Truck bought used, they had it running in 2018 when it got a brand new steel aux tank which is what they used to run the truck on. Forward to now I got the truck running with fresh fuel then the truck ran like *** and died. I pumped the tank empty and the fuel coming out was hazy and had sediment in it. SO I dropped the tank. Inside of tank is rusty and fuel inside is hazy and nasty. I am sure this is the problem. I need to replace the Main tank as well since its original and all kinds of rusty.

So, is there any reason to clean the one tank or just replace it and move on with life with all new hangers/rubber/hoses/etc? These tanks seem cheap enough. They are each less than 200 bucks so it seems like an awful lot of *** pain to clean rust out of a tank when you can get a new one that is clean. LOL.

Thoughts? Replace everything and move on? The aux tank that was in there was a bitch to get out since the crimp welds hang up on the driveshaft carrier bearing. I ended up just laying on my back and violently kicking the tank until it fell out. LOL.

Also found the sending unit was rusted completely out, the sock on the end is gone and the float is gone, both of which I presume are in the tank, but it explains why the fuel gauge doesn't work.

1977 351, NO evap stuff on tanks.

 

I would replace the tanks. Once rust starts in them you cannot ever get them clean enough.

 

They are steel. So, I guess my next question is, how do you ever really keep them from rusting? You can't truly keep them 100% full which means there is going to be condensation in part of the tank, which of course will rust.

 

To keep from rusting swap them to a poly tank. https://www.justgastanks.com/truck-s...-ford-pickups/

https://www.justgastanks.com/mts-197...xoCOeMQAvD_BwE

https://raybuck.com/product/1973-197...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Anyone ever used those plastic tanks? All cars use them now, I can't see why NOT to use them. Teh aftermarket steel tanks have wide crimps on them and you have to bend those to make the tanks fit around carrier bearings and exhaust. The plastic don't have anything like that and should fit right in.