Rusty Bowtie

General Category => General Discussion - Intros => Topic started by: 28chevyguy on October 23, 2014, 04:34:52 PM

Title: tips on restoring old Gas tank
Post by: 28chevyguy on October 23, 2014, 04:34:52 PM
anyone have any tips ?  Theres a bunch of junk bouncing around in there, hasnt seen fuel in who know how long.  it is very solid in and out .   Should i swoosh around some liquid rust disolver?  neutralize , then search for some inner tank coating?    I want to do this without paying the guys down the road 300-400 bucks
Title: Re: tips on restoring old Gas tank
Post by: madmike3434 on October 23, 2014, 04:58:02 PM
What we used to do was to put all kinds of sharp smallish stones into the tank and rotate it around, shake it, to bust the rust off the sides, then empty it.  Then we would get a motorcycle tank sealer and slosh it around until it covered all the inside and let it dry.

When I had another tank done years later in a hot tank ?? the center baffle broke loose at a gas tank repair place , I don't know how they epoxied it back in place, but we shall see.  Its on the shelf to be put into shazzbott. 

There is a few sellers of gas tank sealer......bill Hirsch on east coast comes to mind.   I would also check with eastwood they seem to have the latest and the best products.
mike lynch           8)
Title: Re: tips on restoring old Gas tank
Post by: 62131 on October 23, 2014, 05:29:15 PM
I took my tank to a radiator shop and had it cleaned then  put a heat gun in the opening and dry it out for several hours then coated the inside with red coat. sealer, I haven't used it yet so I cant give a response on how good that product is. I will be using two gas filters thought one before the pump and one after.
Title: Re: tips on restoring old Gas tank
Post by: TFoch on October 23, 2014, 06:35:50 PM
I've heard of guys doing what Mike said, putting a bunch of rocks in it and taking it for a ride in the back of a pick up.  I have taken one to the radiator shop to have it "hot tanked" and that worked well.  Don't spend too much though because you can buy a new one for $300 through Tanks http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=255/category_id=63/mode=prod/prd255.htm  If it's solid take it for a ride.  If you search on here 32chevyvette did some cleaning with molasses with good results, just another option.
Tom
Title: Re: tips on restoring old Gas tank
Post by: EDNY on October 23, 2014, 06:39:04 PM
I would think using a length of chain would work? Just be sure you don't have baffles..I have one of those flexible cameras for looking inside walls etc.

They do sell liquid tank liner kits.....
Title: Re: tips on restoring old Gas tank
Post by: madmike3434 on October 23, 2014, 07:36:11 PM
actually I remember reading the MOLASSES rust remover on here. I forgot that broken glass is another sharp object that we used.

I think most gas tanks have a central baffle to control sloshing inside the tank.

Small chain that would get easily under the central baffle would be good too.

you can buy a steel gas tank for around $300 and for a few dollars more you can get larger capacity tanks for some models.

  TANKS INC    https://www.google.ca/#q=Tanks+Inc.

mike 8)

Title: Re: tips on restoring old Gas tank
Post by: Rattiac on October 23, 2014, 07:56:07 PM
Check out my build thread, but I believe I got a kit from Summit about $50 or so.
Title: Re: tips on restoring old Gas tank
Post by: 28chevyguy on October 23, 2014, 09:46:42 PM
All Great ideas.   I have used molasses, it works great but I havn't gotten with a bigger set up yet, wish i coulda just drop the whole car in.. :).  the stones seems like a good idea too , hm..   im going to try and look inside better tomorrow see what im really dealin with , hopefully the baffle isnt banging around in there already

   those new tanks are nice but id have to install the 28 sending unit which i did recently get working , want to keep as original appearing as possible  .   
Title: Re: tips on restoring old Gas tank
Post by: madmike3434 on October 23, 2014, 10:52:35 PM
if the baffle is banging around, your going to know it, with just a shake of the tank.

mike
Title: Re: tips on restoring old Gas tank
Post by: chopper526 on October 24, 2014, 09:57:23 AM
I had a '38 Plymouth a few years back. I put in a bunch of nuts and bolts, shook it around, washed it out, blew it out with air and then used a a two part, cleaner/sealer kit from Eastwood. It worked great, even sealed up some pinholes. Had the truck for about 5 years with no problems.
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