Grundy Tanks

[ScottV]

I just aquired three 7 bbl grundy tanks with the clamp on tops. I had the DIN fitting cut off and a tri-clamp ferule welded on.

I am having a really hard time getting the tank to seal. The gasket, which has the metal ring in it, seems to be a larger than the tank top and the top of the tank.

does anyone have a sugestion as to how to get the tank to seal?

thanks

Scott

[Moonlight]

Scott-
There are a couple tricks. First, check the integrity of the ring. The original ones were aluminum and are likely corroded in blisters and not at all smooth, or maybe not even circular. I have had a lid blow off because a ring corroded through. This ring does the heavy lifting of the sealing, but most people pay no attention to it. I had new ones made of stainless, and life is easier. If the gasket is over-sized a bit, that is OK. There ought to be a visible flat/smooth area on the gasket for the tank on one side (and the lid on the other side) to match up. Every gasket I have seen has a mushroomed-out perimeter beyond this smooth area. If your gasket is really shot, check recent archives on this forum for new ones being made.
The actual sealing of the clamp and gasket is simple once mastered, and horrendous before. The bolt on the clamp is often screwed up and the threads marred my misuse. I have substituted SS carriage bolts if the T bolts are shot. If the nut does not spin easily on the bolt, some Neversieze could help, or replace it. To assemble, seat the lid centered on the gasket centered on the tank. Swing the clamp on with as little disturbance to the gasket seating as possible. Using a hammer as you tighten with a socket wrench, tap the ring around to work the slack in the clamp around to the bolt spot. A little more tapping after each bolt tightening. This is likely the biggest problem people have with these tanks, they think the lid will seat completely just by tightening the nut. Leverage will not allow this! The nut and bolt can do little more than just hold the clamp in place once the slack has been taken up.
This whole thing can be done in about 2 minutes after practice, and I routinely have taken these tanks up to 30 psi (NOT RECOMMENDED!) and they hold it after this 2 minute attachment.
Congrats on the Cuvee gold...that is a wonderful beer!

[ScottV]

Brain,

Thanks for the tips, i am going to try to make it work today. The rings that came with these tanks are defintely not the origianals, they are stainless and not very well built. They have a V shape to them with and have slots for the carriage bolts on either side.

Thanks, I am glad you had a chance to try that beer, it was a pain to make, but worth the effort.

Scott