Tank emblem screw hole fix

[Thor]

Hello everyone. Working on a 1955 FLH. Anyone know best way to fix gas tank emblem screw holes that have stripped out?

[T. Cotten]

I can think of a few ways, Thor,..

But none of them can be called 'best'!

Do you need to save the paint? (That rules out silver-solder.)

Do you have the tap?

.....Cotten

[Thor]

Old tanks. Need to be strpped and restored. I do have a couple of 4-40 taps. Will need to cut one down to bottoming tap

[Rubone]

Hello Thor,
Most repairs involve welding/brazing/ or soldering. That is the easy part. Extreme care must be taken to avoid puncturing the tank skin with a drill or tap, that is the hard part. All '51-'56 tanks use the same mounting strip, just positioned differently depending on years. On '55-'56 tanks it is mounted lower than on '54 or '51-'53 due to clearance needed for the "Victory" emblems. '55-'56 tanks also seem to suffer more from stripped holes, possibly due to the heavier emblem coming loose and owners overzealous tightening of them.
There are also various ways to attach the emblems with adhesives and use dummy screws. It all depends on your comfort level in attempting repairs.
Robbie

[T. Cotten]

Assuming there's no fumes inside, Thor,...

You want your lowest temp silver-solder, and your tiniest torch!

HENROB.jpg

.....Cotten

[Thor]

Thank you for the replies. Good info. That is definitely a small flame. I think I have what is needed just need the time. Will post result when I do.

[Tom Wilcock]

If the tank has had gas in it recently I fill them with water before I do any welding on mounts or emblem mounts.
Tom

[larry]

I once exploded a Firebird tank.

[T. Cotten]

I once exploded a Firebird tank.

You win, Larry!

Folks should beware of sealers, too.

Tom's suggestion of water is prudent (don't cap it tight), but its a helluva heat sink.

Graciously, the emblem mounts are fairly insulated from the rest of the tank.

.....Cotten

[joe fxs fxr]

I've welded tanks with a vacuum cleaner hose blowing air into the tank and out the petcock hole after rinsing well.

[otis71]

If not stripped badly, sometimes peening around the hole gives a little more bite. I’ve never done emblem mounts but have had some success with similar applications.