The Ford Barn

rjlester · 11-28-2023, 07:25 PM

Just picked up a parts car, a 54 Ford sedan. I just finished stripping off the PS system. Car is going into outdoor storage, aka, snowy Canadian outdoors. I noticed the fuel tank is looking pretty nice inside and the drain plug when removed looked very clean. It does smell like old gas inside, but is pretty much empty. I do intend on using this tank on a restoration in the future.

Whats the best way to keep this tank in good shape? Put some kerosene in it? Diesel? Dry it out somehow? Leave it as is? The gas cap is on it.

Car has been outside the previous 20 years at least. In my experience most tanks rot very easily if not in a running/driving vehicle so this tank is an anomaly.

paul2748 · 11-28-2023, 07:33 PM

To, the best bet would be to remove it, clean it out and store it out of the weather, like a shed

If there is a radiator shop around you, they sometimes clean gas tanks.

swedishsteel · 11-28-2023, 11:56 PM

I would dry it out and seal it and store it where heated if possible. Temp and moisture in the atmosphere move air and water vapor in and out of tanks. If there is liquid in the tank, it changes temp at a different rate than the metal of the tank, and moisture from the air condenses. I have several old dozers/track hoes/tractors all stored outside and it is constant battle minimizing rust in the fuel tanks and keeping water out of the fuel. I live in cental Minnesota, similar climate to Canada.

TJ · 11-29-2023, 11:10 AM

Check the top of the tank once you pull it out. I've seen two tanks that the top was rusty from a pad Ford used to insulate the tank from the trunk pan. My neighbor was restoring a 53 Victoria and when he tapped on the top of the tank with a small hammer it poked a big hole in the tank. This was a California rust free car and the same thing happened with my 54 Mercury.

Lanny · 11-29-2023, 11:55 AM

Do a search on the Net for a liquid fuel tank sealer. There are
quite a few different sealers, so read the reports on them.

.

38 coupe · 11-29-2023, 07:33 PM

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It is very easy to pull the gas tank from a 54 Ford. Take the cover off of the trunk floor and disconnect the gas gauge wire, take the gas cap off, undo the fuel line, undo the two straps that hold the tank on, lower the tank, done.
Store the tank inside.

Ggmac · 11-29-2023, 08:06 PM

I keep them from rusting from the inside out by saving my used motor oil and putting it in the tank . If I dont have enough to fill the tank I add diesel or kerosene.
I use the same process for keeping old motors but I fill the water cavity , cylinders and sump till it runs out .

rjlester · 11-30-2023, 04:43 PM

These are all good ideas. I've now removed the tank, poured in some varsol I had kicking around, about a quart. Car is going into outside storage, and the tank will be in the trunk for now. I will have easy access to it so I can clean it out at a point this winter when I get more time.

Thanks guys!

11-28-2023, 07:25 PM	#1
rjlester Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 247	Parts car - fuel tank care Just picked up a parts car, a 54 Ford sedan. I just finished stripping off the PS system. Car is going into outdoor storage, aka, snowy Canadian outdoors. I noticed the fuel tank is looking pretty nice inside and the drain plug when removed looked very clean. It does smell like old gas inside, but is pretty much empty. I do intend on using this tank on a restoration in the future. Whats the best way to keep this tank in good shape? Put some kerosene in it? Diesel? Dry it out somehow? Leave it as is? The gas cap is on it. Car has been outside the previous 20 years at least. In my experience most tanks rot very easily if not in a running/driving vehicle so this tank is an anomaly.

11-28-2023, 07:33 PM	#2
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: Parts car - fuel tank care To, the best bet would be to remove it, clean it out and store it out of the weather, like a shed If there is a radiator shop around you, they sometimes clean gas tanks. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

11-28-2023, 11:56 PM	#3
swedishsteel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 342	Re: Parts car - fuel tank care I would dry it out and seal it and store it where heated if possible. Temp and moisture in the atmosphere move air and water vapor in and out of tanks. If there is liquid in the tank, it changes temp at a different rate than the metal of the tank, and moisture from the air condenses. I have several old dozers/track hoes/tractors all stored outside and it is constant battle minimizing rust in the fuel tanks and keeping water out of the fuel. I live in cental Minnesota, similar climate to Canada.

11-29-2023, 11:10 AM	#4
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: Parts car - fuel tank care Check the top of the tank once you pull it out. I've seen two tanks that the top was rusty from a pad Ford used to insulate the tank from the trunk pan. My neighbor was restoring a 53 Victoria and when he tapped on the top of the tank with a small hammer it poked a big hole in the tank. This was a California rust free car and the same thing happened with my 54 Mercury.

11-29-2023, 11:55 AM	#5
Lanny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mn Posts: 2,411	Re: Parts car - fuel tank care Do a search on the Net for a liquid fuel tank sealer. There are quite a few different sealers, so read the reports on them. . __________________ If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. But if daddy ain't happy...RUN

11-29-2023, 07:33 PM	#6
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,631	Re: Parts car - fuel tank care Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It is very easy to pull the gas tank from a 54 Ford. Take the cover off of the trunk floor and disconnect the gas gauge wire, take the gas cap off, undo the fuel line, undo the two straps that hold the tank on, lower the tank, done. Store the tank inside.

11-29-2023, 08:06 PM	#7
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,101	Re: Parts car - fuel tank care I keep them from rusting from the inside out by saving my used motor oil and putting it in the tank . If I dont have enough to fill the tank I add diesel or kerosene. I use the same process for keeping old motors but I fill the water cavity , cylinders and sump till it runs out .

11-30-2023, 04:43 PM	#8
rjlester Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 247	Re: Parts car - fuel tank care These are all good ideas. I've now removed the tank, poured in some varsol I had kicking around, about a quart. Car is going into outside storage, and the tank will be in the trunk for now. I will have easy access to it so I can clean it out at a point this winter when I get more time. Thanks guys!