Cleaning Out Fuel Tank

[JINGA]

The fuel tank from my 79 Cher is now out and ready to be cleaned up. After reading a few posts on this, I am considering a few options.

1) The metal prep stuff I bought at NAPA. It doesn't say specifically that it is for the inside of gas tanks...but then again it doesn't say it isn't. I told the sales-dude what I wanted to do and he handed me that bottle. It looks like it is general-purpose metal prep. Any ideas on what gas will do to that?

2) POR-15.

3) A tank sealer product like the second item at this link: http://www.kanter.com/fueltank.html

4) Or a whole kit like this:
http://www.eastwoodco.com/cgi-bin/sgin0101.exe
But that link might be messed up, it's similar to the first item in the link from #3, above.

5) Take the tank to a shop and have them clean/prep it. One member posted in a message that he had this done for $60 which is the price of one of those kits! (Only a little more than the other one.)

If I can use the stuff I already own, then that would be my first choice. Spend some effort, but no money.
If I need to spend money, I'm inclined to let a shop do the job. Spend the money and do no work. If the cost of sending it out is roughly the same as a kit, I would prefer to send it out.

So that brings in another question. I read in the other thread that radiator shops can (sometimes) do this work. Does anyone in Atlanta know of a radiator shop that could prep my tank?

Thanks,
Jeff

[infincool]

I think POR makes soem stuff specifically for that purpose check em out www.por-15.com (http://www.por-15.com)

[JINGA]

Yeah, I think the one from kanter.com (see above) is actually POR, they just superimposed a different logo in the picture to cover up the part on the can that says "POR." It's actually a bit cheaper from kantor after shipping.

Has anyone tried this? I'd rather not buy more stuff, but if someone can recommend the POR fuel tank sealer, I'll buy it.

Jeff

[gsmikie]

i take mine to the radiator shop they also do motorcycle tanks cheaper than the kits- better -job -fast

[Tad]

I did my own, PIA, still ain't right, still looking for a 33 gal Bronco tank so I can pitch that baby.

[JINGA]

Okay.
I got a variety of quotes from radiator shops on this. To clean it (one guy said "boil"?), will cost about $65-$75.

A couple guys said clean+line=$125-$135.

One guy said he won't line it because tanks usually don't need it and he has had bad luck with the liners coming undone some time down the road.

What do you guys think?

I think paying to get it cleaned correctly is a good idea. Do you think I can skip the lining? Would it be wise to have it cleaned professionally and then line it myself?

[Tad]

I think the guy who said it doesnt need lining, doesn't do lining.
I also think that after it gets boiled out it's going to need to be lined to prevent rust.

Anyone done this without lining the tank?

I cleaned the pi$$ out of mine and didn't line it, figured I would have a replacement tank in by now with more capacity in the back.
I run 3 fuel filters now, 1 in the carb inlet, 1 before the pump, and 1 right out of the tank. I replace the one right out of the tank about every 4 tankfulls, clogged with rust.
On a side note, I am getting very fast a changing it.

[gsmikie]

the motorcycle shops sell a tank kit called kreme it will do your tank it runs $30-$40 for the complete kit

[Green Giant]

FWIW The parts man at a tractor dealership I used to be associated with used the cycle kits to line vintage (50's) tractor tanks because you could not get replacements. Never had a complaint, ever.

[littlebigman]

tadsal,

explain to me why you need to replace the one fuel filter every four tankfuls. is the fuel filter that dirty when you change it? wow, that knocks my socks off. more info please.

[ChuckWag]

Jeff:

For my nickel, there's NO WAY I'd do this job myself...cleaning OR lining. Once you empty the tank of all the old gas and crud, THAT's when it gets dangerous--the vapors are just aching to find a little tiny spark...and then FOOOOOMP! You're fried or at least got the bejeezus scared out of yoash. I'd pay the 60 or 120 or whatever to have the tank professionally cleaned and lined...find a shop that doesn't hesitate to give you references..they'll probably give you a list of repair shops they do work for. Good luck,

CR

[Tad]

The filter is filled with very small rust particles (want pic's, I probably have 5 or 6 laying around the shop) by the 4th tank and reduces the amount of fuel I can pump at even 1/2 throttle. I swap in a new one and I'm back to normal in 10 seconds. Doing the tank myself was a great experience, I now know whats in there.
Whoopy do, I should have had it boiled and relined.
I will, and honestly thought then that I would just run this tank for a couple of months and then junk it.
Do it right the first time if you are going to keep it.

[JINGA]

Thank you for the wisdom, gentlemen. You might have just kept me from making a costly mistake.

I was just about to leave the house with my tank to go have it boiled, figuring I could reline myself. I was going to use the guy who doesn't reline, but now I think I'll take it elsewhere.

The guy I talked to who doesn't do relining is the guy who suggested it doesn't need it. Interesting point Tadsal. A business man who recommends services he doesn't do won't stay in business long, I suppose. He said he used to do it but it doesn't last. Maybe he doesn't have what it takes to do it right?

So, after these replies I think I'll bite the bullet and go deeper into debt and have this done correctly (read "expensively"). If I relined myself and messed it up, the $20 or so I'd "save" would quickly be wasted. Besides, the point of this exercise is to ensure the tank is 100%.

I'll update with before and after pics.