I see why I wasn't getting fuel to the engine today. All the paint and whatever was plugging up the system. Any recommendations on best way to clean the tank will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

I have used pure white vinegar - fill it up and let it sit for a few days - also used a bottle brush - after that seal the tank with Por15 tank dealer.

 

I have used nuts and bolts---count them going in and coming out...


shake them around to dislodge anything loose as a first step, then vinegar or rubbing alcohol

mike

 

I used a bag of 1/4-20 nuts with water . I most of filled and dumped over twenty times, shaking each time with cardboard over top.

 

I've used a similar approach, except adding a little washing up detergent as well, which helps flush out smaller stuff.

 

White vinegar (given 24 hours or so) will eat away any rust or other contaminants, but will also be safe on the paint. I did 24 hours with the vinegar (3 gallons worth), then two rinses with water followed by a gasoline rinse. Installed the tank and filled it up with clean gas, no problems.

This was a 70 year old tank that looked 70 years old, been on my Flathead all season, only cleaned the fuel filter once, about a week after installation. Filter has been normal since.

Sometimes the easy solution is the best.

 

ive cleaned a few tanks in my time with "the works" toilet bowl cleaner. Ive had tanks completely full of rust on the inside come out looking shiny like new. Fill the tank with half warm water, then pour in a whole bottle of that stuff. Pick up the tank and slosh it around and let it sit. Pour that stuff out and rinse it out really well. Immediately take a blow dryer and dry it out, then fog it with WD40 so it doesn't flash rust again. That is very important. Ive had tanks from the 70s that looked hopeless and turned out like new again with that stuff. $1.50 a bottle at Kmart. DO NOT let that stuff touch your paint job. I use to tape over the hole that gas goes in before sloshing it around. If you accidentally get any on your tank immediately wash it off. Works better than any other product ive seen.

 

White vinegar and a couple window sash chains inside rattling around while you shake it.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I probably will try the vinegar because of the custom paint on the tank.

 

pieces of small chain and vinegar leave vinegar in for 24-48 hours then rinse