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Reproduction fuel tank installed. Very happy

clinto

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I got my Mule from Maccus in 2008.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?21797-1800-miles-in-47-hrs-for-an-M274

When Maccus did the restoration, repro fuel tanks weren't available. And the tank, like pretty much all Mule fuel tanks, was dented. So Maccus made an outside cover to give the tank a clean appearance. And it looked pretty good. You do what you have to do with this stuff. And it gave me no issues until 2012-2013 when it started leaking a little fuel. The tank has a drain hole bung brazed onto the bottom and it started leaking.

Not having the money at the time to buy a new tank, I attempted a fix. I had just lost my day job and considered myself lucky to still be eating. So I pulled the tank off and pulled the cover off to get access to the bung and touched it up with some JB Weld.

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At the same time I was doing this, I upgraded the in-tank pickup screen to a better, more modern unit.

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This slowed the leak down to nearly nothing. The area around the bung was slightly damp, but not dripping. And it stayed like this for a couple years.

But last year, it started pouring. When I took it to the rally, people could smell the gas all around the Mule. I'm glad smoking is becoming less prevalent in our society, I was afraid I'd hear a boom and the mule and a bystander would be flying towards the moon.

So I finally sucked it up and bought a new repro tank from John Emery. John bought Bill Watson's business when Bill retired and is making the tanks himself now. They are aluminum and are a pretty good match for the originals, plus they'll never rust.

The tank fits extremely well and I was very impressed that my original pickup and gasket and screws all worked flawlessly in the new tank. Anyone who has been in the antique car hobby can tell you, repro stuff never fits.

My only compliant is that the slots on each end that the deck bolts go through are a hair on the tight side. Had I thought to test fit this, I would have used a deburring tool to slightly open each of the 4 slots up.

I can't lie, this is an expensive project. I'll bet by the time I bought the tank, paid the shipping, bought the special primer, paint, thinner, etc., that I have between $600 and $700 in this. But, my only other choice was to keep jerry rigging the near-50 year old tank and I thought for a mule this nice, I'd just suck it up and buy a new one.

Here are some pictures of the rest of the job.

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I really remember taking primer shots, but I can't find them. Don't do drugs in college (or at all).

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Old tank coming out, pickup assy. being cleaned and painted before installation.


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More in post #2
 

clinto

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Continued.


Tank install:

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What do you guys figure my old tank is worth? I would imagine there's someone out there who has a mule but can't afford a $700 tank that would be willing to put some sweat equity into repairing an old tank to save some $$$.

$100?

Old tank:

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Tinwoodsman

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Nice result Clinto. Did he leave enough meat on the tabs so they didn't weaken when you enlarged them? Good for at least another 75 years. I can't wait for that follow-up thread. :lol:
 

clinto

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Nice result Clinto. Did he leave enough meat on the tabs so they didn't weaken when you enlarged them? Good for at least another 75 years. I can't wait for that follow-up thread. :lol:
I didn't enlargen them-I just left it as is. On mine, the bolts coming down through the top of the deck aren't fully "bottomed out" in the slots, but they're good enough.

However, in terms of would it be ok to make the slots a little larger, hh yeah. The new tank is made out of much thicker material. I suspect the ends could support several hundred lbs.

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rtk

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I used the same tank from John on my Mule for the same reasons LOL !!! The tank is a deal , I did have to enlarge the slots a bit , but is a nice bolt in fix for those leaky Mule gas tanks . I look at it as it saved me a BUNCH of fitting and fiddling around with a used tank .
 

clinto

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Very nice job, write up and photos Clinto
Where did you buy the aluminum primer and how difficult was the prep?
Thanks.

Bought the aluminum specific primer at the local paint shop where I buy all my paint stuff (other than the epoxy primer I buy off the internet and have shipped).

Prep was washing it to ensure it was spotless, then prepped it with comet and a 3M scotchbrite pad. This cleaned the surface and ensured it was smooth and had a little "bite" for the primer.

Laid 3 thin coats of primer (really thin) and 3 or 4 thin coats of paint.

I've pressure washed it once and none of it came off so I guess it's ok rofl
 

clinto

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What are the particulars for the in tank filter you used? Very nice...
Bought it from Emery. I had bought some stuff from him when I was trying to patch the old tank and he offered me the factory pickup filter and the modern style. I had him send both so I could assess them and make a decision. I sent the factory stuff back.

I am sure it's just a commercial, off the shelf filter that someone realized would work, but I don't know a civvy number to cross it to so you could buy it locally.

If you have a parts house guy that's really good, you may be able to simply measure the OD of the pickup tube and show him a picture of the modern one and he may be able to find it.
 

schil123

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Hello,

Do you have a picture with the cover removed?? If not not big deal. Just wondering what I'm dealing with. I'm a buyer for $100.00 shipped to Michigan 49506. I would think you cold just wrap it once in card board, slap an address on it and send it?

Let me know.

Thanks

Chad
 

clinto

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Hello,

Do you have a picture with the cover removed?? If not not big deal. Just wondering what I'm dealing with. I'm a buyer for $100.00 shipped to Michigan 49506. I would think you cold just wrap it once in card board, slap an address on it and send it?

Let me know.

Thanks

Chad
Best I can do for now is this, I didn't think to shoot it when I had it apart. But I don't mind removing the cover this weekend, it's just 4 screws. I can send you some or post them here.

I'll get them Saturday or Sunday and I'll see how cheap I can get it to 49506.
Thanks

C
20130923_120739.jpg20130923_120757_1.jpg
 

clinto

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Hi dinto,

Any luck on getting me a photo and price on that gas tank???
Dude, I'm sorry, I totally spaced and forgot. I'll get it when the monsoons stop tomorrow or Thursday.
 

murphy36

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Can you get me the contact info for the guy that makes the repo tanks? Also I might be interested in your old one if the first buyer doesn't work out. The mule I just picked up has a 3 gallon plastic tank on it and I would really like to replace it. Thanks!!!
 

schil123

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Can you get me the contact info for the guy that makes the repo tanks? Also I might be interested in your old one if the first buyer doesn't work out. The mule I just picked up has a 3 gallon plastic tank on it and I would really like to replace it. Thanks!!!
John Emery......262-567-5606
 

clinto

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Hello,

Do you have a picture with the cover removed?? If not not big deal. Just wondering what I'm dealing with. I'm a buyer for $100.00 shipped to Michigan 49506. I would think you cold just wrap it once in card board, slap an address on it and send it?

Let me know.

Thanks

Chad
I'm sorry this took a month. I'm pm'ing you today at some point. Here's the pics

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maccus

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As is normal for you a well done project Clinto. As sad as the old tank was it was the best of the 5 mules I had at the time. All 5 had a very rough life.

John Emery as you indicated is the guy to go to for mule parts/questions etc.. I get all my stuff from him and it all is good. I have not checked with John lately but he is in the process of reproducing the engine guard....the one made of 1 inch tubing. Hard item to find in fair shape. As you can see I need one.
 

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