Bingster Posted May 21, 2023 Report Share Posted May 21, 2023 I've seen various methods on YouTube for cleaning out fuel tanks interiors: Vinegar, PR-15 kit, etc. Then the bolts and nuts to shake around. I'm not certain mine can be restored. I haven't taken it off yet. But I rebuilt the pump and I agree that the whole fuel system should be replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniper Posted May 21, 2023 Report Share Posted May 21, 2023 I would go with new unless there is no new available. https://vansauto.com/product/41-48-dodge-plymouth-desoto-chrysler-6-cylinder-gas-tank/ My 51's tank is in excellent condition, fortunately, because there is no new available. Not sure if a different tank can be made to work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Hiebert Posted May 21, 2023 Report Share Posted May 21, 2023 An option, perhaps not the least expensive, but in the long run the least taxing on your patience - Most competent radiator shops also do gas tanks. First things first, they'll let you know if your tank is even restorable. Clean, solder or patch if necessary, seal, etc. They use chemicals to clean them, vs. beating them up with inserted foreign objects, and test them to insure they don't leak. You don't have to worry about handling any chemicals, sealants, or still explosive old gasoline vapor. I've had two gas tanks restored by radiator shops with no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan G Posted May 22, 2023 Report Share Posted May 22, 2023 About a dozen years ago I had an old tank I intended to clean and recoat so I bought the POR-15 kit. The first step is their cleaner/degreaser. After that, I decided not to go any further. Two rounds of that stuff (mixed with hot water) removed an amazing amount of crud. Mine proved solid, just crudded up, and I figured any attempts at coating could foul things up. I would second the idea that, if the tank has serious issues, a replacement is worth doing. On models where it is available, the price really isn't that bad. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bingster Posted May 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2023 It's all about $$$. I don't mind the time if the tank is basically sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D35 Torpedo Posted May 22, 2023 Report Share Posted May 22, 2023 I strapped mine to a cement mixer with gravel and evaporust in it. 14 hours later it was spotless inside. It developed a leak around the outlet fitting while it was being installed. So I pulled it back out and soldered it up...with a torch...with gas in it...when it comes down to it, what are you comfortable with, and willling to do to get the results you want? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bingster Posted May 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2023 I'd be comfortable with everything you said up until "with gas in it!!" 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Los_Control Posted May 22, 2023 Report Share Posted May 22, 2023 HA HA I did a 2nd look at that also ..... so many horror stories. Some true, some not. I watched a video of a guy welding on a freshly used tank, he flushed it with water then using duct tape sealed all holes. Connected a shop vac hose to exhaust pipe from a running car to the fill neck on the tank. Kinda a mickey mouse way to do things but worked ok. The carbon dioxide from the exhaust removed all oxygen from the tank so there really was nothing that could explode. I gotta take some precautions before I weld on a tank ...... Still not confident I would have correct sized Moose balls to do it anyways. Using acids to clean a tank bothers me. I assure you that some murriatic acid in your tank would remove the rust. But if you do not get every bit of it properly neutralized afterwards ..... you will have bigger problems then you started with. There are safer products to use, like evaporust or the citrus products ..... Then mechanically turning them with gravel in them. Let a radiator shop deal with it? You have options. The way I figure it, you will spend money to correct this problem. Por15 kit is $100. A radiator shop I bet would be more. Evapo rust then strap to a wheel to turn it for hours .... You have the cost of the product + the fuel or electric cost to turn the tank for hours. You have no guarantee that if you spend $100 on it to clean it, that it will work & you can use it. Then you are looking for a replacement for sure. It is very possible now that you have your tank out, have dimensions. ...... you could go to pick & pull and grab something from a modern vehicle that you could make work? Or possibly find something from a small vehicle that you can safely strap down inside the trunk .... Think race car with a fuel cell. Or after the hours, fuel, time searching for a shortcut, rides home on a flatbed ..... A new $300 fuel tank looks pretty good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniper Posted May 23, 2023 Report Share Posted May 23, 2023 Los pretty much hit on my thinking. Add into the fact that once you clean it you may find out you had a worse situation than you thought you did LOL. I have 13 letters in my last name so that's the way my luck runs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyHarold Posted May 23, 2023 Report Share Posted May 23, 2023 FWIW, I went with Gas Tank Renu for my '52 Cambridge. The tank is cleaned, weak or rusted-out areas repaired, and then coated with a baked-on sealer. The work was done around 1995, and the tank is still good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBNeal Posted May 23, 2023 Report Share Posted May 23, 2023 additional information - Gas Tank Renu Testimonial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D35 Torpedo Posted May 23, 2023 Report Share Posted May 23, 2023 9 hours ago, Bingster said: I'd be comfortable with everything you said up until "with gas in it!!" It was a cold day and vaporization was minimal. Confidence comes with understanding. Even if I had of ignited the vapor, the filler neck was open, so it wasn't a pressure vessel, It can't explode. That and my middle name is danger. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bingster Posted May 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2023 Thanks Danger. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Buchanan Posted May 23, 2023 Report Share Posted May 23, 2023 (edited) I "repaired" my tank with a VISA card...... https://vansauto.com/product/41-48-dodge-plymouth-desoto-chrysler-6-cylinder-gas-tank/ Edited May 23, 2023 by Sam Buchanan 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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