Cleaning Gas Tank

[rcbildr]

I'm getting ready to fire up my girlfriend's 54 chevy truck. I'm in the process of rebuilding the carb and one of the things on the to-do list is clean the gas tank out...or at least have a look-see. The truck has sat for quite a few years, so I'm going to assume the worst. What would y'all recommend on how to go about cleaning up the tank...cheapest and easiest

[solidaxel]

I have a gallon of acetone for some good results

[mr48chev]

I've had the boiled out at the radiator shop before but some radiator shops don't want to deal with gas tanks even to clean them.

It also depends on what is in the tank. If it's just dirt you can probably pressure wash the inside of it and flush it out. If it is varnished up inside the acetone like solidaxle suggested should help with that.

I'd get it out and pull the gauge out and take a look inside and see what I'm up against first and go from there.

That's a good time to hook an ohm meter to the sender and make sure it works ok by running the float through it's swing and watching the meter too.

[pvienneau]

I would buy a new one, which I did because the sludge was discusting and the tank had 2 rot holes. I found it for 175.00 and free shipping on line. I've seen them for 150.00 since paying the 175.00. I primed it and going to paint it with Eastmans metal paint.

[rcbildr]

Awesome, thanks! I've heard gasoline works too, but I was wondering what else works. If the tank is anything like the carb I pulled apart, it's gonna be interesting. I'm not too sure about buying a new one yet. Right now I just want to see if I can get it running and then go from there. This is my girlfriend's project and IIRC she's wanting to get the tank out of the cab. But for now we just need to be able to move it and I told her I would help with that. Thanks again!!!

[oldcouple]

http://www.caswellplating.com/restor...nk-sealer.html

http://reviews.ebay.com/How-to-use-t...00000001059206

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by rcbildr

Awesome, thanks! I've heard gasoline works too, but I was wondering what else works. If the tank is anything like the carb I pulled apart, it's gonna be interesting. I'm not too sure about buying a new one yet. Right now I just want to see if I can get it running and then go from there. This is my girlfriend's project and IIRC she's wanting to get the tank out of the cab. But for now we just need to be able to move it and I told her I would help with that. Thanks again!!!

If all you are trying to do is move the truck, just get a one gallon gas can and some rubber gas line to the IN side of the fuel pump.
Work on the brakes first!!!!

[rcbildr]

It may come down to that for now, but I'm hoping to actually drive it around. There is a car show at the end of the year my family and I like to go to called the Beater Brunch. IIRC it's the last one of the season around here and it's a car show for project vehicles my girlfriend has been talking about trying to drive the 54 there this year.