cleaning gas tank out

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broncofan
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Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 1:12 pm
Location: FT. Hood, TX.

cleaning gas tank out

Post by broncofan »

ok guys, whats the best way to get all the caked up varnish stuff out of the tank without breaking any laws? I couldnt believe how nasty it looked and smelled after I dropped the tank.
2013 Taurus SHO LMS V11 tune, 06 F150 Harley-Davidson Edition,03 Mustang GT Conv, 97 Jeep GC Laredo 5.2, 84 BII
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cajun66
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Location: Louisiana

Re: cleaning gas tank out

Post by cajun66 »

My truck sat up since 2001 with a hole in the tank so all gas evaporated into varnish. After dropping the tank, I took a hammer and lightly tapped all over which broke up most of the varnish. My shop-vac with a good dust filter removed all the loose stuff. I found the holes with a flashlight and brazed them shut. I then used my pressure washer to break up as much as I could. After drying out the tank with a hot air gun, I took a wire brush and stuck my arm in the big hole and took care of the rest.
Hope this helps.
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Illigitimus Non Carbarundum
1985 Bronco2
1958 Willys CJ5
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RClem
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Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 5:38 am
Location: Yakima

Re: cleaning gas tank out

Post by RClem »

I had my granddaughter stick her hand inside the tank with a acetone soaked rag and wipe it clean, took about half an hour.

Ray
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cajun66
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Location: Louisiana

Re: cleaning gas tank out

Post by cajun66 »

I do a lot of work on old motorcycles and I use this trick a lot too:

Put a few pounds of gravel and a box of sheet metal screws in the tank, tape off the holes, Use bungee cords and tie the tank to the inside of a tractor rim. Cut a few acres of grass. Shiney.
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
Illigitimus Non Carbarundum
1985 Bronco2
1958 Willys CJ5
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RClem
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Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 5:38 am
Location: Yakima

Re: cleaning gas tank out

Post by RClem »

That really sounds neat, but, I don't have a tractor, let alone a field to work in.
oneway
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Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:28 pm
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Re: cleaning gas tank out

Post by oneway »

lol @ cajun - when I had my motorcycle gas tank powder coated...i totally forgot i had the inside lined with a thin vinyl to prevent corrosion...well....vinyl in an oven at XXXXX degrees to cure the powder coat = disaster for the inside.

i pulled out the big stuff (was like burnt newspaper) with a coat hanger and then tossed in about $5.00 in change (mostly pennies) and shook the hell out of it...took about 2 hours...but worked flawlessy.
1990 Bronco II 4x4 2.9 auto
1999 Suzuki GSXR 750 (street & track - modded)
1997 Suzuki GSXR 600 (track only - modded)
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cajun66
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Re: cleaning gas tank out

Post by cajun66 »

Improv has worked for me in the past.
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
Illigitimus Non Carbarundum
1985 Bronco2
1958 Willys CJ5
broncofan
Posts: 78
Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 1:12 pm
Location: FT. Hood, TX.

Re: cleaning gas tank out

Post by broncofan »

Alright guys, got it all back together and shes running. now for the hard part, since the carb was rebuilt i need to fine tune
it. She runs well at high idle but stalls when I idle it down. found 1 leak at base of carb (air leak) rubber hose at base was bad. TSP seems to be working, and she drives ok, but lugs when i slow down for corners, any ideas would be appreciated thanks
2013 Taurus SHO LMS V11 tune, 06 F150 Harley-Davidson Edition,03 Mustang GT Conv, 97 Jeep GC Laredo 5.2, 84 BII
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