need help with a 1977 371 (gas tank and flywheel)

[eyyu]

I’m new to this site. Recently, I bought a 1977 371 mini-bob. It was running when I got it. However, not as smoothly as I wanted to see. I collect and work on old cars, like those Volvo 240s. Whenever I acquire a machine, I have to bring it to its best. So, I took the engine out to clean and recondition it, also to get to the gas tank which is underneath it. I kind of hoped that the tank is ok. It turned out that it has some holes on it. One of the previous owners bypassed the fuel pump and installed a plastic gas tank half way between the top of the engine and the rood, using gravity feed. I really like to restore it to the original arrangement if I can get a new tank at a reasonable price, or even patch the old tank? Another issue with the machine is that it makes a light rubbing noise. I pulled the finned fly wheel to see what wrong with it. After the fly wheel is off, I see 5 of the 6 pieces of magnets on the inside of the wheel are lose. Only one is still glued to the wheel. If I line up all the 6 magnets on the inside of the wheel, I have probably 1 inch of space left. I assume that I should evenly distribute this space between the 6 magnets when I glue them back on. I have two big questions to ask those who has already been there: 1. Where and how much can I get a replacement tank? How about the option to fix it (it looks like it’s rusted pretty bad inside too. 2. Any words of caution when I glue the magnets back to the wheel surface? What is the best glue to use? Thanks all for reading this and offer me help. Erwin

 

[eyyu]

just got a quote from the local Bobcat dealer. They want $320 for a little new tin tank. ooch

 

[eyyu]

just got a quote from the local Bobcat dealer. They want $320 for a little new tin tank. ooch

I guess that I'm talking to myself today. I don't think that I will spend over 300 dollars for a new tank. I'm thinking about completely sand down and polish the bottom of the old tank and "fiberglass" the entire bottom surface. Does anyone know if fiberglass is compatible with gasoline? Thanks. Erwin

 

[OldMachinist]

I guess that I'm talking to myself today. I don't think that I will spend over 300 dollars for a new tank. I'm thinking about completely sand down and polish the bottom of the old tank and "fiberglass" the entire bottom surface. Does anyone know if fiberglass is compatible with gasoline? Thanks. Erwin

I've glued the magnets back in a flywheel before and used JB Weld or Loctite Weld epoxy. It's been awhile and I can't remember if there's a certain way the magnets go as far as north south ends. they are part of the charging system. What engine is in the 371? I may have a engine manual.
I don't think fiberglass resin is compatible with gasoline. I would use autobody lead and then coat the inside with one of the products designed for that. Kreem is one.

 

[eyyu]

I've glued the magnets back in a flywheel before and used JB Weld or Loctite Weld epoxy. It's been awhile and I can't remember if there's a certain way the magnets go as far as north south ends. they are part of the charging system. What engine is in the 371? I may have a engine manual.
I don't think fiberglass resin is compatible with gasoline. I would use autobody lead and then coat the inside with one of the products designed for that. Kreem is one.

Thanks OldMachinist. It's a K321S engine. As to the gas tank, I got two people from the Brick site (old Volvo car lovers) saying that it is. One of them advices me to coat the inside with Eastwood gastank sealer afterward. I guess that once it's coated the compatibility won't be an issue any more.

 

[Tazza]

Thanks OldMachinist. It's a K321S engine. As to the gas tank, I got two people from the Brick site (old Volvo car lovers) saying that it is. One of them advices me to coat the inside with Eastwood gastank sealer afterward. I guess that once it's coated the compatibility won't be an issue any more.

You can buy epoxy like stuff that you can coat the insides of fuel tanks. Its not simply fiberglass resin, it has some give in it. They use it for motorbike fuel tanks too.
With the magnets, the only concern I'd have is putting it out of balance, even spacing I'd hope would be correct.

 

[renopker]

You can buy epoxy like stuff that you can coat the insides of fuel tanks. Its not simply fiberglass resin, it has some give in it. They use it for motorbike fuel tanks too.
With the magnets, the only concern I'd have is putting it out of balance, even spacing I'd hope would be correct.

Cant you have someone weld a patch on it and make it look good ? if you cant find any body I can tig weld it for you. were you at.?

 

[OldMachinist]

Cant you have someone weld a patch on it and make it look good ? if you cant find any body I can tig weld it for you. were you at.?

Yes the Eastwood gas tank sealer is like the Kreem product I use but Kreem says it isn't compatible with some fiberglass tanks so it also may not work with a fiberglass patch. http://www.kreemproducts.net/p-13-kreem-fuel-tank-liner-1-pint.aspx I've had the same rust out problems with several old tractor tanks over the years and have never had one I soldered with body lead leak again. You just clean up the area, tin it and paddle on a coating of lead.

 

[OldMachinist]

Yes the Eastwood gas tank sealer is like the Kreem product I use but Kreem says it isn't compatible with some fiberglass tanks so it also may not work with a fiberglass patch. http://www.kreemproducts.net/p-13-kreem-fuel-tank-liner-1-pint.aspx I've had the same rust out problems with several old tractor tanks over the years and have never had one I soldered with body lead leak again. You just clean up the area, tin it and paddle on a coating of lead.

I uploaded the Kohler service manual for your engine to MediaFire you can download it here http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=31fe914bdce0f590d2db6fb9a8902bda
I didn't see anything in it about the magnets but I just took a quick glance.

 

[OldMachinist]

I uploaded the Kohler service manual for your engine to MediaFire you can download it here http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=31fe914bdce0f590d2db6fb9a8902bda
I didn't see anything in it about the magnets but I just took a quick glance.

I think that link is bad try this one.
http://www.mediafire.com/?xtz2zj25ntq