The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Draining the gas tank..

Has anyone found a tool or method other than wrapping your lips around a hose to drain out the gas tank? The tank has approximatly 4 gallons in it but the line at the bottom is kinked up pretty bad and I need to replace it. I'd preferr to have most of the gas out of the tank before I attend to the issue underneath. This is on a '52 Chev 3/4. Thanks in advance.

Many moons ago I used one of those squeeze-bulb type pumps that they use to put fuel into Kerosene heaters. It has a hard tube on one end, a hose on the other, and in between is a squeeze bulb for suction. Once that siphon action starts , it pumps like mad.
Just a thought.
Jake

Here's a link. I'm not the best at describing things, I'm sure you've seen them a million times. kerosene pump. good for many small jobs.

It's way easier than that. The AD trucks with the in-cab gas tank have a petcock on the bottom of the tank. Just close the valve, take off the hose, put a jerry can under it, and open it up and it will drain right out. That's one of the only redeeming qualities of the AD's gas tank. Or, if you are just replacing the line, just shut it off and turn it back on when you are done, no need to drain the tank.

4 - Yup, those shut off valves are indeed handy. The problem is that the shut off valve is stuck open. I was hoping that would have been my easy fix.

Jake, that is just the item I was looking for. I'll stop at my local hardware/home store tonight. We had a dusting of snow last night so I want to get my work under the truck done as soon as possible.

Thanks again gents.

Another way to remove the gas is to put the hose in the tank and the use compressed air and a rag around the filler neck to start the flow.

In that case I would just cut the line and aim it into the jerry can, you won't spill a drop. Then replace the line and fix the petcock.

Hey guys lets call the tools by it's proper name.
The heater/kerosine pump is call a
MEXICAN CREDIT CARD.

Let us know how it turns out.

Here's the update...
Tried to siphon out the gas but it turned out there wasn't any to siphone. :rolleyes: When I had rolled this baby home last spring, I had poured in 5 gallons. It had run like a top the fall before so I didn't give it another thought. I sold the truck to a co-worker even before it was home but long story/short story is that I still have it and the $$$$ When I tried to get it started again a couple of weeks ago I detected gas leaking out of the fuel pump, not gushing, just leaking. I replaced the fuel pump and tried it again. Now I'm still thinking I have gas in the tank but I can’t get any to siphon out. I popped the sending unit out and all I see is the shiny bottom of the tank shining back. A quick peek around reassured me that there was no crud or scale though either. Back down underneath. I took off the rubber section from the petcock to the line. There was the other half of my problem. The line had a tight bend and over the years had cracked and all of that gas just seeped right on down and out. I even managed to coax the valve on the petcock to free up. A quick check of my leftover 50 parts and I found a length of new fuel line, a couple of clamps and a small length of tubing with the appropriate sized fitting on it. Everything went back together slick as snot. I didn’t have time to put some fresh gas in and try it but as soon as the neighbors wake up around here this morning I’m going to give it a whirl.

DEANER!?!? YOU SOLD YOUR TRUCK?!?!?

Ken...Well, yes and no. I still have my 50 3/4, that stays right where it is in the garage. The saga of the 52 started when I went to the Back to the 50's show in the Twin Cities last Spring. I know one of the tool vendors and had looked at his father's 52 some time back. He told me to make him an offer. On impulse I did and left owning the 52 3/4 ton. That was Saturday, the following Monday at work I was talking to a co-worker and showed him a picture. He was all over the truck. He called up his two sons to see if they were interested in helping and he told me he wanted that truck. I didn't even take possession of the truck until the following Friday. I took some goodies out from under the seat and sent them on their way to Rugo to help him complete his 53. The next Monday my co-worker and his boys came out to check the truck over. A handshake and a check and it was a done deal. They asked if they could leave the truck with me while they worked out transportation and storage details. Four months later, it's still sitting in my driveway and they don't have anyplace to keep it yet. My co-worker asks if it can stay where it is and if I find a buyer before they can find space to go ahead and sell it. I have the $$$ and the truck. I have yet to put the 4 Sale sign in the window. I may end up giving him back the money and just keep it. Now being the good person that I am, I had to make sure it ran properly, right? I put some fresh gas in the tank this morning and primed the carb just tish, purrs very nicely. Not sure just what I am going to do with it yet. Since it is going to have to sit out in the snow this winter I need to make sure the antifreeze is up to snuff and change the oil. I guess that my CI is up 6 for now.