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Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> 65-70 Full Size Body Tech Forum -> Is it possible to clean a gas tank out...yourself?
Post Info TOPIC: Is it possible to clean a gas tank out...yourself?
cdnpont


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Is it possible to clean a gas tank out...yourself?
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My fuel tank on my 65 looks to be in good condition...on the outside, but I know it'll probably be filled with 55 years of who knows what. Is it possible to drain it out and flush it with some product to at least make it decently clean?

One thing that might be of benefit, the sender on the 65/66 sits directly on the back wall of the tank, and might just afford a better view and angle in of what might be lurking. The sender on the 67 and later is directly on top, and you see just what is directly below that opening, which is nothing really.

 

I once took a tank in to be "cleaned", it turned out that it was cheaper to just buy a new one, so I did. So taking it in somewhere likely isn't an option.

Cheers.



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 
long stroke


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Mark, get on EASTWOOD automotive restoration tools in the U.S. . They have the kit that will set you up in a big way. Check them out. Cheers. 



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1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
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4SPEED427


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Mark, I know you don't want to hear it but cut that one open to use as a drain pan in your garage in the future and buy one of these.

ecat.spectrapremium.com/products/gm37k

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
4SPEED427


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https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/spectra+premium/cooling+depot,GM37K,fuel+tank,6268

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sgt-gm37k



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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
hawkeye5766


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If you can't source a tank......Take out the sending unit,plug the hole, throw in some 1/2 nuts and a gal of diesel and strap to a cement mixer.

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timbuk


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although i agree with carl,you can clean with viniger and water solution does a great job

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HK1837


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These work a treat. YouTube videos of it being done. Come up mint.

www.kbs-coatings.com.au/product/auto-fuel-tank-sealer-kit/

www.por15.com/POR-15-Fuel-Tank-Repair-Kit

I did the tank on my 1968 GTS recently. Looked really clean, looked good to use, until the cleaning steps. The crud that came out was mind blowing.

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Prefectca


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My brother had a 1953 Chevy and cleaned the tank with muriatic acid. It worked well but its corrosive, dont get any on you. He made a little plate to plug the sending unit hole and swished the acid around in the tank for about 15 minutes. The tank looked like new inside.


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cdnpont


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Thanks guys. Good ideas on cleaning it out. I have a cement mixer handy, so I'll try that method!

I've looked at the rock auto tanks, there are 4 options for a 65 Impala. 150 to 450 CDN. But shipping and taxes is 150 bucks. Hmmm. I'll ask my parts counter guy today about the spectra.

Truth be told, it probably would even be a pain to even get rid of all the fuel in it as it sits. It's probably 1/2 full. How do you even dispose of 10 gallons of stale fuel? And I don't live on a ranch in rural northern Alberta if you know what I mean! Is there any way to strain it, treat it and use it in a small engine? no

 

You'd think it, but this is no small job either way.



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 
oshawacliff


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Take the tank off with the gas in it and take it to your local recycle centre where they dispose of engine oil.  They probably have a tank for fuel.

If you plan on opening the tank run an exhaust pipe for an hour into the tank with another car running to reduce any volatility.  You dont want any sparks!

 



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Cliff

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Like the larger type for my eyes. 

 

 
66 Grande guy


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I tried using a used but clean looking tank in my 66 and had nothing but fuel troubles.  Had to change fuel filters constantly.

Finally bought a new spectra and no more trouble since then. Its worth it unless you have no options.



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ken from northern Alberta

38 Willys pickup electric

39 Buick (327 with 700 r4)

66 Beaumont 4 door hardtop

69 Chevy CST pickup

1976 GMC 23'  motorhome

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1968 Citroen Fourgonnette (Yeah Carl!)
cdnpont


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I know. I bought a new spectra for my 67 and no issues.



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 
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4SPEED427


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cdnpont wrote:

Thanks guys. Good ideas on cleaning it out. I have a cement mixer handy, so I'll try that method!

I've looked at the rock auto tanks, there are 4 options for a 65 Impala. 150 to 450 CDN. But shipping and taxes is 150 bucks. Hmmm. I'll ask my parts counter guy today about the spectra.

Truth be told, it probably would even be a pain to even get rid of all the fuel in it as it sits. It's probably 1/2 full. How do you even dispose of 10 gallons of stale fuel? And I don't live on a ranch in rural northern Alberta if you know what I mean! Is there any way to strain it, treat it and use it in a small engine? no

 

You'd think it, but this is no small job either way.

