Author Topic: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame? (Read 6614 times)

Tbone07 · « **on:** June 19, 2015, 01:22:15 PM »

So my 4.0 gallon IMS tank hits the upper shock mount support bar. Has anybody used a heat gun to mold a tank to fit? Or any other similar situation? I'm afraid of putting a small hole in it

It really doesn't have to move much to be able to fit

mandom250r · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2015, 02:07:49 PM »

I think [MENTION=172]ytman[/MENTION] would be the man to know. I think hes reformed his for more capacity. I would like to make mine bigger also hehe

ytman · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2015, 02:29:24 PM »

Does the stock tank fit? I didn't realize the 4 gal IMS was longer in the back. I tried to form the bottom of a 3.6 without much success. That was in the middle of the bottom. I think what you want to do there would be impossible. I hate that word. I have had success expanding the thinner parts on top. Can you go in front of the shock hoop? I did watch someone burn a hole in a brand new tank with a torch.

Tbone07 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2015, 03:01:25 PM »

Quote from: ytman;55310

Does the stock tank fit? I didn't realize the 4 gal IMS was longer in the back. I tried to form the bottom of a 3.6 without much success. That was in the middle of the bottom. I think what you want to do there would be impossible. I hate that word. I have had success expanding the thinner parts on top. Can you go in front of the shock hoop? I did watch someone burn a hole in a brand new tank with a torch.

The stock tank fits, which frustrates me. I bought this IMS tank only a few months ago not knowing i'd have this problem. The IMS is longer in the back, and it fits my OEM frame

I think the picture makes it look worse than it actually is. I definitely wont be using a propane torch, i've got an official heat gun (not a blow dryer).

So all I have to do is push those 2 lower hanging corners (to the right and left of the recessed center section) up and out of the way about 1/2 inch.

ytman · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2015, 03:09:04 PM »

I hope you can do it. That plastic is tough. Don't forget pics

rk88r · « **Reply #5 on:** June 19, 2015, 05:37:56 PM »

Can it slide forward a little?

ytman · « **Reply #6 on:** June 19, 2015, 06:48:27 PM »

A little trick I stole
If you use a '86/'87 seat pan you can put a spacer between the plastic base and the bolt on bracket to pick up some room. Plus trimming a little off the rubbers. It does mess up the line between the bottom of the seat and the plastic tho.

bnau267 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 19, 2015, 08:55:11 PM »

That frame looks clean. You got a build thread going. Heat gun should work.

ytman · « **Reply #8 on:** June 19, 2015, 10:29:20 PM »

More pics rk88r. Is that a 4.0 IMS? Did you have to make brackets or elongate holes?

rk88r · « **Reply #9 on:** June 19, 2015, 10:38:43 PM »

I don't remember elongating them so if I did it would have been minimal. I see the bolt in the front is centered front to back. Yeah it's about a year old 4.0 Ims.

rk88r · « **Reply #10 on:** June 19, 2015, 10:40:10 PM »

Good idea on using a plastic shim to get the seat from rubbing the frame.

Tbone07 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2015, 11:48:04 AM »

Quote from: rk88r;55315

Can it slide forward a little?

The tank is as far forward as it can go

Tbone07 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2015, 11:49:12 AM »

Quote from: bnau267;55319

That frame looks clean. You got a build thread going. Heat gun should work.

I've got some pictures so I can update my old build thread, since I guess I never actually finished that build lol

broken1 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2015, 12:45:17 PM »

I used a miluawkee heat gun on the low setting(750deg.)to reshape some rear fenders I have that were tweaked. It worked very well, just take your time & don't focus the heat in one spot for too long & you'll be fine.

ytman · « **Reply #14 on:** June 20, 2015, 09:43:23 PM »

Tbone07 The answer to your original questions are... yes and yes. Someone has used a heat gun to mold a tank to fit and someone has tried a similar situation. The plastic has a strong memory and wants to return to where it was molded originally. You are dealing with the strongest part of the tank, an outside corner. I am no plastics expert. I heated the bottom of an IMS tank to almost liquid form and could not make it change a half an inch even in a flat area much easier than what you are about to attempt. Fenders and the top of a fuel tank are much thinner than the part of the tank you are attempting to modify.
Please post pictures of your success as you will be the Christopher Columbus of tank melting. Sorry. Just trying to save you some grief and be optimistic at the same time.