1st job on the 69--Fuel tank, should I replace it?

[USAF65GMC]

Well I just got finished pulling the fuel tank. There was about 3 gallons of fuel in it plus a bunch of rusted metal flakes. My question to you guys, should I just buy a new fuel tank? The truck was sitting for 12 years. Here are some pics from the job

[lynchiii]

Wow....good thing you found that before trying to get it started. May be a good time to do a swap for a tank under the bed?

[cdowns]

depends alot on your plans for the future and budget on your truck

that aint that bad for a 40year old fuel tank/// to have a good servicable tank for many years as a driver i'd clean it and seal it with a product like the one POR makes and call it good to go

IMO no real advantage to doing the under bed tank other then spenin a bunch of money and takin a cheap weekend job and makin it a costly longterm one, som guys spend months doin it

[sjarrett71]

OReilly also sells a fuel tank coating. Red Coat or something like that.

[yuccales]

I think I'd clean that tank out, check for leaks, put in a new sender unit, and give it a go.

[PanelDeland]

I would put a rust remover and a length of chain in it.Then put the cap on and shake the crap outta it.Then flush clean with fresh water.Dry it good and seal it.Then put it on and use it.Check the rubber lines to the tank and replace since they are probably 40 years old.Add an inline filter just for prevention.I think you want it running/driving.If you want an underbed tank down the line,you can do it then.

[bobs409]

I would send that tank to the scrapper as fast as I could! (I can smell it from here too!)

Get a better one from a junkyard. Even if you were able to clean all the rust out, the metal will be thin and could produce a pin hole at anytime. Not something I would want to have happen with a gas tank.