The Ford Barn

wrndln · 08-01-2025, 08:32 AM

This may have been covered before, but I don't know. The gas tank in the car I am restoring, a 29 phaeton, has been empty for a long time. The gas tank is in the car and painted. When I removed the shutoff valve on the bottom of the tank, there was some rust dust on the top of the valve that was inside the empty tank. I believe the tank is probably OK, with no leaks. I am now trying to figure out how to remove rust dust that is undoubtedly in the bottom of the tank. I could just put an inline gas filter on the gas line from the sediment bowl and the carburetor and change it when it fills up with rust particles after putting gas in the tank and running the engine. However, I would rather get the rust dust out before putting gas in the tank. If anyone has suggestions on how to remove most or all the rust dust, please post a response.
Thanks

nkaminar · 08-01-2025, 09:25 AM

There are several rust removing liquids on the market. Evapo-rust is one. It puts the rust in solution and will not harm the un-rusted steel. It is not toxic. You could put a gallon in the tank and then slosh it around by jumping on the running board. There are others that can be diluted to fill up the 10 gallon tank.

After that, put a gallon of gasoline in the tank and slosh it around and then drain it.

Google "rust remover".

katy · 08-01-2025, 09:39 AM

For starters, an air hose through the filler neck will get a lot out.

P.S. · 08-01-2025, 09:40 AM

The rust removal products range from mild to ridiculously aggressive. I suggest choosing something mild for a Model A fuel tank. After sloshing it around to coat all internal surfaces- Leave it overnight. I have had great success with simple vinegar/distilled water mixtures. Just be sure you rinse the tank VERY well afterward. Diesel fuel makes an excellent fuel tank rinse solution.

This video might help with the rest once the tank is rust-free: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU75xsikTps

Cape Codder · 08-01-2025, 10:30 AM

I'm wondering if you could build up some air pressure in the tank via the filler neck and release it via the shut off valve at the bottom, especially if it is dust.

Ayers1 · 08-01-2025, 12:24 PM

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I agree with posts 2 and 4. Before I take those steps I have a smal hose that I have adapted to a shop vac. I use the shop vacuum to pull what I can, flush out well with water, then proceed with the steps above. If the car is finished, you can pull the floorboards and let everything go out the bottom of the tank and on the floor.

Keith True · 08-01-2025, 01:06 PM

Just how serious is this rust? Just powder? Blow it out until you gat no more red clouds.They can stand a little bit of rust floating around.That's what the sediment bowl is for.Use a finger screen in the shutoff valve,the screen in the sediment bowl,and the screen in the carb inlet.Those all work pretty good.The actual inlet to the jets is raised up a little in the carb,not on the bottom,so silt can settle there too.If the tank truly has no fumes,the shop vac will do a good job.Gas fumes and a shop vac make a lot of noise.I have a vac for sucking the gas out of boat bilges,that one is safe,but a regular one,very entertaining.

nkaminar · 08-01-2025, 05:04 PM

Put a strong magnet in the bottom of the sediment bowl.

wrndln · 08-02-2025, 11:23 AM

Thanks to all that responded. I now have some useful ideas on how to remove the powdered rust.
Rusty Nelson

Brentwood Bob · 08-02-2025, 04:46 PM

Never use a vacuum around any fuel tank!

Fullraceflathead · 08-03-2025, 11:13 AM

Caution if you have any fuel vapor fumes at all never use a shop vac the sparks in the electric motor will ignite the fumes!!!

Ayers1 · 08-03-2025, 12:14 PM

Sorry guys, I wasn't thinking about it but when I use a vacuum, the tank hasn't seen gas in a long time. They are usually dry and odor/fume free.

ronn · 08-03-2025, 03:06 PM

I'm wondering if you could build up some air pressure in the tank via the filler neck and release it via the shut off valve at the bottom, especially if it is dust.

I blow them out with a shop vac. never any harm..............

wrndln · 08-03-2025, 04:15 PM

ronn,
Your idea sounds good. It could also detect any leaks - thanks. I think a few pounds of pressure would be enough.
Rusty Nelson

08-01-2025, 08:32 AM	#1
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,297	Rust dust in gas tank This may have been covered before, but I don't know. The gas tank in the car I am restoring, a 29 phaeton, has been empty for a long time. The gas tank is in the car and painted. When I removed the shutoff valve on the bottom of the tank, there was some rust dust on the top of the valve that was inside the empty tank. I believe the tank is probably OK, with no leaks. I am now trying to figure out how to remove rust dust that is undoubtedly in the bottom of the tank. I could just put an inline gas filter on the gas line from the sediment bowl and the carburetor and change it when it fills up with rust particles after putting gas in the tank and running the engine. However, I would rather get the rust dust out before putting gas in the tank. If anyone has suggestions on how to remove most or all the rust dust, please post a response. Thanks

