gas tank

[thirstycanadian]

I will be replacing one of my gas tanks (driver side saddle) with one which was used for one year then sat in my parts truck for a year, unused.  I had called a few other places who say they just hose it out.  One shop charges $70 to flush it with very hot water.  I do not want to pay a lot of money if there is no real difference, but I do not want to clog up my carb with all sorts of junk from the tank.   Anyone have any experience with cleaning a tank (and sending unit)?

Also, what is the best way to protect a tank from rust?  I have good automotive primer and topcoat, but have heard that it might not stick to a tank.

Thanks for any advice.  

[VileZambonie]

If there is any rust inside the tank junk it. If it has mold and such inside it then use fantastik and hot water. After you dry it out let it stand with a dessicant bag. Of course the best method of making sure nothing gets into your carb is a good fuel filter.

[Blazin]

Castrol Super Clean works great too.

[Mr Diesel]

I have flushed mine with water. I have also used muratic acid too, but that probably isn't necessary. Leave it out in the sun for several days with the float removed to allow it to dry.

You should have no problem getting paint to stick, just scrub it real good and use a good cleaner/degreaser available at any automotive paint store.

$70 is a ripoff. This is a simple job.

- Mr Diesel
'76 C30 Crew 6.2

Edited by: Mr Diesel at: 9/4/06 9:36 am

[thirstycanadian]

Thanks for the input, but I have come into another problem. The inside of the tank is beautiful, but there is a small patch of rust inside the tube on the tank the filler neck attaches to.  If I sand off the rust, I cannot think of anything which will coat the metal and not be eaten off by the gas.  I would hate to throw away a tank which is otherwise perfect but a little rust is bad news and will only get worse over time.

Bad luck, I guess

[Blazin]

Coat it with POR 15 They also have a gas tank restoration kit that coats the whole inside of the tank.