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Good used gas tanks [message #318986] Wed, 14 June 2017 11:18 Go to next message
Tilerpep is currently offline  Tilerpep   United States
Messages: 404
Registered: June 2013
Location: Raleigh, NC
Karma: 7
Senior Member
Anyone with some good used/inexpensive gas tanks within a reasonable drive from central North Carolina?

The ones out of the 78 Royale seem fine as far as integrity, but have a very dense layer of crud. I have tried some soaking and sloshing with water and TSP, one attempt at a gallon of acetone. The area in the middle where I can physically get to it are cleaning up fine, but two baffles prevent direct access to outer third on each side. Local radiator shop guy said he would do them, when I got there he said the smell was so strong he wouldn't mess with them. One guy in another town said he would do them, still several hundred dollars each, and you never know how good they do them.

I'm thinking of building a big rotisserie type thing and putting in some nuts, bolts and chain. If I could turn the whole thing at different angles I think I would be fine...

ideas or ready to go tanks are welcome!


1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath Raleigh, NC
Re: [GMCnet] Good used gas tanks [message #318988 is a reply to message #318986] Wed, 14 June 2017 11:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
Senior Member
Hmm. Spend hours of your life to save pennies. I have done a bunch of that
in my life, but, the older I get, the less I feel like it makes sense.
Small amounts of solvents are ineffective at dealing with tank varnish.
Your shaker concept will work, properly applied. Strangely enough, so will
alcohol blended gasoline. That sludge, when loosened up, will plug up a
WHOLE BUNCH of downstream filters, so be prepared with lots of spares.
Varnish is easier to prevent than it is to deal with after it forms. Guess
it comes down to, what your time is worth vs someone else's who is skilled
at varnish removal.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

On Jun 14, 2017 9:19 AM, "Tyler" wrote:

> Anyone with some good used/inexpensive gas tanks within a reasonable drive
> from central North Carolina?
>
> The ones out of the 78 Royale seem fine as far as integrity, but have a
> very dense layer of crud. I have tried some soaking and sloshing with water
> and TSP, one attempt at a gallon of acetone. The area in the middle where
> I can physically get to it are cleaning up fine, but two baffles prevent
> direct access to outer third on each side. Local radiator shop guy said he
> would do them, when I got there he said the smell was so strong he wouldn't
> mess with them. One guy in another town said he would do them, still
> several hundred dollars each, and you never know how good they do them.
>
> I'm thinking of building a big rotisserie type thing and putting in some
> nuts, bolts and chain. If I could turn the whole thing at different angles I
> think I would be fine...
>
> ideas or ready to go tanks are welcome!
> --
> 1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath
> Raleigh, NC
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Re: Good used gas tanks [message #318995 is a reply to message #318986] Wed, 14 June 2017 12:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lqqkatjon is currently offline  lqqkatjon   United States
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
Senior Member
finding good used tanks are a matter of luck... finding used tanks is one thing, finding clean one's is another. But they are out there, and sometimes can come with a whole parts coach attached.

The DIY method would be vinegar in my opinion. just have to either coat the tanks afterwards, do not clean the rust out and let the tanks sit open for any time, they will re-rust worse then when you started.

there is no cheap and easy way. I have seen plenty of methods, and stories of success and failure. Radiator shops seem to be a good answer, and there are other places that deal just in gas tanks. Depends where you live and what is around you. Some places will cut open, clean and re-weld the tops of the tanks as well.

worst case is your other answer:

http://www.golbymotorcorp.com/gmc-parts/176/53/drivetrain/fuel/fuel-system/tank-fuel-main-or-auxilary-detail.html







Jon Roche 75 palm beach EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now. St. Cloud, MN http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
Re: Good used gas tanks [message #319002 is a reply to message #318986] Wed, 14 June 2017 13:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
midlf is currently offline  midlf   United States
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
Senior Member
I took mine to an automotive rust stripper. The kind that does fenders, body panels etc. Charged me about a $100ea. Did a great job. I also removed the straps so the tank would get cleaned everywhere. I have a spare I'm still trying to get all the hardware out of it. Didn't clean up very well either.

Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
Re: [GMCnet] Good used gas tanks [message #319028 is a reply to message #318986] Wed, 14 June 2017 18:44 Go to previous message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Tyler,

I have a pair in Houston, please advise:

1) How much you want to pay for the tanks

2) How much you want to spend to ship them?

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Tyler
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2017 2:19 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Good used gas tanks

Anyone with some good used/inexpensive gas tanks within a reasonable drive
from central North Carolina?

The ones out of the 78 Royale seem fine as far as integrity, but have a very
dense layer of crud. I have tried some soaking and sloshing with water
and TSP, one attempt at a gallon of acetone. The area in the middle where I
can physically get to it are cleaning up fine, but two baffles prevent
direct access to outer third on each side. Local radiator shop guy said he
would do them, when I got there he said the smell was so strong he wouldn't
mess with them. One guy in another town said he would do them, still several
hundred dollars each, and you never know how good they do them.

I'm thinking of building a big rotisserie type thing and putting in some
nuts, bolts and chain. If I could turn the whole thing at different angles I
think I would be fine...

ideas or ready to go tanks are welcome!
--
1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath
Raleigh, NC

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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