Can anyone provide insight to fuel tank sealer products?

[Transplant Okie]

Apparently having my old tank "boiled" at the radiator shop didn't clean it well enough during the rustoration and now my fuel bowl is full of flakes of oxidized steel...
I just pulled the tank off of my cement mixer and got the pebbles out and am about to do an acid wash to clean it further. Has anyone had good luck with any liner product that will withstand the Ethanol laced fuel we have today? And if so, what quantity did you use?

 

[Skreddy]

I used Eastwood system in my 60 series tank this past spring. My filter looks much cleaner than it did. Some initial coating flakes but nothing since I changed the filter after a few months. No long term review but so far so good.

 

[Transplant Okie]

I used Eastwood system in my 60 series tank this past spring. My filter looks much cleaner than it did. Some initial coating flakes but nothing since I changed the filter after a few months. No long term review but so far so good

Any special tricks to getting adequate coverage around the baffles? or is it just a prayer that you rotated it enough to get everything covered?
Many, thanks, BTW. i appreciate the suggestion.

 

[Skreddy]

Rotate, rotate, rotate….. the whole process took me a couple days.

 

[Jack S]

I have used KBS systems a couple of times with good results. I usually order a larger kit than my tank so that I can make sure it covers all the surfaces / baffles better then you just drain the excess out. You want to try to get all the loose scale off before you do it if possible, put something in the tank and shake it around some, nuts maybe

 

[middlecalf]

Used POR-15 fuel tank repair kit on the original tank in my ‘63 FJ45 in 2018 (build linked below). No debris of any kind so far in the glass bowl filter. I exclusively use non-ethanol gas. Tank had water and internal rust but no holes when I picked it up out of Nevada. As said with other products, lots of rotating before draining each solution.

 

[brian]

Never have been a fan of messing with rusty gas tanks...at the end if the day you still have a rusty tank, that might not leak yet.

 

[ducktapeguy]

What brian said. If your tank is bad enough that it's flaking off, you've already lost material thickness on the tank, but you don't know how much.

I've used sealers before with some success, but mostly on a tank that's not already rusted out. Once it starts leaking the sealer is a temporary patch that will probably leak again. A new tank used to be pretty reasonable, if you add up the time and money you're gonna spend cleaning and sealing it starts to look like a pretty good deal.

 

[middlecalf]

Surface rust is one thing, rotted metal from rusting is another.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Back in the late 80's my front oem tank developed a weep in a seam. I used the alcohol proof 2 part gas tank sealer from JC Whitney. The tank looked brand new inside - (no rust). I don't remember what pre-treatment I did - but I know I followed the directions. Tank is still leak free.

Earlier this year my Datsun B210 aux tank was leaking. I pulled it off and its in sad shape. I looked at tank treatments. The web says to avoid "the red product" as it doesn't bond well no matter how good you prep and it end up clogging fuel filters and leaking. I considered the POR route. Then I thought 12.5 gallons isn't a lot of reserve. So two options build my own stainless tank or buy one. There is a local outfit that has a 22 gallon steel rear aux tank for $645 1972 – 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser – Auxiliary Tank – Aero Tanks Enterprises - https://aerotanks.com/product/1972-1980-toyota-land-cruiser-auxiliary-tank/

I think I'd rather build a stainless tank even though it will likely cost more. 2 POR kits for 6 gallon tanks each is like $150

These days I doubt I could drive far enough to run out the main tank.

 

[Transplant Okie]

Well, I'm not opposed to replacing the tank, but it's a '64. I'm not finding any new replacements unless I go with a fuel cell. Wrenching on old vehicles has been a long time hobby of mine, but that's for Detroit based models. I'm relatively new to the FJ40 world and am finding it difficult to procure these older parts in good shape. I am open to suggestions if any of you know where I can find a good one?

 

[bobm]

I wouldnt seal inside! gas today eats everything. If tank removal is easy, use Vise grip garage method and seal outside. If not easy to remove use a Gas and Water fuel seperator inline at fuel tank until all the s out of tank

 

[greenbeast]

Old timer in Vinita may be able to help do some repairs. PM and I’m happy to share his info.

 

[brian]

Well, I'm not opposed to replacing the tank, but it's a '64. I'm not finding any new replacements unless I go with a fuel cell. Wrenching on old vehicles has been a long time hobby of mine, but that's for Detroit based models. I'm relatively new to the FJ40 world and am finding it difficult to procure these older parts in good shape. I am open to suggestions if any of you know where I can find a good one?

Toyota parts dept.

 

[fjwagon]

I second the older timer idea, I was in Florida, took a tank down the street to a muffler shop and he said he could fix it. I thought everyone fixed them this way he made look simple. He Filled the the tank with water and kept the water running while he welded a piece old tin he had lying around and proceeded to weld it with his torch and some wire.

 

[B y r o n]

Back in 2014 I installed an in tank electronic fuel pump for my SBC EFI conversion. If you look at the photo in post 34 in this thread you will see the rust I was dealing with. My local shop wouldn't seal it feeling the factory inside coating would prevent their sealer from sticking. After flushing the tank with water I used Evapo Rust to desolve the rust. I felt it was better than using an acid product because it doesn't do anything to the original metal or coatings, only desolves the rust so doesn't thin the tank any further.

 

[rlong]

A lot of differing opinions. I have done one fj40 tank successfully. Like the original poster, I have the old style tank in my 1963 FJ45 that is rusty and would prefer to keep. I guess I’ll see if there are pinholes when I clean it. I’m gonna give this one a go with the Por or Eastwood kits; numerous people have done it successfully even with modern gas.