How to clean out gas tank on 48 DeSoto?

[MarcDeSoto]

I'm ready to boil out and seal my 1948 DeSoto gas tank. It's in very good shape with not outside rust and no pin holes.   In your experience, it is better to hire a radiator shop to do this, or do it yourself? I talked to a shop who said they would do it for about $250. And do you take the oillite fuel screen out first and how do you do that?

 

Thanks, Marc.

[knuckleharley]

You can buy a brand new tank for $250.

[MarcDeSoto]

Ebay has new tanks for over $500 with shipping.  Who sells them for $200?

 

[plymouthcranbrook]

I did mine myself about 17 years ago. Used POR 15 cleaner and then sealcoat. I used fiberglass to patch the few holes that were in the top. Not problems since. Today, I would have just bought a new one.

[MarcDeSoto]

I saw on Ebay that MoparPro has a nice looking one for $495 painted black.  And there is another one sold out of WI for $345 post paid by vanautoll.  The only difference is it is not painted.  Has anyone bought either of these tanks and what was your opinion?

[Dodgeb4ya]

Make sure the tank is dipped in a anti-corrosion zinc type coating....not a external paint type coating.

[knuckleharley]

2 hours ago, MarcDeSoto said:

Ebay has new tanks for over $500 with shipping.  Who sells them for $200?

 

Beats me,but I bought a new one that was a perfect fit for my P-15 for $250 several years ago. I can't remember for sure,but I THINK the sending unit was extra.

 

I THINK I bought it from Tanks,Inc. Been a while,and I have chemo brain.

[MarcDeSoto]

I finally decided to go with a local Radiator shop who said they would boil it out and get it rust free.  Then seal the inside with Redcote.  I haven't heard of Recote because it gets buried by the POR 15 and Eastwood ads.  I hope its good! The cost for the job he said was $248.

 https://www.ebay.com/itm/131533413846?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=131533413846&targetid=1264870805944&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9031520&poi=&campaignid=10454521883&mkgroupid=120142078937&rlsatarget=pla-1264870805944&abcId=2146002&merchantid=6426064&gclid=CjwKCAjw-sqKBhBjEiwAVaQ9a96XpCoTdqYS1HNNTrKqVxdV6-TFvQRxfM1MVt0hKDlok5f4TgVd0RoC8F8QAvD_BwE

[knuckleharley]

?I am hoping you give us a report on how well it worked a week or so after putting the tank back in,and maybe a followup 6 months later?

[Dodgeb4ya]

1 hour ago, knuckleharley said:

?I am hoping you give us a report on how well it worked a week or so after putting the tank back in,and maybe a followup 6 months later?

Make sure they deal with the Oilite disc filter. Otherwise they will seal it up too.

[MarcDeSoto]

Yes, I told him about the internal Oilite filter, which said was some kind of screen.  I read that it is some kind of sintered bronze screen.  He said it would be masked off.  I said how could you do that since you can't put your hands in there?  He said they can do it by using tools inside the tank somehow.  I wonder if blowing compressed air through the outlet pipe right after the Redcote is applied would keep the sealer out of the filter?  

[Sam Buchanan]

Or.....have him add a bung with 1/8" NPT threads so you can connect a new fuel line and plug the old filtered line.

Edited September 29, 2021 by Sam Buchanan

[Plymouthy Adams]

Good luck with that redcote or whatever they call it....I have not seen one that has not over time led to trouble and blocked fuel systems.  For the money....if your tank is that bad a shape.....get a new one and be done with the hassles.  Even if they would warrant their work...the lost time later and coming behind and disturbing your finalized build...not worth it..

[Young Ed]

I had the tank in my P15 done by gas tank renu. They said they hook an air supply to the outlet and let air constantly flow through to keep the filter clear. 

[Sam Buchanan]

41 minutes ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

Good luck with that redcote or whatever they call it....I have not seen one that has not over time led to trouble and blocked fuel systems.  For the money....if your tank is that bad a shape.....get a new one and be done with the hassles.  Even if they would warrant their work...the lost time later and coming behind and disturbing your finalized build...not worth it..