08-01-2025, 09:25 AM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,863	Re: Rust dust in gas tank There are several rust removing liquids on the market. Evapo-rust is one. It puts the rust in solution and will not harm the un-rusted steel. It is not toxic. You could put a gallon in the tank and then slosh it around by jumping on the running board. There are others that can be diluted to fill up the 10 gallon tank. After that, put a gallon of gasoline in the tank and slosh it around and then drain it. Google "rust remover". __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-01-2025, 09:39 AM	#3
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,715	Re: Rust dust in gas tank For starters, an air hose through the filler neck will get a lot out. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

08-01-2025, 09:40 AM	#4
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Hazzard County Posts: 1,922	Re: Rust dust in gas tank The rust removal products range from mild to ridiculously aggressive. I suggest choosing something mild for a Model A fuel tank. After sloshing it around to coat all internal surfaces- Leave it overnight. I have had great success with simple vinegar/distilled water mixtures. Just be sure you rinse the tank VERY well afterward. Diesel fuel makes an excellent fuel tank rinse solution. This video might help with the rest once the tank is rust-free: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU75xsikTps __________________ 2024-2025 MAFCA Technical Director

08-01-2025, 10:30 AM	#5
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,337	Re: Rust dust in gas tank I'm wondering if you could build up some air pressure in the tank via the filler neck and release it via the shut off valve at the bottom, especially if it is dust. __________________ I don't care if the "A" Starts BUT sure WANT IT TO STOP!

08-01-2025, 12:24 PM	#6
Ayers1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Waynesboro Va. Posts: 507	Re: Rust dust in gas tank Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I agree with posts 2 and 4. Before I take those steps I have a smal hose that I have adapted to a shop vac. I use the shop vacuum to pull what I can, flush out well with water, then proceed with the steps above. If the car is finished, you can pull the floorboards and let everything go out the bottom of the tank and on the floor. __________________ Steve, Proud owner of 28 Fordor, been in family since 63 30 Tudor 31 S/W Town Sedan Skyline Chapter MAFCA, MARC

08-01-2025, 01:06 PM	#7
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 3,423	Re: Rust dust in gas tank Just how serious is this rust? Just powder? Blow it out until you gat no more red clouds.They can stand a little bit of rust floating around.That's what the sediment bowl is for.Use a finger screen in the shutoff valve,the screen in the sediment bowl,and the screen in the carb inlet.Those all work pretty good.The actual inlet to the jets is raised up a little in the carb,not on the bottom,so silt can settle there too.If the tank truly has no fumes,the shop vac will do a good job.Gas fumes and a shop vac make a lot of noise.I have a vac for sucking the gas out of boat bilges,that one is safe,but a regular one,very entertaining.

08-01-2025, 05:04 PM	#8
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,863	Re: Rust dust in gas tank Put a strong magnet in the bottom of the sediment bowl. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-02-2025, 11:23 AM	#9
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,297	Re: Rust dust in gas tank Thanks to all that responded. I now have some useful ideas on how to remove the powdered rust. Rusty Nelson

08-02-2025, 04:46 PM	#10
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,420	Re: Rust dust in gas tank Never use a vacuum around any fuel tank!

08-03-2025, 11:13 AM	#11
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,684	Re: Rust dust in gas tank Caution if you have any fuel vapor fumes at all never use a shop vac the sparks in the electric motor will ignite the fumes!!! __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask

08-03-2025, 12:14 PM	#12
Ayers1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Waynesboro Va. Posts: 507	Re: Rust dust in gas tank Sorry guys, I wasn't thinking about it but when I use a vacuum, the tank hasn't seen gas in a long time. They are usually dry and odor/fume free. __________________ Steve, Proud owner of 28 Fordor, been in family since 63 30 Tudor 31 S/W Town Sedan Skyline Chapter MAFCA, MARC

08-03-2025, 03:06 PM	#13
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 7,648	Re: Rust dust in gas tank I'm wondering if you could build up some air pressure in the tank via the filler neck and release it via the shut off valve at the bottom, especially if it is dust. I blow them out with a shop vac. never any harm..............

08-03-2025, 04:15 PM	#14
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,297	Re: Rust dust in gas tank ronn, Your idea sounds good. It could also detect any leaks - thanks. I think a few pounds of pressure would be enough. Rusty Nelson