Gas tank from hell

[57dohc]

My brother has an interesting and cheap way to clean his old gas tanks.  After removal, he straps to the wheel of a jacked up tractor, fills it about half full of gravel and water and just lets it turn for most of the day.  It really cleans them up but wouldn't help with pinholes or repairs.

[hiball3985]

My brother has an interesting and cheap way to clean his old gas tanks.  After removal, he straps to the wheel of a jacked up tractor, fills it about half full of gravel and water and just lets it turn for most of the day.  It really cleans them up but wouldn't help with pinholes or repairs.

Thats a good idea, I'll bet you could use a lot of different mediums like walnut shells etc if you are lucky enough to have a tractor.

[clusterbuster]

I took a thirteen week US Army body repair course and they taught us to put a hose on the exhaust of a vehicle and insert it into the gas tank inlet. Run the vehicle for an hour and remove hose.  Tank then safe to use a torch for soldering etc.

[hiball3985]

This was the bottom of the floor, the top of the tank didn't look much better, sorry I didn't have a camera available at the time. Pulled the rear springs today for new bushings and new shocks will be added also.

[RICH MUISE]

On a California car too! Yikes.
LOL   Just scuff it up it'll be fine.

[57 Ford Kustom]

Hiball,
   We have the same problem with those termites up here in the North East.
Tim

[Frankenstein57]

Some of the designs of these cars, you have to wonder. Wouldn't take to many leaves to plug up those drain holes. My body man buddy has an older low mileage camry in the shop, the fender bottoms are gone. Pulled a basket full of leaves out of the fender bottoms, it's not just road salt that kills them

[hiball3985]

A good part of the damage was caused by some previous owner who had put a bolt, nut and washers in the drain hole, unbelievable

[hiball3985]

Just for fun since I don't see a nostalgic thread here is a scan of some old photos, my "Chevy Killer"
circa 1968 when I was young and skinny LOL. This was my second 57.

[Limey57]

My brother has an interesting and cheap way to clean his old gas tanks.  After removal, he straps to the wheel of a jacked up tractor, fills it about half full of gravel and water and just lets it turn for most of the day.  It really cleans them up but wouldn't help with pinholes or repairs.

Thats a good idea.  I haven't got a tractor but I havbe got a DIY sized cement mixer so I'm going to find a way of strapping the tank to that and let it run for a while.  I'll add some strong detergent to the water (we call it "traffic film remover") to help clean up the inside.

[Limey57]

This was the bottom of the floor, the top of the tank didn't look much better, sorry I didn't have a camera available at the time. Pulled the rear springs today for new bushings and new shocks will be added also.

Thanks, you made my day, I now have evidence tha my Ranchero isn't the rustiest Ranchero out there!!! My floor before during & after:

[57 Ford Kustom]

Hiball,
   Great pics! I love the old photos, The Lady killer, and the Chevy Killer! LOL If I put pics up from 68' you would see a snot nosed 4 yr old kid! I have a pic of my Dads first car, It's a 4dr. 57 custom 300. Heck, I even have the temporary paper plate for it on my wall! Tom was quite the pack rat!
Thanks,
Tim

[hiball3985]

Thanks, you made my day, I now have evidence tha my Ranchero isn't the rustiest Ranchero out there!!! My floor before during & after:

That came out very nice, well done. I took a different approach and made the top of the tank and floor flat, it holds about 25-26 gallons now, $$$$$ at fill up time.

[hiball3985]

Thanks Tim, I'm glad you liked them. I found one of my first 57, in 1966 taken by an aunt that was visiting. I sure wish I had more of many of my cars, just didn't think about it at the time.

[57 Ford Kustom]

Hiball,
   Thats a beauty! Here is a picture of My Dad's in 60'