401 gas tank

[jcb857 161]

I have a 401 gas tank that has a little bit of rust in the tank. What is the best way to get the inside of the tank cleaned up? After the tank is rust free what should I coat the inside of the tank with to keep it rust free for years to come?

[64s 83]

Put a handful of rocks in the tank. Wrap it up tightly with a towel or two. Put it in your dryer and turn it on (no heat) for a half hour or so. Check it until you are satisfied with the results.

As for a coating on the inside, check with your local auto parts shop. There are a few products designed to do the job, but I've never used any personally.

[AMC RULES 37,141]

I think one of the most interesting ways I've seen for cleaning rust from the inside of the tank, was one of our European brothers...Farmer IIRC?

He threw a handful of small hardware(nuts, bolts)in the tank, then zip tied the tank to a tractor rim, and proceeded to drive around doing yard work for a day.

I imagine you might go crazy listening to the racket, but I bet the inside was squeaky clean afterwards? :dunno:

[Rollerman 290]

If your familiar with the electrolysis process you can try it too.

I've cleaned a few metal fuel tanks with good results.

With normal electrolysis you soak a part in a water solution with a negative charge & positive charge on sacrificial anodes on the edge of your container.

The process pulls rust, dirt, paint away from th part/parts your cleaining towards the positive charged annodes.

With a metal tank I fill it full of the water solution, put a negative charge on the tank body itself, then use a piece of PVC tube with several holes drilled into it in the fill hole & hang a positive charged sacrificial annode within the PVC.

The PVC acts like an insulator.

Here's a link that got me started.

http://antique-engin...om/electrol.asp

[VinsRJ 723]

I like to fill the tank with Lime-A-Way and let it sit for a couple of days. I tend not to seal my tanks, keep fresh gas in it and you will not have a problem.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,145]

Super Iron Out does a good job on light rust.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,363]

I use a chain with oil inside and shake it for a while. All good suggestions above. I would make sure that you install a good filter when done.

[Fun Engineer 859]

I used this product on my 857 tank over 10 years ago and it worked great. I had a small pin hole at the time and a pretty rusty tank. There is probably enough to do 2-4 tanks depending upon condition.

www.eastwood.com Gas Tank Sealer Kit located under the Specialty Coatings button on the top.

[jcb857 161]

Thanks for all the help.