Gas tank cleaning
 

A few weeks ago I posted a question about cleaning out a gas tank. I put some paint thinner in the tank and nothing came out. This is a late 31 tank with an indented firewall. One very good answer that I followed up on my question was from "psimet", He suggested using acetone. It dissolved the residue at the bottom of the tank and I was able to pour acetone into the tank and leave it in overnight. Eventually it came out after absorbing a lot of the red stuff. I bought another gallon of acetone and am using most of that gallon in the same way. The first half gallon displaced almost another half gallon that came out and almost filled up my plastic tea bottles.


My history with the car. I bought it probably 12-15 years ago and drove it a few miles. Previous owner had it for a long tome and he said that he drove it around before he took it to Florida where it sat in a garage for years. He said that he drove it into the garage. I traillered it home. It was amazing that it ran when the rotor did not turn and the shaft was missing. I replaced that and it started up. Only drove it a few miles before I put it aside.


I put a bore scope into the tank filler. It shows a lot of red residue all over the baffles and sides. I don't know what the red is. Is that something the previous owner put in? Will gasoline displace it? No gasoline in yet.


I am not spending an unlimited amount of money on $20/gallon acetone that is dangerous and hazzardous waste. I purchased a batch of inline filters and will fire up the engine to see what happens.



Any thoughts from you are welcome.


Vic

Re: Gas tank cleaning
 

My guess is that someone in the past put a sealer material in the tank. The sealer that I used once was red.
If you are not getting any crud in the fuel line filter, or the fuel valve filter, I would just leave it alone.

Re: Gas tank cleaning
 

I never knew about putting sealer material into the tank. I should get the shipment of filters in a few days. A few gallons of gasoline (no ethanol) will go in the tank. in a few days.


Depending on what happens, I may try 411 Rust remover after.


Vic

Re: Gas tank cleaning
 

Check into dirty leg filtering ! Remove the firewall valve ( save it ) 3/8 close nipple, 1/4 turn 3/8 brass ball valve and valve ( local hardware store) 3/8 close nipple, 3/8 to 1/2 bushing, 1/2 tee, 2 1/2 drop 1/2 nipple and a cap, bushings out to your fuel line. Close off the valve and fun the carburetor dry, remove the 1/2 cap and see if and how much rust you capture, then check it periodically. It will filter the rust you’ll never need to replace store bought filters ! When you have the original valve out hand twist a drill bit and clean out the trough ( bottom of the gas tank ) use a bore brush and clean out the remaining rust and crud . The only filter I have is the inlet screen filter in the Zenith carburetor ! All of the above fittings a purchased where brass that will not rust, cost me about 60 $

Re: Gas tank cleaning
 

Sounds like Redcoat. Used by radiator shops and dissolved by acetone.
https://www.ftrs.com.au/redkote/