An Introduction: Chris Collins and Morris Tilly Project

[jack neville]

My late father was a plumber and used to make a lot of galvanized iron tanks when I was young. I remember being about six years old when I began helping him by holding the rivet dolly on the inside while he hammered the tin rivets from the outside. As the tanks got higher I had to work off a ladder with each hit almost knocking me off the ladder. Anyway, I still have his old tools which haven't seen any use for many years. Who'd a thought. I supported a piece of railway line in my vice as the anvil for swedging the lap joint.

[jack neville]

Once this seam was finished I lowered my press to its bottom and placed a plate at each end of the tank. It pressed in perfectly. I need to now attach all the external flanges and baffles before permanently attaching the end flanges.

[jack neville]

I got the end flanges, baffles and most fittings off the car tank but I only had one filler inlet flange and that being on the complete Tilly tank. The car being different.
This Tilly I knew had a foreign tank fitted.

[jack neville]

I removed this tank and found it had been modified by blanking off the original filler neck and then fitting an original Tilly neck. Once removed I have a complete set of correct bits for each tank.

[Mike K]

The tilly project(s) are looking excellent. When it comes time to solder the gal. iron petrol tank, I think they use a flux called 'killed spirits' its a mix of diluted hydrochloric acid and pure zinc. Some people make their own, buy the acid from a hardware store and a lump of zinc. There was a tank sealant called RED KOTE or similar , you mixed it with acetone , it might be available still. Mike

[jack neville]

I remember Dad using 'spirits of salts' which he used to brush on with an old 'Clag' paste brush. I just use Bakers soldering solution. I have never done any soldering much apart from small wiring jobs so I'm relying on my 6 year old apprenticeship. I've got the old mans soldering irons and a quantity of older. Seen the price of that stuff these days!!!

[Mike K]

This may be of use

http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/metal...al-Joints.html

A suggestion . Gal. iron flux can be straight diluted Hyd. acid , because the gal. already has a rich zinc content.

[colin jones]

Seriously a good job Jack, Now that is really old school fabrication.

[jack neville]

Thanks Colin. It is good fun finding a solution when one has to improvise. Another example of
'Why can't I live closer to Colin Jones'!

[jack neville]

I popped the ends off the body of the tank and firstly riveted and soldered the bottom drain plug flange. Next the fuel line filter and pickup. This has a nut on the inside to tighten up the brass fitting and then soldered on the outside. The baffles were then soldered in and then the fuel filler inlet flange and fuel gauge flange were riveted on and soldered. Lastly the ends were pressed back on and crimped tight and all the seams soldered. Not the neatest of soldering but I am very happy with the end product. Pity it will be slung underneath never to be seen.