VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 41 Chevy Special Deluxe

My 41 SD had sat for a few years when I got it and the fuel in the tank lacquered up to the point when In tried to drain the fuel it looked like thick brown goop barely dripping from the drain plug. The fuel was almost brown. The tank looks fairly new and I hate to buy a new one if there is a preferred method to clean it.

What would be the best method to get the tank clean and in the alternative where would be the best place to get a replacement?

I have the carb off to rebuild and I may replace the fuel pump and clean the fuel lines while I'm at it. Any other suggestions or insights would be appreciated.

Gary, replacement tanks are not available for sedan delivery or business coupes. A raidator shop should be able to boil your out. Your on the right track.
Jay

I had the same problem with mine and ended up doing an acid clean & then lined it with RedKote.

I had the same problem...little rust but lotsa brown...and not much in the way of radiator shops around ( enviro laws ) I bought a gallon of acetone and using a quart at a time ( with the sending unit out ) rolled the tank around a couple of minutes per rinse...dumping each rinse into a large can and repeat...I was surprised how well it worked . I got some Redkote off Ebay , It's against the law to purchase in California , but decided not to use it because it would be to much trouble to keep the pick-up tube as clean and clear as I'd like...As far as rust goes I add a little 2-stroke oil + Stabl to my fuel...like chipper does...I think... Good Luck , Kevin
P.S Run with the lawn mower tank 'till you git er fixed ! lol

I would suggest an EXTRA fuel filter other than the one in the fuel pump, at least until you're sure about everything being clean.

Chevy's of the 40's and the Filling Station appear to sell replacement tanks for a 41 Chevy. Am I wrong? Are there other replacement tanks available?

Found a radiator shop that said they could clean the tank in sodium hydroxide but they would drill a hole in the tank to help it drain and said they would repair it. Why the need for a hole?

allows all the air in the tank to escape so the entire interior is bathed in the cleaning solution.

...I wouldn't send a tank out with the sending unit in it anyway , so drilling a hole...? Well , that's just a thought...

Makes sense, I guess. I just don't like the idea of drilling a hole in a good tank. The tank looks almost new, it may be 6-8 years old at most. I guess I will take the tank and fuel line to the radiator shop tomorrow. Might as well order a new fuel pump and carb kit while I'm at it.

Kevin47, good catch. The sending unit will come out and the hole may not be needed,

Gary, my mistake your first post you said 41 SD. I assumed you
you had a sedan delivery. I went back to the picture posted 10/31 and see a Special Deluxe coupe. Replacement tanks are available as you said. I have one and they are exactly the same as the orignal except a vent tube is added near the fill tube that you have to plug and there is no drain plug. Good quality repro made by Tanks Inc www.tanksinc.com/
Sorry for the misunderstanding. Beautiful car my favorite color.
Jay

No problem, I appreciate the help. I pulled the tank and carb today, it was easy. The carb is a Rochester and I think the part number is 70045220. The numbers are hard to read but I think that is the number. Need a rebuild kit and a fuel pump while I'm at it. Any suggestions?

Gary,
Cleaning the tank may work just fine. Depends on how long the tank had been sitting almost empty and allowing rust to set in. I hope it works out for you.

Nonetheless, after cleaning there may be thin spots here and there, especially at the inside top. For peace of mind then, you may want to reconsider and spring for new tank.
Charlie

From a safety and headache point of view you need to walk away from the old tank. New ones run around $235.00 from Chevs of the 40's and for all the work taking the tank off and replacing the straps and sending unit this is not a job you want to do over. There are a lot of what ifs to think about? What if you got rearended? Would you want the best likelihood of not having a ruptured leaking gas tank? What if sediment comes loose and it fouls your fuel system somewhere? Now how many times would you be pulling off the fuel pump, or carburetor, or gas lines looking for the fault. For any piece of mind I go with replacement over recondition. A 70 year old gas tank is not reliable! Good luck, Mike

P.S. I just checked ebay and they have several tanks listed for under $200, and also a sending unit and tank straps which should be re-placed.

I agree, the tank however is only six years old. The car was restored six years ago and stored in a garage the entire time. The tank looks almost new on the outside and the inside from what I can see looking into the sending unit hole with a bright light. The gas lacquered up when it sit for six years with a full tank. I think the PO also put some kind of additive in it like diesel, kerosene or some other dark fluid. I'm going to have the tank cleaned tomorrow and replace the sending unit. Might as well replace the fuel pump, clean the lines and rebuild the carb then I know everything will be good. Thanks for the suggestions

It sounds to me like that tank should be fine after it is cleaned, If it is bad, pin holes will show up. But only 6 years old, it should be OK.