, figuring it cost a bit more than half of a complete tank with all the parts. Used a blow up of the blueprint from the factory originally from a file posted by SLITS.

But having done all the work what scared me was the prospect of the thing slumping into a pile of slag at the end. Well, oddly, I got better, not good, but better at tig welding. So it is welded up, complete with 911 filler and dipstick, and AN fittings for everything else. I now know I could have done the filter console, but I am kind glad I didn't try. Oil goes in at the original location where the pipe came from the filter at the top of the tank. There is a stainless steel screen for baffling. I am using 3 hard points with 8 mm time serts and studs for fastening. Goes into place in seconds. Of course the metal finishing isn't done. And it has to be leak tested and though clean as a whistle when I put the clams together, I will send a camera in to double check and then wash it. More later, cause I have to go. This was the big stall in getting the engine in and started. So:

Posted by: Andyrew Jun 16 2015, 01:23 PM

I've tig'ed twice in my life. Its not easy to learn at all!

Looks like pretty decent welds to me!

Posted by: Valy Jun 16 2015, 02:51 PM

Posted by: worn Jun 16 2015, 03:42 PM

Not decent but better each time. Lots of factors, each new. My only advantage was having used a flame torch before, not just a MIG.
That part will be linked with the cooler,




fans ex NASCAR according to ebay

Posted by: worn Jun 29 2015, 11:41 AM

I globbed it all over with epoxy primer used to make fish tanks in aquaculture. Already sanded off the drips and recoated it with normal automotive primer. I had it down to zero leaks, so this is insurance.

Posted by: aircooledtechguy Jun 30 2015, 07:53 AM

Congrats on the great job!!

It's exciting (and a little scary) to test new boundries, develop new skills and see if you really CAN do things the first time. What's your next trick??

Posted by: worn Jun 30 2015, 03:05 PM

Hopefully moving home to the PNW someday. But the obvious one is turning the key. I deleted the relay tray so the 14 pin connector made way for a few watertight Deutsch connectors from JEGs. Ticking off the to do list and it is frighteningly short before engine mount.
I suppose I might do a build thread.

Posted by: colingreene Jul 1 2015, 01:18 AM

Do it!

Posted by: GeorgeRud Jul 1 2015, 06:43 AM

I commend you on your persistence and willingness to take on such a project! Have you checked that the timeserted stud locations won't leak? There should also be some spacers to provide a bit of clearance between the tank and the inner sheet metal of the body.