Fuel tank restoration

[TuffMudder]

I'm going to do some work on my 55's fuel tank. I want to clean out the inside, but I'd prefer not to use muriatic acid. Does anyone have experience using vinegar to clean out a fuel tank? I'm wondering if it's as effective as the multistep regimens using various caustic agents.

Also wanted to hear peoples opinions on fuel tank coatings. Good idea or avoid? Right now, i'm leaning toward using one and leaning specifically towards por15's tank sealer.

 

[lc69hunter]

I just read in one of the other active threads here that someone used vinegar and baking soda.

 

[J Mack]

Some info here.

Parts O Pig - 1977/73 combo


And here,

Fuel Tank Flush In Vehicle

 

[wngrog]

Yeah. Use the vinegar only but the acid sounds easy. They dump that in my pool all the time.

As for my way it worked. Only thing I would change is axe the baking soda.

 

[TuffMudder]

FYI, the PO filled my pig tank with some sort of tank sealer to try to encapsulate the debris in the tank and it caused an intermittent gas starvation issue by partially plugging one of the lines with a flap of rubber tank sealer, ultimately the tank needed to be removed to have the metal lines cleaned and would have been faster to just do it right the first time.

YMMV.

Do you know what type of sealer was used. I'm planning on using Por15's sealer after cleaning, but this is a little concerning

Yeah. Use the vinegar only but the acid sounds easy. They dump that in my pool all the time.

As for my way it worked. Only thing I would change is axe the baking soda.

Thanks for the feedback wngrog. I have my tank off, so i will have it a lot easier. I'm also going to throw in some nuts and bolts as abrasives, and since i can spin and slosh the tank, I wont need the 24 gallons of vinegar that you used

 

[J Mack]

Do you know what type of sealer was used. I'm planning on using Por15's sealer after cleaning, but this is a little concerning

Sorry I don't know.

Factory tank doesn’t have a large enough suction line for your 4BT, limited capacity combined with the modifications needed to make this a usable tank might cost more time and money than just starting from scratch.

I have pictures in my build thread showing the tank I built and extra pickups, a few guys now that drive the 4BT’s off road are adding the extra pickups to prevent sucking air when driving up or down steep hills.

 

[TuffMudder]

Well damn, I found that out just in the nick of time. I guess i'll be putting off the fuel system until i can find someone who can make me a custom tank.