Emptying a 1963 fuel tank.
Aside from driving, any recommendations on the best way to empty the gas tank in preparation replacement ?
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Jim Cear -
Re: Emptying a 1963 fuel tank.
Hi Jim,
How much gas is in the tank? I bought a universal electric gas pump at a FLAPS. I mounted it to a piece of plywood and powered it using a DC power supply (a car battery would work, too). I used a piece of fuel hose on both sides of the pump. One hose went into a five gallon can. The other hose connected to a fuel hose in the engine compartment (I forget exactly where). If you can clamp the car's fuel hose shut before opening up the system, there is no mess. I only had a gallon or so to deal with. If you have more than your gas can will hold, you may need to get a little creative.
Good luck,
Joe -
Re: Emptying a 1963 fuel tank.
Jim:
I use a 6-8 ft length of 3/8 ID x 1/2 OD Tygon clear plastic tubing to syphon the gas from the tank. I have done this many times without issue. The tubing is the clear/flexible kind that most hardware stores sell. I use a couple of Ty-wraps to attach a 2 ft piece of 1/2 inch diameter wooden dowel or metal rod to one end to keep the tubing straight and at the bottom when it is in the tank. Then simply drop that end of tubing in the tank. Use a suction bulb (also called a battery filler bulb.......sold at all auto stores) to draw a suction on the other end.
Fill however many containers you need to get out all the gas from the tank. It should pull just about everything out if you do it right.
If needed, pull the reinforced end of the tubing from the gas tank to break the syphon and stop the flow of gas. Repeat above as needed to re-establish the syphon.
LarryComment
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Re: Emptying a 1963 fuel tank.
In addition to above I jacked the car up some on the right side to get what gas was left to drain over to the opposite side of tank.Comment
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Re: Emptying a 1963 fuel tank.
When working around gasoline DO NOT USE A DROPLIGHT if a drop of gas hits the bulb it will EXPLODE !!!!Comment
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Re: Emptying a 1963 fuel tank.
I would second the idea of using clear plastic tubing and something to keep one end at the bottom of the tank. Drill a small hole in it 1/8" or so, about 2" from the end that goes in the gas can. Use your compressor with a pointed blower tip in that small hole, and blow toward the gas can end. You'll have suction almost instantaneously, stick it in the can, and it will siphons until empty.Comment
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Re: Emptying a 1963 fuel tank.
Hi Jim,
When I did mine I just disconnected the rubber fuel line hose between the sender and the line at the frame. I pinched the rubber hose then slipped the line off, released the hose and drained the gas into a metal pail bonded and grounded to protect against static discharge. I only had a couple of gallons to drain though. If your tank is almost full I think the syphon method is probably the best. You will still have some gas left in the tank so be prepared when you go to remove the tank. I drained mine outside then pushed the car back in the shop. Be very careful of fumes and ignition sources. Have a fire extinguisher on hand (I have 2, 20lbrs in the shop).
Kind regards and Merry Christmas.Comment
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Re: Emptying a 1963 fuel tank.
Using 2 clear 3/4" plastic hoses from the hardware store and my air compressor, putting both hoses into the filler neck and sealing the neck with a rag and duct tape, if there is a vent seal this also. Place one hose into a gas can or other receptacle. Take the air nozzle and put into the other hose and blow. This creates air pressure in the tank and forces the gas into the other hose and into the gas can. Removed about 7 gal. of gas with less than a gal. remaining in the tank. Did this on my 62.Comment
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