Need information on how to clean up the internals of a gas tank.

[JIPJOBXX]

WEll youall most likley have seen this before I have taken my gas tank off and tried to clean out the inside my gas tank twice each time thinking I got it but both time after about 4 gal of gas the line plugs up again I have all new line from the tank to the fuel pump. As tight as I am I guess the best thing I can do is go out in the back yard and dig up another can to get some money and buy a new gas tank. Jon

[Guest 50Plymouth]

I wonder in the internal baffling has junk that keeps coming out since no home cleaning solution would allow for really doing much with that?

If its a solid tank but keeps spitting up junk why not just have the thing professionally seriously dipped cleanedup and lined for $130ish? I went around and asked the hot rod shop who they use or recommend. I learned different shops don't all use the same chemicals, and sandblasting isn't always a good idea. The businesses catering to mostly non industrial customers used the weakest solutions (i.e. your average little shop). Rules and policies for their obtaining and disposing certain things are of course different than yesteryear. I suspect the industrial rad. shop that did my tank soaked in toxic chemicals so strong it would rightly make a tree-hugger faint. I know it took about 2 weeks time before they even hooked it up to an air supply source and lined it. I'm totally confident the tank will long outlast whats left of the car now. As far as the DIY kits I don't think they save that much, and sometimes by the time you buy additional acids its the same cost plus you risk playing with some dangerous stuff, never mind appropriate cleanup and disposal of what you use to clean the tank.

I'm not an old timer with a list of tricks like we love to hear, appreciate, and use but sometimes shortcuts leave one with only a short term solution.

[Fireball]

I have prepped two veteran tanks with this tank sealer kit

U.S tank sealer

When done by the instructions it works like toilets in an aeroplane. All you need is patience

[55 Fargo]

The best way to clean up an old rusty gas tank is to either have it lined, or buy a new one. You can buy steel or stainless steel tanks for our cars from www.tanksinc.com, they are located near Minneapolis Minnesota. The steel tanks are $215, the Stainless tanks are $350. You will have a nice clean new trouble free tank for many years............Fred

[Lou Earle]

As far as I know there are no baffles in a Chrysler tank- there are sown in 31 fords.

What most folks miss is that the rust is on the topside of the tank more so than the bottom.

One of the best things to do is take it to a radiator shop and have them put it in their tank overnight and clean it.

If your line is clogging up that means there is on filter inside the tank - on ceramic filter. So there are some things to do:

1Get a screen door spring and stretch it a bit- cut off the eye ends and then cut it about 8 inches long plug one end and then take some forceps and slide other end over the pipe. then place some magnesite on either side of it( I got mine at radio shack)

This really helps I have also place an in line filter right outside the gas tank and then another before the carb. I use clear ones so I can see what is going on.

You can clean it yourself also. Take a rubber hammer and beat hell out of the top sides etc that will loosen a lot of rust and crud. I fill mine with water and stick an air hose in it and agitate the water so it sloshes around - that gets a lot and you can put a chain in it or bolts whatever and 2 people grab it and twist and turn it to scrape the insides. I do not use liners- I had bad experience with them- came loose in sheets and clogged everything.

best rust preventive for tank , IMHO , is keep ing the tanks full I try to fill mine up close to home and that way no or very little room for moisture to start the process again on the top of the tank.

I have a friend who when cleaning tank seals up the Gage hole and then pours some motor oil in the tank and turn tank upside down and leaves it a day or 2 to let the oil penetrate the metal. Do not know if it helps but can't hurt.

I really believer most of yoru problem is coming from the top of the tank. I had same thing on several. So now i just go ahead and remove the tank ad get that problem out of the way early on . I did my 41 lincoln as outlined above and have had no problems for 15 years

Lou

[Norm's Coupe]

I agree with Rockwood, best fix is a new tank.

This is what is inside your tank. Under the round raised piece that the fuel pickup line stops at is a ceramic filter. When I took this tank apart, the filter was still there until I touched it. Then it just crumbled into dust. You cannot remove that round metal piece, and if you try to clean with a chain, the chain will not fit under it. You would have the same problem if you threw rocks in there. Not to mention a rock or two might stick under there. Think you are on the right track Jon. Time to dig up one of those cans in the backyard and buy a new tank.

[Norm's Coupe]

Guess you can only post 5 pictures at a time. Here's additional pictures.

[Guest 50Plymouth]

Yes, 48 and earlier are in luck. I called and no such luck for later models when I was looking.

http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=164/category_id=68/home_id=59/mode=prod/prd164.htm

[Norm's Coupe]

Yes, 48 and earlier are in luck. I called and no such luck for later models when I was looking.

http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=164/category_id=68/home_id=59/mode=prod/prd164.htm

You probably could find someone with a gas tank for your 50 and above cars too. Not all advertise via the internet though. There are several places that sell tanks and advertise in Hemmings Motor News magazine, Old Cars Weekly, various street rod and custom magazines, etc. Also, you can have any tank custom made by Rock Valley Auto Parts, Rockford, IL if you supply them with an old tank as a pattern. You may be able to find other places to custom make them too.

You can also buy universal tanks that will fit with various amounts of modifications.

So, there is always a way to get a new tank, if you have the will to buy one.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Had not the tank in the other 41 I have been pristine..I would have gone with a new poly tank...the original is solid..been etched and sealed somewhere along the way..no leaks or anything like that...it's just that I don't care for that sealer. Cost wise..may be prudent to opt for a new tank...

[Jerry Roberts]

If you put a chain in yout tank to rub and clean it out , the chain might tie itself in a knot . Then you have another problem getting the chain out of the tank .