Clean/flush fuel tank, lines?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Clean/flush fuel tank, lines?
My '71 has been in storage for 18 years and now ready to get on the road again. Yes, it was left with all fluids in the car. One of the first things for restarting the engine is dealing with old fuel. Is any further prep needed for the fuel system besides siphoning out old fuel from the tank? If I should flush the lines, what is the best way to do that?
thanks
thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Hello paks71, If I wanted to have no problems, I would remove the tank and buy a new sock for the sending unit, but you need to use a siphon pump, to drain the tank out either way, it will be too heavy for a person to hold it with the gas in it. or put a electric fuel pump on the line at the fuel pump and pump it dry, add a little sea foam to the tank before doing it and it will help clean it up. You can buy a siphon pump at Harbor tools, Advance or any auto store for around 6.00 electric pump for 30.00 Remember if you plan on using an electric pump at the rear of the car, you almost have to pull the tank to mount it. be sure that you place it in a position that you can replace it without taking the tank out again. Lots of luck, it's not that hard of job really. Doctorgene
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Dr G, thanks for the help. I haven't heard of sea foam for cleaning before. What exactly is it? Couldn't I hook up a fuel pump at the far end of the lines near the engine and avoid dropping the tank? I assume I can replace the sock and fuel gauge assembly without dropping it.
thanks,
-pak
thanks,
-pak
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18,640
Likes: 121
From: Farragut,TN
I had a car sit wth fuel in the tank from '96 to '01. had to have the tank removed flushed out. lines flushed out. over a period of time gas gells and the car will run for a while but will stall whin the jel blocks the fuel lines to the carb. Also change all the fluids in the car. rear end, brake fluid etc.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Thanks again to all for the help. There are several obvious signs of failure: fuilds from differential, transmission. I restarted the engine once after it sat for 5 years, and at that time there was no resistance to the brake pedal, but not a single drop of brake fluid has leaked, so probably time for new master cylinder. Anything with rubber will be suspect. Hopefully nothing too major, though. Lots of fun weekends of tinkering coming up with my teenage boys who have seen her quietly waiting their entire lives. 