 

Yep, a new tank is the final solution and the only one that guarantees a trouble-free future.  Pay a little more than what the repair costs and be done. 

[Plymouthy Adams]

I was not out to slam a product....and I also understand being on a budget at times....that extra 100.00 spent here or there can break a deal big time.   Not all of us are empty nest and sitting back getting mail box monies.  I also should have added a couple other facts that would well pertain to the actual results one will get using any product.  The item properly prepped prior to use, following the steps in the directions point by point and in their suggested order and lastly, look at the date on the product itself.  Many of these items have a shelf life....if out of date or close to that date of expirations which we all know does not necessarily mean the product is automatic bad and not useable but meant for a true test of the product before application to ensure the product will perform as intended.   I guess my main point was that in the hands of the professional who design and created this product....the results would probably be almost guaranteed on every talking point.  But we also know the shortcuts and the 'that's close enough' will bite you in the butt every time.

[Dodgeb4ya]

8 hours ago, MarcDeSoto said:

Yes, I told him about the internal Oilite filter, which said was some kind of screen.  I read that it is some kind of sintered bronze screen.  He said it would be masked off.  I said how could you do that since you can't put your hands in there?  He said they can do it by using tools inside the tank somehow.  I wonder if blowing compressed air through the outlet pipe right after the Redcote is applied would keep the sealer out of the filter?  

Do you know that the filter is clear and not already partially plugged up?

They are tough to clean up for 100% flow if not impossible.

[Los_Control]

A lot of if and or buts here.  I have seen guys do this at home with a high failure rate. While some had good luck with it.

 

I have heard of guys sending tanks off to a professional tank restorer, a better success rate but still is the odd few that fail.

 

My thoughts on the radiator shop, you have a better chance because it is clean .... are they really professionals?

 

Then the bronze filter as old as it is ...

 

My thoughts would be to have the tank boiled out, if you can use it as is ... fine I would use it.  I would not introduce foreign  material into the tank.

Although I might use a little J-B weld on the outside of the tank 

If you pay $250 to have it repaired, and it fails ... it is finished. You will not be able to clean it out and get a 2nd try.

So now you still have to buy a new tank and out the investment in a questionable tank.

 

[knuckleharley]

4 hours ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

Good luck with that redcote or whatever they call it....I have not seen one that has not over time led to trouble and blocked fuel systems.  For the money....if your tank is that bad a shape.....get a new one and be done with the hassles.  Even if they would warrant their work...the lost time later and coming behind and disturbing your finalized build...not worth it..

The older I get,the more I hate doing the same job twice.

[Los_Control]

For some reason I think about a story of retreaded truck tires.

One driver been using retreads for years and never a problem.

Next driver tries retreads on their trailer, one comes apart, destroys a fender and the lights, sits on the side of road for hours waiting for a repair ... Swears they will never use a retread again. Just a bad experience with them.

 

Same thing with a repair on a tank by coating it ...  Some never have a problem, the next guy has issues that would drive you batty as a small piece falls off then another and then strange running issues then 2 months later a clogged fuel line. Just a very frustrating time trying to diagnose  a fuel tank liner falling apart and blocking your fuel supply temporarily.

Same time it may work perfect and never a problem ... roll of the dice.

 

 

[Sniper]

59 minutes ago, knuckleharley said:

he older I get,the more I hate doing the same job twice.

 

This,  right here, is my life's philosophy.

[Jerry Roberts]

If you are going to reuse  the tank  , why don't you remove the in-tank filter , then you don't have to worry about it . If it was me , i would put in a new tank . When my tank was giving me trouble , new tanks were not available and I had my tank cleaned and coated by Re-New . I got stalled by the side of the road a few times afterwords and finally was able to buy a new tank . No more problems . 

[Sniper]

You really cannot remove the in tank filter short of taking the tank apart.

[Jerry Roberts]

4 hours ago, Sniper said:

You really cannot remove the in tank filter short of taking the tank apart.

Some guys have used air pressure through the outlet to shatter one that was plugged . I wonder if one could be smashed with a bar through one of the openings . Or cut another hole in the tank . 

[Sniper]

Lol, yes you are right.  I was thinking along the lines of remove and reuse, not get rid of.