Gas Tank ??

[55 Fargo]

Okay time has flown by, and I am about to drop my 55 Fargo gas tank for the new fuel sender unit to install.

3-4 years ago, when I started running this engine and truck did get some rust sediment and stuff, so installed in-line fuel filters, caught some rust and debris, bit all is running and flowing fine to the best of my knowledge.

I am tossing the idea, to have the tank cleaned at old time rad shop, or leave it alone, just drop it and fix sender, and maybe give the tank a quick flush myself.

I am not going to have the inside coated, but do have concerns about and cleaning process making the metal thin and getting pinholes.

I do have a spare tank, but also has been out of service for years...Thoughts ideas?

[NiftyFifty]

Why not coat the inside? It gives it the best chance of a longer service life. If you aren't going to coat it, then I wouldn't get it dunked, it will shorten it's life if you do one and not the other. Just drop the tank, and give it a quick flush out...I use oven cleaner and some nuts and bolts shaken around to get the debris out, then just drop them out, or use a magnet...then flush with methyl or gas and ready to go

[Jeff Balazs]

Well....I took mine to the local performance radiator shop that everyone around here uses. It was a real mess. He cleaned it....repaired some leaks ...and coated it for $200. I think that is the way to go as the coating selection and cleaning process is best done by someone who does it all the time. I have done some motorcycle tanks myself and there is a lot that can go wrong.

 

Jeff

[ggdad1951]

yah, I'd drop it and have it professionally cleaned and coated...worth it now to last a LONG time!

[55 Fargo]

yah, I'd drop it and have it professionally cleaned and coated...worth it now to last a LONG time!

I would never have it coated, read and have been told many horror stories with this..

[55 Fargo]

Okay, will ponder the idea of coating, hmm, maybe not so bad an idea.

Thanx all for your input.

I honestly feel like either I just flush it out once I drop it, or have it coated.

I have been running this tank for a few years with not issues but I only flushed it out a bit and drained out the bottom drain when I put it back in service...

[Phntm48]

I would never have it coated, read and have been told many horror stories with this..

I have my tank on the ground and was planning on  taking it down to a local place to have it vatted, a small hole in the bottom welded up and coated. I have not heard any horror stories (wouldnt be suprising, im not really in ANY loops). What kind of horror stories have you heard? Has it been "operator error" (person doing the work, or some thing wrong with the process?

 

 

Edit: looks like we posted at the same time

Edited February 19, 2015 by Phntm48

[JBNeal]

I strongly recommend having the fuel tank professionally cleaned and coated...I had one tank Renu'd in '96, another in '04, both are still intact 

[Young Ed]

The horror stories are the coating coming apart and clogging the rest of the fuel system. The tank in my 46 was cleaned out and left natural. Still going strong after about 15 years. The tank in my 48 Plymouth I sent through gas tank renu and its also going strong. Lifetime guarantee on their process. Which of course doesn't mean much if you're stranded away from home but it does make you think they know their stuff. That tank is probably 9 years old now.

[55 Fargo]

I have my tank on the ground and was planning on  taking it down to a local place to have it vatted, a small hole in the bottom welded up and coated. I have not heard any horror stories (wouldnt be suprising, im not really in ANY loops). What kind of horror stories have you heard? Has it been "operator error" (person doing the work, or some thing wrong with the process?

 

 

Edit: looks like we posted at the same time

Just as Ed has mentioned, coating peeling off and clogging fuel system.

I am going to drop the tank and have a look and make a decision. 

I will report my findings. thanx again all

[B1B Keven]

I cleaned and coated the inside and never had a problem.

The product I used is called Red Kote.

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Kote-Quart-Sealer-Diesel/product-reviews/B009X0JOSM

[Desotodav]

I cleaned and coated the inside and never had a problem. The product I used is called Red Kote.

 

I did the same with my fuel tank in the 52 truck about 4 years ago and have had no issues. I'll be using Red Kote in the 53 truck fuel tank also.

