JLmiller

I rebuilt the carburetor and found lots of rush in the filter. The tank looks clean from above, but when I got a scope in the tank it looks like the top of the tank has rust. The car has been sitting for about 8 months. I added an inline filter at the tank.
Do I need to replace the tank? Or is there a way to treat the tank?

1970 just completed rebuilt 383 and frame off restoration. I am about to put the body back on the frame. Jut like the other 100 things now is the time to change if I have to.

Thanks for any advise.

johnt365

I had really good results from this sealer from por-15 http://www.por15.com/POR-15-Fuel-Tan...-Kit_p_62.html

The tank must be removed though to apply it. My tank had little pin holes and rust. It had been left under a tree for who knows how long.

After removing the dead frog, I spent some time really cleaning it and then following the directions of this kit. I used a hair drier to ensure it was really dry in between processes. That was 10 years ago.

Just an option to think about.

John

drwet

Replacement fuel tanks are readily available. If you are going to go to all the trouble to pull the tank out, $300 for a new tank seems pretty reasonable.

JLmiller

Thanks I have had good luck with other POR products. The body is still off the car so removing it will be easy to remove it again.

JLmiller

The body is still off the frame so changing it or working on it will be easy. I guess the choice is repair it or replace it??

drwet

I worry about putting a coating on the inside of the tank. If it ever starts to come off you've got a whole other set of problems. Replacement tanks really aren't all that expensive. I've used POR products as well, and the do stick like snot to a screen door. I've seen them lose their finish, but they don't seem to peel.

JLmiller

I understand I have already done a lot of work on the tank, but maybe the right thing todo is replace it. See my before and after pics.

mikem350

It appears you replaced the fuel lines? My originals were totally rusted on the inside!

7T1vette

If the tank does not have any pinholes in it, just turn tank upside down and pour a quart (or more) of CLR in it. Slosh it around and let sit; do this a few times to make sure all the rust has been eliminated.

If there is some RELIABLE coating that you can apply in the same manner, go for it. Otherwise, just rinse it out and dry it well, then install with a servicible fuel filter (all metal, please) close to the fuel line outlet.

7T1vette

Interestingly, I just got my "Smoke Signals" magazine [Pontiac periodical] in the mail today. And, one of the articles is how to remove rust from the inside of a fuel tank! They used detergents to clean everything but rust out of the tank; then, used a battery charger (with 8-10 amp capacity) and a steel rebar rod as a sacrificial anode to un-plate the rust from the tank to the rebar rod.

If you want to try that, I'll figure a way to get you the article or, at least, the content via PM.

drwet

That is such a cool idea I would probably do it just so I could tell the story.

croaker

Washing soda?

JLmiller

Interesting love to learn more. I am currently leaning towards cleaning it and using the POR sealant.

7T1vette

Yes. Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda and water was used as the plating fluid for the tank. One tablespoon of soda per gallon of water in the tank [using more does not improve results]. The 'Smoke Signals' article provides good tips on how to do this properly.

Richard Daugird

Electrolysis rust removal is pretty cool stuff. But for $100 you can get a new tank, that's what I did.