VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Cleaning my gas tank.....Help

Hi... I pulled out my gas tank out of the '34 Town sedan... it had not had any gas in it since the 70's.... I took out the sending unit and with a flashlight looked in the filler hole and sender hole and saw no gas residue and no rust.... I blew through the little outlet hole and it was open (not plugged).... I shook the tank and pounded on the sides... because I heard a little rattling sound... turned it over and dumped out a little rust powder ( about 3 table spoons of rust powder) and a flip top from a beer or soda can... that was rattling around in there...
So, next I filled the tank with about 5 gallons of water and lifted the tank, and sloshed it around in all directions... and then turned it over and dumped it out both the inlet and the sender holes.... did this three times and the water was clear... not rusty.... so now it is upside down drying..... We live in the arid high desert... this car lived it's whole life in the high desert.... no rust around here...
So my question is... I want to make sure that the tank is as clean as I can get it here , (without taking it 120 miles to the nearest radiator shop to have them flush it out)...... I was thinking of buying two gallons of Acetone or Denatured Alcohol to slosh around in there, (like I did the water).... and then dump and let dry.... l need buy a new or rebuilt sending unit......Anyone have one to sell..??? Which Do you guys think would work best to remove the water or residue in the tank ( Acetone or the Alcohol )...??? or anything else...??? Thanks, Sunny

I would flush it out with a cooling system cleaner.

Your tank appears to be in very good condition. I do have to wonder if it is the original one based on your description of the condition.

I agree with Gene about using some type pf stronger cleaner and extensive water rinse. Obviously you want to get as much water as possible out after the rinse. Letting the tank sit out in the sun for a few days in New Mexico would really help. Take it inside at night to avoid any re-condensation.

Do a final rinse with about a gallon of the highest content ethanol gas you can get. Here in Iowa we can get E85. I expect that the highest you can get is E15. The ethanol will absorb any of the remaining moisture.

Try to find a NOS or used/rebuilt sending unit. The replacement aftermarket units don't work very well.

After I removed all the gunk and old gas from my tank I used rust remover, rinsed it well with denatured alcohol and then sealed the tank. Check out the products from Eastwood.

Great advice... thank you one and all for telling me what you have done or would do..... I will proceed from here..... using a cooling system cleaner... then flush with lots of water... then denatured alcohol (to absorb water) then air dry..... I do not see the need to seal it... if it does not leak and is not heavily rusted..... Our nearest small town only has 5 gas stations.... all have 10% ethanol... there are no other choices within 100+ miles.... I think the alcohol will do the same as ethanol..... Thanks again, Sunny

I would also add an inline fuel filter. Might be overkill, but it might help prevent antics from Mr. Murphy.

thanks for all the good advice... I'm having the carb rebuilt right now...