Gas Tank Cleaning - 1963

[Joel T.]

Hi All...

I'm still putzing with my 1963. Swapped out the distributor because the original had way too much up-down play in the shaft.. dwell would fluctuate as much a 5 degrees. While she idles great and sounds a bit meaner, this did not solve the loss of power issue.. It's basically worse.. I can't drive a block under any sort of acceleration without it bucking and loosing power.

I pulled the new gas filter and it was fine. I found that strainer Stuart mentioned in my AFB and actually removed it, but it was clean. Took the car out and had the same result.

I'm going to drain the tank and remove the sender to see what is there. Assuming that is the problem, I can certainly clean the sender and get it back in the question is how do folks clean out the tank?

If anyone can shed some light on how to do this, I would appreciate it!

Thanks!!

Joel

[Mike M.]

Re: Gas Tank Cleaning - 1963

the cost of cleaning then coating the inside of your original tank(by a reputable radiator shop) will approach the cost of a new tank from Quanta(they ad in driveline).mike

[John H.]

Re: Gas Tank Cleaning - 1963

Have you checked the fine mesh "sock" on the fuel sender inlet?

[Jack H.]

Re: Gas Tank Cleaning - 1963

But, if the tank is simply dirty with residue trapped in the bottom, removing the sending unit and rinsing out any reside/particulate matter that's left behind with fresh clean gas will do the trick.

Note the picture John Hinckley posted of the strainer 'sock'... They can catch debris, then 'shed' the debris back into the tank when the car sits presenting a 'Jeckyl & Hyde' profile. So you need to clean particulate matter from the filter/sock AND make sure residual debris is washed out of the tank.

Mike's right on the money when it comes to 'restoring' an original gas tank. But, a simple drain/clean job isn't that big of a deal.

Also, when you have the sending unit out and the fuel line disconnected, it's a good time to blow out the fuel line with compressed air (of course, you need to disconnect the line at the fuel pump first) to make sure all the 'plumbing' is free flowing...

Here's hoping that when you're done with this exercise, it doesn't turn out that you're suffering engine internal problems (e.g. flat cam, bad valve springs, rising rocker studs...)!

[Peter J.]

Re: Gas Tank Cleaning - 1963

Joel,
I not big on a lot of Eastwood's products and I had my doubts but I used their gas tank kit on my 66 about ten years ago and it hasn't caused me any problems. My tank was dirty and a little rusty on the inside and had a pin hole leak. Not wanting a repop I figured I'd give it a try. I remember dropping a chain in the tank to break loose the rust and a cleaner and I think an etching compound before using their sealer. Like I said ten years later no leak and no more trash in the carb. Now I did replace the worn out sock filter at the same time.

[Joel T.]

Re: Gas Tank Cleaning - 1963

Hi Guys;

I emptied the tank and removed the sender and here is what I found... pretty interesting actually...

The sock was clean... as clean as a whistle... not one speck of anything on it... however (and this may be the issue). the sock was folded over, basically in half, with the crease right over the end of the fuel pick up so that it was (I think) blocking the fuel input to some extent.... basically it was sucking fuel through 3-4 layers of mesh.

Thinking back, when I bought the new sending unit it came in a box and the sock was folded over to make it fit in the box. I just installed it the way it came... I should have pushed the sock down on the fuel tube, almost to the end. Ain't hind sight grand!

To Jack's point, I will disconnect the fuel line at the pump input and blow out the line... let's see what that shows but candidly, I do not expect to find a problem there... I also have a new fuel pump coming... should be here tomorrow... if we still have a problem once the fuel line is blown out then we will change the pump.

For the record.... the bottom of the tank is clean at least as observed with a flash light down the fuel filler...

Thanks again for all the support and suggestions!

Joel

[Tom H.]

Re: Gas Tank Cleaning - 1963

I hope that solves the problem !! Let us know !!