The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Gas tank cleanout

After cleaning out the scale from inside a long dormant original gas tank what would you recommend to neutralize any rust inside the tank? I’ve used Ospho before for treating rust on exterior applications and was hesitant to do so because of the scale that remains after the Ospho dries. Thanks in advance.

Bill Hirsch LINK sells what they're calling "Gas Tank Etch" which says it leaves a gray phosphate coating, so is probably just the same as Ospho. They also sell gas tank sealer. If it was me, I'd just replace the tank, unless it's not readily available.

A tank for a 55 1st series is readily available from many vendors. I bought a Spectra tank made in Canada for my ‘52 , and it fit perfectly. Prices have gone up considerably since I bought it two years ago. Currently many vendors have it for less than $300. You can find cheaper tanks, but there are horror story's about them not fitting correctly and having to relocate the fill neck.

My replacement gas tank came from Jim Carter, and fit perfectly. I think the 55.1 used a top outlet (different outlet/sending unit) instead of bottom outlet, but that would work with a plug. I investigated cleaning and sealing my tank as it was (I thought) mildly rusted inside. But I wasn't happy with the cost of the materials to clean and reseal it, and was leery of getting that right. It turned out the original tank had a significant rust hole in it as I was cleaning up unused parts.

I would try some citric acid mixed with water or vinegar to eat the remaining rust then flush out with hot water and see what it looks like and decide from there.

I had good luck using a dog collar link chain. Bust up the rust.

I've used the Eastwood sloshing compound on two occasions to seal up cleaned out gas tanks. It worked very well in both tanks. The coating started disintegrating after about 20-25 years and I replaced both tanks with new reproductions.

What kind of truck are you working on? The AD tanks available today are built in Canada and are very high quality and less expensive than paying to have the tank boiled out and sealed.

Lots of videos on YouTube showing different methods to clean out your old gas tank.

A couple packs of B.B.'s in the tank, with a bit of gas or something less volatile. Slosh around. 1/4" nuts or something a little smaller works well too. The sharp edges on the nuts knock loose crusty stuff. Use a magnet to make sure you pull all of them out. I've made a sling set up from ratchet straps to suspend the tank. Gives lots of mobility for rocking it around. It beats having to get helper to assist.

Jerry has talked about strapping the tank to a tractor wheel and driving around a while. But not everyone has a tractor.

A couple of shovels full of pea gravel and my tractor- - - - -bungee cord the tank to a rear wheel and bush hog the pasture!
LOL!
Jerry