Gas tank questions.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Pa.
Gas tank questions.
Dropped the tank on my 71 tonight and need suggestions for getting all the rust and gunk out of the tank. I removed the sending unit and shook as much gunk out as i could but still hear some rust and other particles bouncing around in there. Can I just take the garden hose to it and then let it dry for several days?
Other question is how do I get the worn out, dirty with a hole in it strainer off the pick up tube? It needs a new one.
Did find the lower portion of the tank sheet still attached to the tank! Should I carefully remove it and add it to the top portion which I have or better to just let it on? I'm going to clean up the tank and paint it while it's off.
Other question is how do I get the worn out, dirty with a hole in it strainer off the pick up tube? It needs a new one.
Did find the lower portion of the tank sheet still attached to the tank! Should I carefully remove it and add it to the top portion which I have or better to just let it on? I'm going to clean up the tank and paint it while it's off.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Kennesaw GA
Wolfe,
You aren't going to like this, but I suggest you get a new tank. I just went through this in my '69, and tried to save some money and clean it up. If you have rust particles inside the tank, you are going to find very soon some pinholes that add up quickly to be much larger holes.
I used a diluted solution of muratic acid on the inside of mine for about 10 minutes, and while it was much cleaner, the rust and undercoating that was holding the tank together just let go. Irritating part was it didn't start leaking while I had the tank full of water for several hours, no it waited until I had everything back in the car and started pouring gas into it.
Moral to this story is $200 from Quanta will give you another 35 years or so of use and no scary leaks and smells.
You aren't going to like this, but I suggest you get a new tank. I just went through this in my '69, and tried to save some money and clean it up. If you have rust particles inside the tank, you are going to find very soon some pinholes that add up quickly to be much larger holes.
I used a diluted solution of muratic acid on the inside of mine for about 10 minutes, and while it was much cleaner, the rust and undercoating that was holding the tank together just let go. Irritating part was it didn't start leaking while I had the tank full of water for several hours, no it waited until I had everything back in the car and started pouring gas into it.
Moral to this story is $200 from Quanta will give you another 35 years or so of use and no scary leaks and smells.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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I agree on the new tank. Don't mess around with old gas tanks. Quanta makes excellent repro tanks at a reasonable price. While you have it out is the time to replace it.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: Small Town in MA
My tank started leaking in my garage one day. Not a pretty picture and somewhat dangerous. I would buy a new one.
I would try to preserve the tank sticker in a notebook or somewhere not in the car.
