'35 gas tank yuck

[Steve in Denver]

Any ideas on how to get the remaining yuck out of a gas tank? I had it hot tanked and he got most of it out.

He says the only way he can get the rest out is to cut the tank open and sand blast it.

POR 15 has a cleaner, but not sure if that will get the remaining yuck out if hot tanking it did not.

Then POR15 only comes with a quart of sealer, not sure how to get that all over the tank including the baffels. Seems like a gallon would be a better solution.

[TJ]

Why not buy a new tank? Saves you time and money and you have new fresh metal.

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by TJ

Why not buy a new tank? Saves you time and money and you have new fresh metal.

Tom, do you know if the sending unit hole on the new tank is compatible with the OEM sending unit? I've always wondered about this.

[TonyM]

Use two old tires around the tank. Add the POR-15. Agitate the mix by rolling the tank around for a couple hours. Or pay some kid to do it. Worked for me.

[Anteek29]

Time for a new tank!

[petehoovie]

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Originally Posted by TonyM

Use two old tires around the tank. Add the POR-15. Agitate the mix by rolling the tank around for a couple hours. Or pay some kid to do it. Worked for me.

[Steve in Denver]

Thanks, yes I have suggested a new tank to this owner at least 4 times. New tank, new electric sending unit, new dash gauge, new wire. He wants to stay original. I have also told him that several Barners have said his hydrostatic sending unit will probably quite 6 months from now, then he will be buying a new tank, etc....

[marko39]

Muratic acid will dissolve that rust followed by neutralizing. Then a good metal prep and then the sealer. Just make sure you do it outside (acid)

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by Steve in Denver

Thanks, yes I have suggested a new tank to this owner at least 4 times. New tank, new electric sending unit, new dash gauge, new wire. He wants to stay original. I have also told him that several Barners have said his hydrostatic sending unit will probably quite 6 months from now, then he will be buying a new tank, etc....

You can install a 1936 electric sending unit and gauge in a 1935 car. You probably already know that though.

[OhioRick]

Another option.
Rent a small cement mixer and buy some polishing media.
Cheap. The mixer must have an opening large enough but it’ll clean that tank quickly.

[Don T]

Muriatic acid will take the rust out but you will find it only marginally effective if it has not been degreased prior; any type of degreaser will do. Do not breath the fumes, do not do it on concrete you want to keep, wear rubber gloves and old clothes, do not cause a splash. When the rust is gone you will have to dilute the acid, then neutralize then dry the tank. You will get flash rust but the sealer should take care of it. One qt will do a tank; you will have to roll the tank to place the sealer. You will have to figure out where to dump the cruddy contents/acid. It is not expensive but is a lot of dangerous time consuming work. I did my truck tank only because it was going to cost a gazillion $ shipping for a new one and I had the place to do it. It is still sealed after 6 years, was a Hirsh product. How long it will last I do not know. A rad shop will not likely be able to clean it well enough to apply the sealer. I suggest that if I had to do it again I would spend my children's inheritance and go for a new tank.

[woodburnranch]

Originally Posted by OhioRick

Another option.
Rent a small cement mixer and buy some polishing media.
Cheap. The mixer must have an opening large enough but it’ll clean that tank quickly.

Some of my farmer friends have tied a dirty tank containing polishing media to the rear wheel of a tractor and driven it a while to clean things up.

[OldGold360]

I use either a radiator shop or a metal cleaning service. The radiator shop that I’ve used many times (Performance Radiator, Tacoma WA) can also coat the inside of the tank which I’ve had good luck with.

[Steve in Denver]

Thanks everyone, it has been hot tanked and is as clean as they can get it, not grease, just 80 years of old gas residue. I delivered the tank to my friend and for the 5th time, I told him what all of you said, Buy a new tank. But he wants to keep it original and the '35 tank has a smaller opening for the sending unit than the '36 has. He is going to try the 'POR 15 cleaner. I suggested to him that he get several quarts of their sealer as it has 3 baffels in it and one quart will not coat everything.

Somene suggested two tires and rolling it around that way and I told him that.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Steve in Denver

Thanks everyone, it has been hot tanked and is as clean as they can get it, not grease, just 80 years of old gas residue. .

[swedishsteel]

If it is old gas residue, try a solution of lye. Worked good for me cleaning a fuel tank off an old bulldozer, looked worse than yours.

[Kube]

Time to speak with the owner on his level. Something like "listen dumbass, this tank is not gonna be 100% no matter what".
It is really time for the owner to get a reality check.

You can bring the tank to a place like Redi-strip and have them dip it. It will come out appearing as new.
Be very careful with the application of any sealer. If that tank is not super clean and free from any residue, the sealer will peel away in due course.
Also, if you apply the sealer and there are edges that didn't get coated, the sealer will pull away.
Just get a new tank....

[Steve in Denver]

had that conversation this afternoon when we delivered the tank. I said, "For the fifth time, everyone I have talked to on the Barn, says, REPLCE THE TANK". He wants to keep it original. When it leaves him on the side of the road because the line is plugged up, then maybe he will listen. Or someone will get a great deal on a really nice maroon '35 roadster.

[Planojc]

_I installed a new tank and sending unit, along with a 35 fuel gauge in my 35 several years ago and it works great. The 36 gauge was a bolt in with no mods and is hard to tell it's not original to the 35. I went with a tank and sending unit from Tanks.

[19Fordy]

Like many have said. Best bet is to buy a new tank. You can redrill the new tank to match old sending unit mounting holes or buy an adapter OR simply make one.