The Ford Barn

Robert Putnam · 05-28-2013, 06:35 PM

What's the best product for cleaning the inside of a Model T gas tank... something to remove old varnish and build up. Need to solder some visable pin holes and want to make sure old varnish isn't covering up others.

J Franklin · 05-28-2013, 07:38 PM

New gas tanks up to 1925 are available at reasonable prices from most suppliers. That might be something to look into.

Robert Putnam · 05-28-2013, 07:42 PM

Yes, I should have mentioned it's a 27 !

jackdaron · 05-28-2013, 09:00 PM

Go to your local hardware/paint store and buy a Qt of Acetone and a Qt of Toluene. Mix them together and with the outlet of tank plugged,pour in the mixture. Slosh it around and do so everytime you pass by it for a couple days. It is an excellent gum solvent . Drain tank and air dry. You will be ready to do repairs,

bart78 · 05-29-2013, 12:08 AM

The local radiator shop here cleans has tanks. You might look into that where you are from.

Wingfield · 05-29-2013, 06:30 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

New tanks for 27s are available also.
For the price of cleaning and the trouble it's money well spent.

Robert Putnam · 05-29-2013, 08:07 AM

From what supply house are 27 Model T Ford Gas tanks available ?

Willie in Houston · 05-29-2013, 09:39 AM

The oval tank that is used in the fordor 26/27 are available from most suppliers (same tank as the earlier touring etc)

yachtsmanbill · 05-29-2013, 10:03 AM

With the 26-27 open car tanks a bit more complicated to produce, I dont think youre gonna find a new one. If thats a cowl tank, did it rust out on the top right corner?
Theres a few restoration options for this tank. DONT try to solder up the holes; a well fitted patch soldered over the area will work much better. For inside cleaning, de-gum with your own choice of solvents, but for de-rusting, Id pour in a gallon of kero or diesel fuel and a pound of BBs. If its REALLY gnarly inside, you may need to cut it open. Bungy cord it to a riding mower rear wheel on blocks and let it rotate at idle for a few hours. The BBs will be easy to retrieve through the baffles and will knock all the rust loose. Rinse clean. After that, theres sealant available, OR, companies that do it for you. Time versus money, youll find its easier to replace than repair. Dont forget the mounting strap padding, and the padding on the top inside the cowl as well. ws

Robert Putnam · 05-29-2013, 08:24 PM

Great suggestions folks.. thanks ever so much..... Robert

05-28-2013, 06:35 PM	#1
Robert Putnam Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 41	Gas tank cleaning What's the best product for cleaning the inside of a Model T gas tank... something to remove old varnish and build up. Need to solder some visable pin holes and want to make sure old varnish isn't covering up others.

05-28-2013, 07:38 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,962	Re: Gas tank cleaning New gas tanks up to 1925 are available at reasonable prices from most suppliers. That might be something to look into.

05-28-2013, 07:42 PM	#3
Robert Putnam Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 41	Re: Gas tank cleaning Yes, I should have mentioned it's a 27 !

05-28-2013, 09:00 PM	#4
jackdaron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brownsburg,In. Posts: 383	Re: Gas tank cleaning Go to your local hardware/paint store and buy a Qt of Acetone and a Qt of Toluene. Mix them together and with the outlet of tank plugged,pour in the mixture. Slosh it around and do so everytime you pass by it for a couple days. It is an excellent gum solvent . Drain tank and air dry. You will be ready to do repairs,

05-29-2013, 12:08 AM	#5
bart78 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stephenville tx Posts: 1,019	Re: Gas tank cleaning The local radiator shop here cleans has tanks. You might look into that where you are from.

05-29-2013, 06:30 AM	#6
Wingfield Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Puyallup WA Posts: 49	Re: Gas tank cleaning Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) New tanks for 27s are available also. For the price of cleaning and the trouble it's money well spent.

05-29-2013, 08:07 AM	#7
Robert Putnam Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 41	Re: Gas tank cleaning From what supply house are 27 Model T Ford Gas tanks available ?

05-29-2013, 09:39 AM	#8
Willie in Houston Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 252	Re: Gas tank cleaning The oval tank that is used in the fordor 26/27 are available from most suppliers (same tank as the earlier touring etc)

05-29-2013, 10:03 AM	#9
yachtsmanbill Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Two Rivers, Wi. Posts: 1,406	Re: Gas tank cleaning With the 26-27 open car tanks a bit more complicated to produce, I dont think youre gonna find a new one. If thats a cowl tank, did it rust out on the top right corner? Theres a few restoration options for this tank. DONT try to solder up the holes; a well fitted patch soldered over the area will work much better. For inside cleaning, de-gum with your own choice of solvents, but for de-rusting, Id pour in a gallon of kero or diesel fuel and a pound of BBs. If its REALLY gnarly inside, you may need to cut it open. Bungy cord it to a riding mower rear wheel on blocks and let it rotate at idle for a few hours. The BBs will be easy to retrieve through the baffles and will knock all the rust loose. Rinse clean. After that, theres sealant available, OR, companies that do it for you. Time versus money, youll find its easier to replace than repair. Dont forget the mounting strap padding, and the padding on the top inside the cowl as well. ws __________________ " Warning; the following contains content that the anal retentive may find offensive - please skip on to the next posting!"

05-29-2013, 08:24 PM	#10
Robert Putnam Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 41	Re: Gas tank cleaning Great suggestions folks.. thanks ever so much..... Robert