De-rust fuel tank

[briarpatch]

The last major hurdle getting my 66 CL77 going was the rust in the fuel tank. I read a lot of good techniques here but I was nervous about getting involved in something that wouldn't work and leave me more trouble than I started with. I followed some advice on this forum and went to Lowes Home Improvement and bought a two-pack of "The Works" toilet bowl cleaner. The bottle bragged it removes rust stains. I poured both bottles in the tank, put on the cap, sloshed it around for about a minute, and let it sit for five minutes. I poured some nasty stuff out of the tank through a shop rag into an empty gallon mayonaise jar, poured the stuff back in, and sloshed and drained again. I rinsed the tank out in warm water several times in my laundry tub, getting a lot of rust and crud flakes each time. I blew the tank out with compressed air. Then I sloshed around some Marvel Mystery Oil to prevent flash rust. I posted this because it was so easy and worked so well. THANKS to you guys for all the tips on getting my Scrambler on the road. Stan

[rustywrench]

Stan,
I would only ad a very small in line fuel filter to each line between the valve and the carb. It's not period correct but well worth having and could save ya a lot of grief later. Rusty

[briarpatch]

Thanks, Rusty! I plan on using a couple of lawnmower type filters that won't show much. This is more of a rescue than a restoration, so filters, later style cables, electronic ign. kind of stuff will be fine. - Stan

[rider5]

Hey Stan, thanks a bunch for the info on this. I used your method of "the works" toilet bowl cleaner followed by a dose of Marvel Mystery oil on my '65 CA77 tank and it really cleaned it up nice inside!!!

But here's a word of advice for anyone that wants to use this method - take OFF the chrome side panels first. My tanks still ahs the original paint & the chrome panels aren't perfect but they're in nice shape ... until I sloshed a bit too much and I guess the toilet bowl cleaner kind of "etched" the finish on one side (oops). I think I can get the finish back with a bit of TLC, we'll see. Oh yeah, you also don't wanna get that stuff on your clothing, ate a new hole on the leg of my faded jeans.

I've already tried to get a fuel filter into that short line from the fuel cock to the carb and there's just not enough room the way I tried it. My plan now is to attach a much longer line with the filter on it, loop it and tuck the excess inside above the carb so the line feeds back down and into the carb - you see I don't really want it to show. We'll see how this works after I get more rubber fuel line.

Will also try a fuel line disconnect on the crossover tubing. That whole area is pretty cramped for space so (again) we'll see how it goes.

Thanks again, this forum has been extremely helpful with this project.

[davesdreamin]

...But here's a word of advice for anyone that wants to use this method - take OFF the chrome side panels first.

Hey guys,

I'm a still pretty green. I had a couple questions about this process:

1) Did you take off the petcock to de-rust the tank? If so, how did you remove it all the way?

2) How did you remove the chrome side panels?

3) I was going to use WD-40 because that's what I have, any obvious advantages to using Marvel Mystery oil?

Thanks so much.

Dave

[FluteTears]

I did this process today on my tank.
It worked very well and yes don't get this stuff on your side covers, I did remove mine as they are just like new but I got some on my gas cap and well it is now etched to the point that a new one is on its way to me. Also I had water ready and glad I did it was attaching the paint it got tacky but no problems after a good and quick splash of water. This stuff is good at removing rust and I would suggest putting on some rubber gloves as I did not and it did sting my hands some.
Note I soaked mine more the 10 mins. The first time I went 20 with 2 bottles then the 2nd time I went with one bottle for 15mins with a water rinse each time then blew it out with air, then Marvel mystery oil coat.

[Izoomx2]

my tank had been 'creme'd' and guess there was still some rust because now the crème is lifting off ! I am not worried about the paint on the tank , so can I take it to a radiator shop and have it "rotted"? Will that get rid of the old crème stuff and get rid of ALL the rust? Then what do I coat it with if anything? HELP !!