I recently pulled out my gas tank to replace the fuel sender unit because it was not working. When I finally got it out, I figured out why it was not working. 17 years of old gas had gunked it up and dissolved just about all of the plastic float. Most of the tank is coated in sludge, or even crusted over in some spots. The tank itself is still in good condition, no rust. Is there an easy way to clean out the inside of the tank?

Thanks

 

Doesn't POR-15 make a gas tank cleaner? I had an old Kawasaki that had a sludgy tank. I can't remember the stuff that I bought to clean it, but it was a pain. Had to add a handful of bolts to help break things loose and shake until my eyeballs rattled.

What I'd advise is look at the price of a cleaning solution, factor in your time and effort and compare that to the price of a new tank. Tanks aren't too expensive, and, as an added bonus, since you have to get a new sender, now would be the time to get a 22 gallon tank from the early 70's--71? 72?--and a sender to match and you have a higher capacity tank. I'm almost sure that they are drop ins with no problems as long as your sender matches your tank.

Wish I'd done that. 16 gallons in the GT just ain't enough sometimes. . . .

 

A good ol match would do the trick quick and simple, lol. I imagin there are so gas tank cleaner's out there.

 

POR-15 does make a kit for it. I know someone that has done it and it took them about a week to do the whole deal

 

I think the $100 for a new tank is worth it vs the time and effort it will take to clean out that old one.

 

I second jpony645's opinion, if you have nothing but free time on your hands, try and clean it out. I would drop the $100 buck and move on to the next thing on your list.

There is some interesting reading here about old gas tanks here,

http://www.karmustang.com/fueltankfire.html

 

One thing, too, is if you clean the tank, you may develop pin hole leaks as the gunk and such is removed.

--P

 

I don’t have a lot of time because I am in school all week. However, I am not in that big of a rush because it is still winter. http://www.por15.com/product.asp?productid=156 I think that I will try this first, I still am on a budget. I still need an exhaust system, and a radiator, which should get me running again. Also if that does not work how is this tank from mustangs unlimited? http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/itemdy01....CatKey=EMUSTANG is the quality good?

One more thing, where can I find a set of headers around $200? I can find them in that price range up to the 351. But once they get to the big block the price jumps to like $500. I can’t see that great of a gain for that much money. As the manifolds are the only reusable part of my system.


Thanks

 

I don't think using JUST the Marine Clean is going to get you the results you want. Call up a radiator shop and see how much they charge to boil it out (if they'll do a gas tank).

Looks just like the one I got from Matt at Ponderosa Mustang and he's a heck of lot nicer to deal with.



Hooker Super Comps
They're $359 but that is about as cheap as you will find them new for that FE.

 

Pulled my tank and took to car wash, washed out thouroughly, let sit and dry and can even take air hose to it if you like. I just let dry cause I knew it would be sometime before mine sees gas anyway. (Made a world of difference)