1950-1966 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Dan,
I've restored many gas tanks, and the 99 tank isn't easy. There are many professional tank restorers listed in Hemmings Auto Magazine. I wouldn't reccomend using an outfit that isn't familiar with them. To do it yourself, I would use the POR-15 gas tank products (also listed in Hemmings). It's a three step process...a degreaser, metal prep, and a liquid liner. The liner is the most critical step, once you've committed,there's no going back. That's where the 99 tank becomes difficult. It has inner baffles for strength as well as to eliminate fluctuations on the fuel sender from gas sloshing around. My concern was to have a large pool of the tank liner harden and effect the performance of the fuel flow, and perhaps ruin the tank. I've restored about a dozen tanks, and only had to use liner on two. Heres what to do...Buy the degreaser and a gallon of the metal prep.You may also use Simple Green for the degreaser. Get a box of BB pellots at a gun shop. Drain, and remove tank. Remove pump and sender. Get rubber pool plugs(any hardware store) at the proper size, as well as find proper plugs for the smaller lines. Flush out tank several times with a garden hose to start. Boil about 4 or 5 gallons of water, pour it in tank with the BB's and the degreaser (or Simple Green). Here's the hard part....you have to slosh the tank around to descale the rust. Beleive me, the tank is very difficult to move around . Rig yourself a sling...hang the tank from a large tree branch high enough to not hit the ground and far enough out to give you a large "swing". swing and spin the tank so all sides and corners of tank get sloshed and hit by the pellots. Do this for about a half an hour. Pour out the water, repeat about a half dozen times. As soon as I pour the hot water in, I refill the pots for the next round. You will be amazed at what comes out..especially the first round. Inspect your progress by the color of the water as you pour it out, as well as using a flashlight to inspect the inside of the tank as you go.Repeat a dozen or more times if you think it needs it...de-scaling the tank is the most important step!!! When you feel youve cleaned the tank as best you can, pour out all water and BB pellots MAKE SURE YOU REMOVE ALL BB PELLOTS.....it involves a lot of shaking. the sling will help. also a magnetic pickup tool will help for the frustrating straglers. When done, flush tank with strait water. Confirm your tank has been nicely plugged and add the full gallon of Metal-Prep. Follow the directions.slosh around and leave tank propped in various positions to allow all sides of the tank to get soaked for hours. This process could take a couple of days, but it will be well worth it. The Metal Ready turns rust into zinc oxcide. It is amazing stuff. It's also re-usable. When done, drain metal ready into a bucket. I'm sure you sending unit will be rusty as well. Use WD40 and a small brush to de-scale it. Drop it into the bucket of Metal ready. At this point, look inside of your tank....I guarantee it will look absolutely brand new. So long as your tank seams are ok you won't have to re-line. If you don't feel comfortable without using the liner, use it then. Make sure the tank is 100% bone dry before using any liner, follow the instructions, and don't get liner on your hands. The main thing with doing a tank is being patient...don't rush the job...figure on 3-4 days. Best of luck.
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