The Stovebolt Forums Forums The Shop Area The Engine Shop Clean and use old gas tank and radiator or replace with new?

If new gas tanks are available that is the option to go with. I didn't have that option on my 38 so I had to go with cleaning and sealing mine. I cleaned the tank with muriatic acid then sealed with Redkote liner. It's been almost 20 years and so far so good.

One can also use aviation fuel, 100 low lead or lower grade will not have alky in it, find a small airport nearby.

Ed

I took my radiator and tank into a local shop. They are going to clean out the tank and test it out. The radiator will get a test as well. The inside of my gas tank really did not look too bad to me, just some thin black crust but no serious rust that I could see. Cleaning and testing was cheaper than buying a new tank, hopefully it works out. I have a feeling the radiator has more serious internal issues based on the rusty bits and sludge in the pipes to the engine. I will wait to see what their tests show and how much different options cost before deciding on what to do with the radiator.

I heard back from the radiator shop, they said my old one is no good (don't know all the details yet but I'll find out). What do I need to look for in a direct replacement? I'll have a look at ebay. I assume the shop will give me some options for a new one as well but I don't want to have to update other stuff as well to accommodate a new thicker radiator (like an electric fan because the new radiator would touch the old engine-mounted fan).

In August, I installed a brand new fuel tank from NPD in my 1950 3100.

Not only was it a perfect fit, it was better made than the original. It was made in Canada. The tie down straps and cradle were also of a better design and quality than the original. It all looks stock if that interests you.

NPD lists a 1960 in-cab tank for a $151.00. You can't beat that with a stick.

I just noticed in the catalog that 1960-1966 Chevy tanks are "imported" and not the Canadian made ones.

I wouldn't worry about that, though. I also replaced a fuel tank in a 1966 Mustang with one purchased from NPD. It was imported from Korea and is also a very high quality part. All bolt holes, etc lined up perfectly.

www.npdlink.com [npdlink.com]

I had my original tank cleaned out at the radiator shop. It was less than the price of a new one and I didn't think it was too bad inside (didn't look rusty just had a thin layer of some dried up black material). I had not heard of NPD before thanks for the suggestion. If this one has issues I will look into one of those.

The radiator shop can't re-core your old one?

they can recore but it costs $600. I guess I was hoping I could replace it for less. I bought a new radiator for my 2000 4Runner and it was under $200 direct from Toyota. I know it's apples to oranges but I definitely didn't expect $600.

You can buy direct fit aluminum radiators off of eBay for less than $250. Get some black radiator paint and paint the top and bottom tanks for a reasonable authentic look.

It's hard to justify spending $600 when you can get a new aluminum one for less than half that from Jeg's. Classic Industries also sells one that looks stock/brass if you have to have that OEM look.

Mike B