[NiftyFifty]

The only time the coating should be able to come off is if it's not cleaned and steamed properly, and the rust flakes off taking coating with it. Be aware tho, you could have it dunked and that open up a can of worms for pin holes and they can be unweldable, or the seam can leak and it's not repairable either....I had two tanks that ended up that way. For what it cost to build a new tank, was easier to do that

[MBF]

I cleaned and coated the inside of the tank on my 1 ton over 15 yrs ago and never have had a problem.  I didn't have any leaks.  I can't see what the inside looks like, but the tank on an antique tractor I did at the same time still looks like the day that I put it in.   I will say, that both tanks sat and cured on the shelf for almost a year while I was working on other tasks on each project.

[BobK]

Here is a thought..... Maybe the earlier coatings were not compatible with the change over to fuels with ethanol in them ? I would think if properly applied, coatings made for today's fuels would be fine.

[55 Fargo]

Here is my new plan for the gas tank.

I have another 1955 dodge truck gas tank, it's actually in better condition at least on the outside than my current tank.

I have had this tank with drain open and protected for a few years. it was in service until the 90s.

So will pull this tank, get it cleaned and coated or will try red kote.

With a fresh tank, it can then become a direct R&R, without much down time....

[55 Fargo]

Why not coat the inside? It gives it the best chance of a longer service life. If you aren't going to coat it, then I wouldn't get it dunked, it will shorten it's life if you do one and not the other. Just drop the tank, and give it a quick flush out...I use oven cleaner and some nuts and bolts shaken around to get the debris out, then just drop them out, or use a magnet...then flush with methyl or gas and ready to go

Hmmm, just pulled gas tank tonight, a few rusty patches on bottom of tank , but lots of rust free metal in the tank.

Now do i wash and flush out tank and put back in service with new sender, or have it cleaned, and chance holes and get it relined....hmmm

I have been using this tank for 4 years, without issues, have 2 inline filters for it.....Hmmmm

[ggdad1951]

clean, repair and coat

[55 Fargo]

clean, repair and coat

Its in the shop right now, and will be ready next week 250 buck$

[pflaming]

I'm reminded of two adages: 1) if it ain't broke, don't fix it and / or 2) fix it til it's broke,

[55 Fargo]

I'm reminded of two adages: 1) if it ain't broke, don't fix it and / or 2) fix it til it's broke,

Whats yur point?????

[pflaming]

Only that you an I see things differently, you are preventative maintenance while I "roll the dice". We both have ample company thus there are defenses for both.

[DJ194950]

Paul is Frugal, maybe to an extreme??         

[pflaming]

Ihave a friend, ten years my senior, whose fruit packing line packed a thousand #'s an hour!which was a sizable line in the '80's. At close of each season his mechanics pulled, steam cleaned, and put in storage all conveyor belts, then steamed cleaned, greased the packing line, and left it alone til start up of next season.

His approach to repair was that the line was working when shut down so it should work when started up the following season. I learned the expression " If it ain't broke, don't fix it" from him. His way is but one but it worked for him and his personality.

He was a wealthy businessman.

Edited March 7, 2015 by pflaming

[55 Fargo]

Ihave a friend, ten years my senior, whose fruit packing line packed a thousand #'s an hour!which was a sizable line in the '80's. At close of each season his mechanics pulled, steam cleaned, and put in storage all conveyor belts, then steamed cleaned, greased the packing line, and left it alone til start up of next season.

His approach to repair was that the line was working when shut down so it should work when started up the following season. I learned the expression " If it ain't broke, don't fix it" from him. His way is but one but it worked for him and his personality.

He was a wealthy businessman.

Yes PP I know what the meaning of the statement is. I just don't get how it applies in this thread. I had to pull the tank to install a new fuel gauge sender, the tank has rust in it, it needs attention, i could have put it back in service, and let the tank continue to rust until it had holes.

So it was BROKE it needed FIXIN