What is in my fuel tank?

[62 Dart Convertible]

I finally got around to dropping my fuel tank and could not believe what I found in it - loads of what looks like a plastic film - loosely floating about and lots still semi-attached to tank walls. I don't need tarot cards to see a new fuel tank in my immediate future!

What the hell is this stuff? I'm guessing PO poured some goop in the tank and swirled it around to cure a leak perhaps?! -

 

[Riverdawg]

Maybe it's just old dried up fuel. Is it coming from the sides too or just in the bottom?

 

[miller]

Or, someone's half-assed version of some kind of sealer.

 

[Don selleck]

its jimmy hoffa

 

[Kernel Sanders]

Bacon

 

[62 Dart Convertible]

Or, someone's half-assed version of some kind of sealer.

What it looks like to me. Anybody heard of a product out there like this? It is all over the inside - top, bottom and sides... there is a real thick chunk of it in a depression just above filler neck orifice and it looks/feels like urethane...

Edit - been googling -
Probably some snake oil such as - http://www.caswellplating.com/epoxy-gas-tank-sealer.html or - http://ftrs.com.au/redkote/about.php

In any case, I'm up for a new tank, and just getting it here to Oz costs more than the price of the tank..

 

[RT K_line]

X2 on dried up fuel. spray some oven cleaner in it. wait a few minutes for it to soften up then pressure wash it out. check for leaks.

 

[PRND21]

I looks like tank liner. Do you have gas/ethanol mix in Australia? Some of the liner put in years ago won't stand up to ethanol. If the tank is rusty, it's best just to replace it. I've bought a couple of tanks through Rock Auto, relatively inexpensive.

 

[62 Dart Convertible]

I looks like tank liner. Do you have gas/ethanol mix in Australia? Some of the liner put in years ago won't stand up to ethanol. If the tank is rusty, it's best just to replace it. I've bought a couple of tanks through Rock Auto, relatively inexpensive.

I have never put ethanol fuel in it, but who knows, PO may have. Looking at the crud/corrosion I found in the carbs a few years ago, anything is possible.
Price of tank is OK (about $200), it's the $300 shipping that hurts. oh and the US to $AU conversion too... ouch.

 

[PRND21]

$300 shipping!?! Yikes!

 

[PRND21]

What it looks like to me. Anybody heard of a product out there like this? It is all over the inside - top, bottom and sides... there is a real thick chunk of it in a depression just above filler neck orifice and it looks/feels like urethane...

Edit - been googling -
Probably some snake oil such as - http://www.caswellplating.com/epoxy-gas-tank-sealer.html or - http://ftrs.com.au/redkote/about.php

In any case, I'm up for a new tank, and just getting it here to Oz costs more than the price of the tank..

In

What it looks like to me. Anybody heard of a product out there like this? It is all over the inside - top, bottom and sides... there is a real thick chunk of it in a depression just above filler neck orifice and it looks/feels like urethane...

Edit - been googling -
Probably some snake oil such as - http://www.caswellplating.com/epoxy-gas-tank-sealer.html or - http://ftrs.com.au/redkote/about.php

In any case, I'm up for a new tank, and just getting it here to Oz costs more than the price of the tank..

In the past I've used a coating made by POR-15, it's held up for about 10 years now, with NO ethanol. Tanks were more expensive and harder to find 14-15 years ago. By the time you pay to have one boiled out and the price of the sealer it's half the price of a new tank, you're better off replacing the tank. With older cars, trucks, tractors there are no replacements.

 

[62 Dart Convertible]

I appreciate your insight..

I just re-checked Summit - Spectra Premium Tank + 3/8" sender = $308, + shipping $218 = $572 US = $745 AU (insert emoticon here of me shooting myself in the head...)

 

[PRND21]

What!?! No free shipping?? Is the shipping much the same whether it's Summit or Jegs or Rock Auto? Just curious. How do you receive packages, does it come by UPS or Fedex or by postal service?

 

[62 Dart Convertible]

Free international shipping?!?! I wish! Try freighting something from Australia to USA - the cost will shock you!

Summit has the cheaper shipping I've found compared to Jegs. Not usre about Rockauto - I'll check them later.. The Summit shipping quote of $218 was the cheapest option of "i-parcel". UPS saver was just over $500...

 

[Jcharger]

I'm with those who suggest it is from the gas drying up. It looks like what my dad would call varnish that would build up in and I would clean out of outboard motor carburetors as a kid.

 

[mccoymail]

for that price, have a shop fab up a custom aluminum (aluminium) tank

 

[Lionized]

I appreciate your insight..

I just re-checked Summit - Spectra Premium Tank + 3/8" sender = $308, + shipping $218 = $572 US = $745 AU (insert emoticon here of me shooting myself in the head...)

You might want to check into a shop in your area that could crack the tank open, steam clean it and re-seal it. Probably your cheaper option.
You could also try doing it yourself.

 

[Mike67]

Looks like varnish to me..
If you don't need an exact repop I would do what McCoy stated and if so Lionized's option would probably be the most cost effective.
Or look on eBay and find one made from chinesium and shipped from there as well...

 

[69a100]

You might want to check into a shop in your area that could crack the tank open, steam clean it and re-seal it. Probably your cheaper option.
You could also try doing it yourself.

I'd go this route, salvage what you can, if you can and if you need a new tank. Well, you know what needs to be done. Good Luck

 

[Chargerjase]

Try Jeff at 521 restorations. He freighted a tank for my Charger to New Zealand and it cost me $161. Still expensive, but it is a big item. Also, shop around. I have found USPS to be much cheaper than FEDEX for example.