Yanked out the tank from 53 F100 today. Took a peek inside and saw 0.5 inches of rust and crud. take it to a shop and get it done up or buy a new one?

 

well if it was me i would just buy a new one because a new one for my truck is $200 and to take it to a shop and have it done cost $125. and you still have the same 50 year old gas tank. some one told me that if you put pea rock and palmolive sope with water in your tank and shake it up it will get it out. pearsonally i wouldnt want to use water or rocks so i might just take some copper bbs and some gas (leaving out the sope) and shake it up. and i no orileys has some coating thats for gas tanks that work pretty well.

 

This may sound odd but I would try to somehow get a light inside the tank and in your dark garage look on the outside of tank to see if there are any pinholes. this is done easier if tank is removed. After it`s determined there are or are not pinholes you will know which direction to go. Good luck.

Gary

 

My personal experience with cleaning old tanks is not good. I would even look at a poly / alum tank just for the fact your truck will not be driven everyday and sitting up at periods of time creates the situation for condensation to build in the tank and then rust and stuff. I have with through several electric fuel pumps / filters to learn this lesson.

 

the light bulb in the tank can be done fairly easily with an OLD porcilan light bulb socket and connected to an extension cord and with one of the new CFL light bulbs that would fit into the sending unit hole. then just plug up the hole with a rag

 

Home > BARGAIN ROOM > F100-G 1953-56 Ford Pickup truck

F100-G 1953-56 Ford Pickup truck From Tanks, Inc.

- Die-Stamped Reproduction - Alloy coated steel
- Has a small (half-dollar size) dent on the bottom towards the front, on the driveshaft-side of the tank. Does not affect fit or function.
- Accepts both stock and 5-hole aftermarket senders
- 3/8" OD pickup tube in stock location

#F100G-BR-D Save $75 $100 +shipping

F100-G 1953-56 Ford Pickup truck

 

I see that the Bargain Room tank is gone, did you buy it?

 

if you can just clean the inside out if the outside is rusty you can just strip it down and get from east wood what they call "Tank Tone" its a real zinc spray paint that puts a zinc coating back on the tank like it had when new. Only thing is I would recomend getting the diamond clear in semi gloss or gloss (its up to you but I would use semi gloss) and coat it. I have read reviews on it and the stuff scratches easily but with the diamond clear its like a clear coat it will protect it and keep it from scratching easily.

 

My 55's was very bad with crud. Took it to a local radiator shop that cleaned it with acid dip then coated it inside. Cost was about $75 as I remember. Tank has been in 5 years with no problems. Much cheaper than a new one.

 

fking1 itusually is, I was going to do the gas tank cleaner/sealer to clean my tanks out and put a coating on it to stop future rust problems but I have heard that coating stuff falls apart with the higher ethanol content of the fuel now.

Dunno how true that is but they want $300 for a fuel tank for mine, just like they want $100 for a wheel cylinder for mine where a rebuild kit is only $15 go figure.

 

I have a poly tank I took out of mine with sender and round fuel gauge. I relocated mine to under the bed, Don't know what shipping would be though.

 

To clean fuel tanks I have in the past poured some "Purple Stuff" (you can buy it a Auto Zone) into the tank and let it sit overnight, then drain what's left out of the tank into a container. I then take it down to the do it yourself car wash and with the high pressure wand stick it in the filler hole and blast it until comes clean, or at least the crud stops coming out. Be sure to remove the sending unit/pickup tube assembly out as well. This is certainly cheaper than a new tank that'll work especially since you're out of work and money is tight. Let me know if I can help you out since you live locally.

 

If you buy a new one and especially if you seal the old one, be CERTAIN to seal the inside of your tank to prevent more rust or scale build-up. Numerous kits and products are available!

 

I think that the scale/buildup is to heavy to attempt it myself. 100 buck to have a shop do it. New 185 to 250. Keg 30 bucks (w/ free labor of friend for spout) but it is not a rat rod so keg might look stupid. fuel cell on craigslist 50 bucks. I dunno. flathead my number is 338-5621. chad