You will fight rust forever with that one.
Gas Tank Salvagable?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 142
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Gas Tank Salvagable?
Well, I finally got around to something I didn't want to do: prying the coroded cap off my gas tank. The car's been sitting for way too long before I got it, and what I found was about what I expected:
Think there's any way to clean it up and use it (provided it doesn't leak), or am I shopping for a new one?
-=Boston!=-
Think there's any way to clean it up and use it (provided it doesn't leak), or am I shopping for a new one?
-=Boston!=-
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 0
From: Manalapan FL
Ugh...my tank was in better condition, but had developed a pinhole leak (...that Bubba sealed with JB Weld). I could have removed the tank had it dipped/stripped/welded, but for $150 I bought a new repro tank. You have to remove the old tank for cleaning/repair anyway, right? Why not go new?
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
That tank has outlived it's useful life-I wouldn't run that tank on a farm tractor if I had one. Do it once, do it right-get a new tank. If I myself was purchasing a Corvette & it had a tank on it like that, I WOULD NOT even run the car without changing the tank 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i agree time for a new one....i have cleaned many tanks and used the cleaner and the slosh method, chains, and then a sealer in them....all when i had no money. Some of these sealers become soft with different additives so you are always wondering what additives are in the gas? ....if you have the money do it right and replace it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
You'll find the cost to have the tank coated is over $100. If you try to do it yourself, you'll discover the rust is sealing a dozen pinholes.
Buy a new one!
BTW, if it was run with rust in the tank expect to rebuild your carb too.
Gary
Buy a new one!
BTW, if it was run with rust in the tank expect to rebuild your carb too.
Gary
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by Garys 68
You'll find the cost to have the tank coated is over $100. If you try to do it yourself, you'll discover the rust is sealing a dozen pinholes.
Buy a new one!
BTW, if it was run with rust in the tank expect to rebuild your carb too.
Gary
Buy a new one!
BTW, if it was run with rust in the tank expect to rebuild your carb too.
Gary
However, a new tank is not the only option.
I found a nice '69 tank at a local car show - initial cost $10.
It had a few dings and a couple patches that I re-did nicely.
Finally, POR tank sealer inside and POR15 outside ... total cost about $50
in stuff and many hours of my time.
The one I decided not to even try restoring:
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/g...as_tank_01.jpg
The one I did restore (before pic):
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/g...as_tank_03.jpg
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/g...as_tank_04.jpg
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/g...as_tank_07.jpg
Finished product:
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/g...as_tank_17.jpg
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/g...as_tank_19.jpg
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/g...as_tank_20.jpg
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/g...as_tank_21.jpg
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 142
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
The carb is being rebuilt now, and the fuel line will be flushed thoroughly. Looks like a new tank is in order. But, they're not as steeply priced as I thought. Hopefully I can find one locally for under $150.
Thanks for the info, guys!
-=Boston!=-
Thanks for the info, guys!
-=Boston!=-
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
... and don't forget a new sending unit, filler neck screws,
and a filler neck gasket. Sometimes the tank comes with hardware -
sometimes not. You'll probably want another cap, too.
Good luck
and a filler neck gasket. Sometimes the tank comes with hardware -
sometimes not. You'll probably want another cap, too.
Good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
If this is what the tank looked like, I'll bet the fuel lines maybe just as or near as bad as that tank. If you spend time dropping the tank, you may want to consider fuel lines too as they're probably not far behind that tank in condition.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by Paul Borowski
If this is what the tank looked like, I'll bet the fuel lines maybe just as or near as bad as that tank. If you spend time dropping the tank, you may want to consider fuel lines too as they're probably not far behind that tank in condition.