Rusty fuel tank.
 

I'm sure this has been covered hundreds of times on here but I can't get the search to work on my cell phone and I have time to kill while I'm waiting at the dentist office. What is good way to remove rust from inside the tank without removing it and damaging the paint? I thought about electrolysis but I read somewhere that the baffles won't allow it to work. I've also read about dumping in white vinegar or a molasses solution. My goal is to get as much out as I can for now just so I can drive it and see how everything is working. Eventually when I start to restore the car I'll have it boiled out.

Thanks,
Jeff

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

I've used the vinegar trick several times on vintage motorcycle and antique stationary engine gas tanks with great success. I'm never really in a hurry, so I can let them sit for days (or weeks?) at a time.

Works like a charm, but it'll rust again if you let it sit empty for a while. So, I try to put it back in service and fill it with gas ASAP.

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

How big are the gas tanks on an A?

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

evaporust

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

I looked at evaporust at O'Reillys and that will get pretty pricey. The directions said to fill the tank clear up with it and it's $23 for a gallon. Does vinegar dissolve the rust or just break it loose from the metal?

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

wasnt that one of the things you knew to check for a rusty tank

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

evaporust is reusable for other projects

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

Have you used evaporust? If so how were the results?

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

Yep!:rolleyes:

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

There is generic evaporust out there by mail for 1/3 or less the price and are more concentrated as well. Works the same IMHO. I currently have some from rustdepot.com and it works out to $8.60 per gallon including shipping vs $25 per gallon for evaporust including tax and it is my second gallon from them. Since then I've found rust911.com and it is $3.72 per gallon. I'll buy that next. I bought several gallons of evaporust before I discovered the generic. The stuff will fix what others won't either. It fixed the stuck glove box hinge on my 36 Ford woodie for example.

Another advantage is you can mix it up more concentrated and it works faster. For $60 you can fill up your model A gas tank and have 6 gallons of concentrate left from rust911. Stuff works great and leaves no residue like phosphoric acid does. You clean the tank out to remove the dissolved rust and black residue which I assume is from the carbon in the rust that was dissolved.

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

The attempts to clean the tank in vivo will be a good first project.
Look up dirty leg and install one.
Until you remove and have the tank boiled out you will need the dirty leg.
Bob

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

i have used it with good results..
thats all i would consider using if i was doing the job,, i stick with success

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

More or less 10 Gallons. The later '31s had 11 gallons.

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

You could half fill the tank and carefully let it sit on each side for a few days then drain it.

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

I think I'll give the evaporust a try. What all has to come apart to pull the gas tank off?

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

Does anyoneare an aftermarket gas tank?

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

nope

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

They do not make aftermarket gastanks... I'd imagine they would be trash if they made them anyhow.

Re: Rusty fuel tank.
 

I've got a tank in here right now that came in last Friday which was filled with some sort of "rust eater" (customer's word, -not mine) that he said didn't work. I suspect it worked just fine ...but the issue is, -even if it works really well and removes all of the rust from the inside metal, what do you suppose happens in a few days once the rust has been removed from the bare tank metal? I suspect it will be obvious to us as soon as we get the tank cut open! ;) )