The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk stone-and-shake gas tank de-rusting

Seems to be pretty well established method. Interested to hear some insight from those who've done it. My tank is full of rusty crud. Will follow the shaking with Por 15 clean, prep, and seal unless there's some better ideas out there.

If it is full of rusty crud you may want to consider replacing the tank.

rockauto.com sells a replacement tank for your truck for 167.00. Made by spectra. a Canadian company. Part number GM55A

Good Luck

I've heard of using a length of chain too. If you use this process make sure you examine the tank for pin holes by dropping a small light into the tank and examining the tank in a darkened area. It may be that buying a replacement tank as suggested will be a better idea.

The problem is getting whatever is put in there back out. If there's a big access hole somewhere like the one for the sending unit, no problem. How about what gets trapped behind baffles where there's no easy access? I like to use small things like BB's, or 1/4" nuts, etc. that can be retrieved with a magnet. Mix up a strong solution of water-soluble parts cleaner soap. Fill the tank halfway with water, and strap it down in the bed of a pickup. Drive around for about a week. The sloshing action of the half-full tank and the normal agitation of bumps and corners will do the agitation for you.
Jerry

everytime i took the 6100 out for a ride, i had to pull it home with my pickup and a farmer brought me home once with his tractor. realizing that it was dirt in the tank that was causing me the issues and not in a position at the time to buy a new tank i got this idea of taking a bunch of cleaned #2 stone and putting it in the tank with some heavy duty cleaner degreaser. i danced with the tank for an afternoon until i couldnt dance any longer. after i got all the stone out i flushed the tank numerous time with the hottest water i could find. after letting it dry with the hot sun beating on it i reinstalled it. i added a see thru filter between the tank and the fuel pump. i have'nt had to get a ride home since. as time goes on i have to change the filter out less and less. the hose i used is still full of varnish and on hot summer days i get all sticky from using it and it reminds me everytime how it got that way.

Buy a new Spectra Premium tank for it and be done with it.

$167 is pretty good, was figuring about 50 more than that. If not for the cost of a new sender, strap pads, fuel line and other assorted junk I'd probably go that route.

Seems to be a good salvagable tank. Don't think there's any baffles. tank

Hauling around in the back of the truck is a darned good idea, will take awhile for the Por to arrive anyway. Got some gravel in there right now and the manual shaking is wearing my butt out!

Block up one wheel of your tractor or other appropriate vehicle. Strap tank securly to wheel and add whatever (gravel, old rusty nuts, bolts, etc.). Start and let tractor idle in first gear for the afternoon. Results, clean tank and nuts and bolts look pretty good too. Just remember, if tractor falls off block, there is no stopping it.

That's a fricking hysterical mental picture.... bet it works...LOL

Except for the inside of the baffled area like Jerry pointed out. If a new tank is available that is probably the way to go. In my case that wasn't an option so I acid cleaned then lined the tank on my '38.

That seems like a really good price when you consider a POR-15 tank sealing kit here is £60(roughly $90) and the Spectra tank works out at £102.
The £40 difference is worth the peace of mind knowing it's brand new.
My own tank sounds in a similar condition to to Scotts
As usual the killer for me would be shipping and import taxes.
Sometimes it sucks being on the wrong side of the 'pond!

Check out my photo bucket pics under tank cleaning 1- pc. of thin wall conduit bent to match the tank and a BIG Son to turn and you're set.


Pete

PS I do think in the end you're better off getting a new tank by the time you buy everything to fix the old one and all the work .

Jock, that's a good reason to come over for a visit and take an extra piece of "carry on" luggage back with you.

The last old tank I descaled. I fixed it on the end of my cement mixer and put a hand full of nuts in it and turned the mixer on. It roll it like an old rock polisher. Just an idea. lug

I'd go ahead and block up both wheels if I were you. LOL!

I used 1/4 in nuts and strapped it to a cement mixer. Then I replaced it because it had too many pin holes to count....never regretted the new tank.

That is a similar technique most companies use to clean chemical tanks. It works like a rock polisher. Fill it with a quarter tank of pea gravel and get it to spin some way (the tractor will work) and if you leave it spinning long enough it should clean around baffles as well.

I wonder if could disguise it as a suitcase!

That is a good idea.. I have a 3 point mixer I could use if I ever want to give it a try.

I just ordered this tank from rockauto.com last week. I've heard very good things about the Spectra tanks here and elsewhere. The price was cheaper than anywhere else as well. It said they had 3 left before I ordered mine. I'm looking forward to receiving it.

Jock.

Just don't try to carry it back full - because gas is cheaper in the US. LOL

I hope they told you the shipping charge....I paid $325 for a tank from Carter (which I still think was outrageous) but to add insult to injury, they charged $95 to ship it to me!!!!!!OUCH!!!!

The shipping charges for rockauto.com is very reasonable. For my area is $26.00 for ups ground.

I found out about Spectra tanks by reading several post on this forum a while back.
The vendors sell overseas made tanks for the AD trucks.

From what I’ve read the filler necks don’t line up, and the thread on the bottom of the tank are metric and not pipe thread as original.

The Spectra tanks are exactly as original.
This info is for the AD behind seat tanks.

I was going to clean and seal my old tank, but decided to buy new.
...pic...
...pic...

I'll give a "thumbs-up" for Rockauto.com. The prices are good, the service is equal to the best and the shipping is reasonable. They carry parts for every car that ever was. They carry quite a lot of stuff for our trucks. Check them out.

Went ahead and coughed it up for a Spectra from rockauto. It's probably the best option although I'll keep the old tank, mainly because I hate turning loose of the old original parts for a variety of reasons. Next decision...to paint or not to paint?

I received my Spectra tank today. It looks pretty good.
Photos here