Help gas tank desperately needed

[Charles J]

I have a 24 coupe with a oval tank that's is full of rust I need a good tank would love to find a new one it seams the dealers are out of them right now .Dan said that Gators might have some I don't know how to contact them thanks Charlie Charles Jenkins 84 @ gmail.com

[Dan Hatch]

Gator AKA Santa lives in LA ( Lower Alabama)
Pm me and I will send you his number. Dan

[z_carrico]

This is not what you asked for... But I had a tank that when received had remnants of very old gas(?) and copious amounts of rust. Putting a box of drywall screws inside, along with a lye solution, I stuck it in the cement mixer padding it with old rags and let it run for an hour or so, the inside rinsed amazingly clean after and I was able to solder the couple pin holes that were left behind. Maybe there is some hope for a rescue?

[John kuehn]

I would give the advice on using screws, pea gravel and etc. and use that to try to remove the rust. I used pea gravel on one of mine and it really helped removing the rust. I didn’t have a mixer to turn the tank but kept shaking it by hand. It took a while but it worked.
Don’t throw your tank away just yet and give it a try. You might be surprised that there is still some life in your rusted up gas tank. Just rinse it several times after you remove most of the rust. I found the rust would come out easier when it was dry.

[Brian D]

Charlie,
While on Tour in South Dakota I was suffering with sediment plugging the sediment bowl. After cleaning several times and not getting very far before plugging again I thought my tour was over the first day.
I put a magnetic on the bottom (outside) of the tank attracting the rust to the magnetic area.
Solved my problem, I thought temporarily. When I got home I attached a magnet to a 3/8's rod and pushed it inside the tank to the collected rust. Pulled the magnet off the outside of the tank and removed the collected rust. Did this about twice a year for a couple of years.
Still have magnet there, no longer collecting rust, cleaned it right up. Worked
Brian.

[tmodeldriver]

When you have a gas tank that discharges from the bottom you can solder a piece of tubing into the sediment bulb of a length that will protrude about 1 to 1 1/2 inches into the tank. This will limit your driving range a bit but will draw cleaner gas and leave all that tramp metal and rust in the bottom of the tank. The cowl-mounted tanks of 1926/27 won't allow this fix.

The magnet is a good idea also. I plan to try this on my 26. Thanks, Brian

[Adam]

See if you can find a radiator shop that is willing to clean it out, pressure test it, fix any little leaks, and guarantee it, without “coating” it with anything inside or out.

The only problem with a fuel tank that has any flaky rust inside, is that when the rust is removed, it is probable there will be a bunch of tiny holes.

[Mark Gregush]

Trouble with a stand pipe, it will leave all the water and crap in the bottom of the tank. So the only way to clean/drain the tank is to remove the sediment bowl. It is bad enough that when the sediment bowl is screwed into the tank they stick up above the bottom, they are not flush with the bottom inside of the tank. So when opening the drain valve you are only getting what is in the bowl not what is sitting around it on the bottom of the tank.

[TRDxB2]

Have you tried seeing if a local sheet metal manufacture would make a one/some - the price for one vs a few and sell the rest. This place says "no order too small" and looks like they have the equipment to make a tank - need to take your old one.
Source for repro flanges for the cover and sediment bulb may need to be located. Maybe you can get them started reproducing them by explaining current availability. Worth a try

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

I had trouble with a gas tank on a 1924 Buick. I sent it to Gas Tank Renu, https://www.gastankrenu.com/, they did an awesome job! If you go that route however, tell them NOT to coat the outside of the tank and NOT to coat the gas cap or outlet threads!

I believe it cost me about $200. Cheap, if you can't find a gas tank, not as cheap if you can buy a new tank.

[AZTerry]

Hello Charles,

I am of course in favor of replacing the fuel tank but over 20 years ago I solved a rust problem plugging the sediment bowl with a VW gas tank fuel filter.
I got the idea on how to do so from the MTFCA carburetor manual. Except the first one I did, I just do it slightly differently.
I still do it today on every T that I work on (except 26-27).

Here is a link to one place it can be purchased: https://www.jbugs.com/product/111209147 ... gIjivD_BwE



I grind the nipple off the sediment bowl.
Then using 1/2" pipe fitting as a guide, I counter bore the end of the sediment bowl 3/16-1/8" deep with a 5/8" drill bit.
I then use a piece 3/8" pipe that I have ground a taper on the end to press the filter into the sediment bowl.
I have just driven them in with a small punch as well.

In the past I have purchased the filter from after market suppliers such as BAP. Those filters no longer work.
The genuine VW filters have an aluminum ring that compressed when you press it in.
The after market filters that I have seen have a steel ring that does not compress when you try to press it in.
My one experience with the steel ring I broke the end of the sediment bowl and had to repair it before pressing in a VW filter.

I hope this information helps.

Thank you,
Terry