 You must be able to find a GM37K in Canada hopefully and Spectra lists that as being the correct one for 1965 Parisienne specifically. I know at some point somewhere I read that the Impala tank neck was not identical to the Pontiac neck.



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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
oshawacliff


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call your local CTC and see if they will accept gas from an old tank.  They may be closer than your recycle station.  I am pretty sure they will recycle your old oil.

How many 5 gallon jugs do you have?  Neighbours with empty jugs?

Check your local jobbers for the Spectra tanks...... no shipping charges, just walk in and order even if you have to wait a day.



-- Edited by oshawacliff on Tuesday 4th of August 2020 03:32:54 PM

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Cliff

Done Hurryin

Like the larger type for my eyes. 

 

 
HK1837


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The good thing about using the POR15 or KBS epoxy inside the tank once it is cleaned is it means the fuel and/or Ethanol and/or water never touches the steel tank again. I'd seriously recommend using it.

This is a 1968 GMH fuel tank out of a Holden HK GTS. You get some running of the epoxy as it sets, as you cannot get every remaining bit of it out you turn the tank over as it sets hence the running. Sets like concrete.

This tank was modified on the top to put a large mount for an EFI MRA (same as you'd find in one of those 2006 GTO's), hence how I got the photo looking up at the original sender unit hole where my finger is.

The outside zinc-look finish was a bit cruddy too so I just painted it with a Toyota silver metallic with no clear to tidy it up a bit. You can see the MRA unit dummied up behind the original sender hole.

 

tank1.JPG

tank2.JPG

tank3.JPG

tank4.JPG



-- Edited by HK1837 on Tuesday 4th of August 2020 07:33:06 PM

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cdnpont


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Thanks for all the replies and tips guys.

I just went and bit the bullet and bought a new tank from Rock auto. Yes, it the cheapest one...$150 Canadian! Says Galvanized. Too good to be true? Hope I don't regret it, but even if it's crap It's not enough to loose sleep over it. Figured it would be at least worth a try.

The Spectra is $450 as a comparison.

Will report the findings when it shows up...wish me luck lol!

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=9108380&cc=1323054&jsn=548



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 
Prefectca


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Dont be surprised if its a Spectra Premium tank. My brother picked up a tank for my Chevelle in California when he brought back a truck to sell a few years ago and it was a made in Canada Spectra tank.

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cdnpont


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It's a liland global. it's probably China or India owing to the price,

http://lilandglobal.com/



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 
4SPEED427


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My one concern is that it's the Chevy tank, not made for the Canadian Pontiac. I am thinking the filler neck angle my need an engineer to "tweak" it a bit!

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
cdnpont


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Been there, My 67 required the tweak



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 
HK1837


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You guys are lucky you can buy new fuel tanks. A second hand HK Holden fuel tank (the common one) will cost you over $500. A 26 gallon tank out of the factory race cars over $2500.

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cdnpont


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Got the "cheap" $150 tank from Rock auto. Arrived intact. It isn't galvanized as advertised which is disappointing (but not surprising), but the finish looks good (powder coated?) and it looks to be a good Taiwan reproduction of the original. Not sure, but the inside looks coated in some way as well.

For the price (plus shipping), I'll go with it. The neck length and angle on the new tank appears to be the same as the original.

On a side note related to the original thread question, turns out, the original tank is in very good shape inside, with some minor corrosion visible. The 10 gallons of fuel I pulled out of it with my Mitivac pump looked and smelled good. It was probably a couple of years old, but it was shell nitro, and had stabilizer added. It went into my father in laws Malibu lol! Looking into the tank I'm really super surprised. I expected really bad things. The two tank strap bolts came undone with zero issue as well, and the entire tank was covered in some kind of ancient wax-oil which has preserved it (as well as the frame and pans) very well. The top of the tank had some mud wasp nests, showing that the car had sat for some time. 

What I believe to be an original AC sender came out no issue, and the sock appears to be 100% intact with no breakdown at all. The sender tests to 98 ohms full which is a higher than the rated 90, but should be fine... I hope. I've always heard you should try at all costs to keep your old sender, as the new reproductions are said to not compare. I cleaned it all up and soldered on a new ground wire to the welded on lug, and gave the face a shot of paint. Fitted the sender with a new seal and ring.

Question: Why did they move the sender opening to the top of the tank in 67?

tanks.jpgsendera.jpg

out.jpginsd.jpg

Scratches in the tanks are from the metal line sliding around to fetch the fuel. I was able to get all of it out, and it's dry now. I think after a cleaning, the tank could be easily re-used after a inside coating.

Anyone interested in a decent tank?



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