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Gas Tank Rust Discussion

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by DanStew, Oct 25, 2016.

  1. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    I ran my fuel line tonight in preparation to hopefully starting it within a few weeks. The tank i got was from a buddy and i can hear rust dust and stuff moving around the tank when i turn it side to side. nothing huge and cancerous but i know it is finer scale. I originally tried to stick a shop vac down the fuller to get at it, but it didnt do much and there seems to be a baffle in the way to really get in there. I popped off the sending unit and saw it rusty and i felt under the lip and can feel rust scale. So i need to either replace the tank or get rid of rust. I know about the use or rocks, nuts and bolts to shake around and loosen up the scale. i can use the chemicals to kill the rust. But with teh baffles i feel like i would never get the rock/nuts/bolts out of the tank once i put them in there. Any other options? I do not want to try running the tank as is because i do not need teh hassle of constantly replacing filters.
     
    DanStew, Oct 25, 2016
    #1
  2. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    timgr, Oct 25, 2016
    #2
  3. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I've seen baffled tanks with a flap opened up for access, then soldered shut again.
     
    PeteL, Oct 25, 2016
    #3
  4. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Just replace it. It isn't worth the effort IMO. I prefer the MTS poly tanks..All three Jeeps here have 'em..
     
    Patrick, Oct 25, 2016
    #4
    fhoehle likes this.
  5. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    X2.
     
    nickmil, Oct 26, 2016
    #5
  6. Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    Another X2
     
    Focker, Oct 26, 2016
    #6
  7. wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    The plastic tank is the way I would go, and will go with the Willys truck when I get back to it. Never have a rust issue again as far as I can see.
     
    wheelie, Oct 27, 2016
    #7
  8. Greevesman

    Greevesman Member

    Be CAREFULL of vacuuming out a gas tank with a shop vac. Gas tanks have fumes, electric motors have sparks on the brushes. Hoe do I know? When I was a kid I uses my moms Electrolux to vacuum dirt from around a seeping sending unit. There was kind of a boom and smoke came out of the vacuum exhaust. Could have been worse.
     
    Greevesman, Oct 28, 2016
    #8
  9. ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    It probably didn't apply to your (angry) mom's Electrolux :D, but there was a myth busters episode debunking that concerning shopvacs. Apparently newer shopvacs' airflow is isolated from the motor, and it's really hard to get them to catch fire or blow up.
    Not like I'm going to test it.... :ninja:
     
    ITLKSEZ, Oct 28, 2016
    #9
  10. 73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    You could try electrolysis
     
    73 cj5, Oct 28, 2016
    #10
  11. sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    old shop vac+old snowmobile+bad gas+teenage stupidity=fireball and no hair.
     
    sterlclan, Oct 30, 2016
    #11
  12. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Well i just ordered a new tank. i was soaking the old one in ospho to try and clean it up, but when i was trying to blow some air through the outlet port, it is blocked solid. I could not shoot any air through it. Well at least i will be good for a few years :)
     
    DanStew, Nov 1, 2016
    #12