51Chevy 66 #1 Posted January 29, 2015 My hood on my Rj 35 is cracking from the gas tank what do you guys think I should do? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,156 #2 Posted January 29, 2015 Are you planning on painting it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
51Chevy 66 #3 Posted January 29, 2015 Not any time soon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,274 #4 Posted January 29, 2015 I think VinsRJ has some videos on this...do not put any heat on it as the metal is too thin. Formariz has been trying to get these videos from U-Tube into one place where we can find them...with out much luck. There is a link in one of the late threads, but I can't find it. Hopefully, some one will come in here...hopefully VinsRJ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,156 #5 Posted January 29, 2015 I would just leave it alone but if it really bothering you tack weld the underneath of it in a few places but it will burn the paint on top I did mine this way and bondo the top side and painted it but if ur not painting then probably wouldn't be the best thing to do Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,274 #6 Posted January 29, 2015 I watched some of the videos...I think he reinforced the metal by epoxy and a piece of metal underneath. Try to find the link for his videos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
51Chevy 66 #7 Posted January 29, 2015 I wanted to either do what vin dose with epoxie or put a tack on it but the gas tank strap is in the way I just don't want to see it crack more 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,274 #8 Posted January 29, 2015 (edited) I would go with the epoxy that Vins does...the links are here somewhere. Send VinsRJ a PM in the long run... Edited January 29, 2015 by stevasaurus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
51Chevy 66 #9 Posted January 29, 2015 That's what I would like to do but can't get to the crack the gas tank strap is in the way Do you guys think it will crack more if I leave it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Digger 66 3,488 #10 Posted January 29, 2015 (edited) I'd braze it , apply a thin coat of motor oil with a rag & leave it as it sits . It adds character . Edited January 29, 2015 by Digger 66 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
51Chevy 66 #11 Posted January 29, 2015 I'm ok with it but how can I do any thing about it? Like tacking it, epoxie it, or brazing it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Digger 66 3,488 #12 Posted January 29, 2015 Surround the area with wet towels before heating & have other ones within reach . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
51Chevy 66 #13 Posted January 29, 2015 But I can't get to the spot from the bottom. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,274 #15 Posted January 30, 2015 this is what formariz is talking about...the information is out there, but no one can find it. DAHHH.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #16 Posted January 30, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/user/VinsGN/videos 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 723 #17 Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) I personally would not apply heat to a RJ hood... only as a last resort (tack welding or brazing). If you are not completely careful and pay very close attention to the heat, you will end up with nothing but a wavy mess... which in most cases cannot be corrected due to the thin guage steel that was used. There are plenty of destroyed hood pics if you google... and keep in mind these hoods are not GM quarter panel quality so all those handling therories can be just thrown out the window. What I have done in the past with a crack like yours is to epoxy a piece of 22 guage sheet steel in front of tank strap and one behind the front tank strap. 22 guage steel I find is the same thickness of the strap(s) so there will be no issue with the tank riding lower in the hood. I would go about an inch and a half wider than the cracks themselves (all the way around) with the patch steel and make an appropritate relief curve for the tank filler neck hole. I have done this a number of times and never have had an issue. One thing most people don't think about... Do not fill a RJ tank to the brim with gas... just fill the tank about a 1/4 of the way at any given time... and try not to travel (trailering) a RJ with gas in the tank... trust me, your hood and tank straps will thank you... I believe SteveBo learned the hard way about this therory one time. BTW: Thank you to all that have watched my vids... I very much appreciate your interest! Edited January 30, 2015 by VinsRJ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
51Chevy 66 #18 Posted January 30, 2015 But how can I do that? Like I said I can't get to the cracks from the bottom of the hood, I took a where the are under the hood Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,274 #19 Posted January 30, 2015 Let's see what Vins has to say here. I am thinking you can grind what is holding the straps and fix from the bottom...epoxy the straps back on and be good. That is what I got from his video. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
51Chevy 66 #20 Posted January 30, 2015 But wasn't the tank strap that he fixed held on by a bolt? Because that's how some one made it when it broke? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 723 #21 Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) This what I would do... I would not remove the strap... I would sand down/clean the area where the metal is to be epoxy, in front and in back of the strap... at the end of the day you need to eliminate the flex in the hood. By placing the sheet metal in the positions noted you will esentially eliminate any flex in the hood and stop the metal fatigue cracking by way of the added support. By making your patches an inch to an inch and a half wider than the cracks themselves, you will be supplying the load over a large area: 1) stiffening the hood and 2) providing extra stability for the tank strap itself. Sorry about the crappy pic... all I could do in 5 minutes with a mouse and paint. Edited January 30, 2015 by VinsRJ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,527 #22 Posted January 30, 2015 As Vin mentioned already I did lose my tank out of my restored 58. I have learned to fab up a support rod from the bottom of the tank strap to the front button bolt holding the hood to the frame. It supports the gas tank and no bounce to pull on the hood. IMO should have been done from the factory on every tank. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kudzu3 323 #23 Posted January 30, 2015 If the cracks don't bother you too bad and you just want to prevent the crack from getting bigger, just drill a small hole at the end of the crack, that'll stop it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeremi3210 742 #24 Posted January 31, 2015 I wish I took a before pic of mine but I didnt. Mine was completely tore out where the front tank strap is, I took my time and welded it up as long as you don't put to much heat I one spot you will be ok. Also you could put a piece of brass under it to help absorb the heat. Just do a tack here and a tack there till it done. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
51Chevy 66 #25 Posted February 1, 2015 I picked up the metal for the hood today... What type of epoxy should I use to bond it to the hood? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
