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DE36 fuel tank

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Roark
Posts: 161
Joined: Sat Feb 13, 2016 10:52 am

DE36 fuel tank

Post by Roark »

I was going to take the fuel tank to be powder coated and the company asked that I drain and flush it carefully. The petrol came out but moving the tank around produced the sound of something solid sliding about. I put several gallons of water into it and then drained that out to the accompaniment of dollops of rust hitting the floor. There is still much of this stuff left in the tank. I can try several more attempts to flush out the rust. Alternatively I could have a stainless steel tank made.
My inclination was to take it to a company that might take off one end to flush it out and even have it blast cleaned but previous experience with sand blasted tanks left me with a tank with small pin holes and that tank was only 25 years old if not younger. I know there is a product that coats the inside of fuel tanks.
In addition the two pick-up pipes do not have any form of filtration mesh fitted. The mesh that's fitted to SP250 pick up pipes. Should they have such mesh. If not I will have to have some soldered on or the carburettors will be full of muck.
Then to make life more "interesting" the fuel tank sender is rusted solid. I have tried applications of Plus Gas but it doesn't seem to want to move and applying heat is not possible.
Any suggestions will be received gratefully!

Chris_R
Wise Man
Wise Man
Posts: 662
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 12:48 pm
Location: Twickenham

Re: DE36 fuel tank

Post by Chris_R »

Flushing out will only remove loose rust. Use an endoscope to look inside to see the extent of rust damage. There are some rust disolving products on the market. I have no idea how effective they are but you could investigate that and possibly use them to disolve any rust to remove it. The endoscope will let know which areas of the tank you need to concentrate on. Then perhaps slosh in some rust converter before putting in a sealer.

terryfrombury
Posts: 154
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2016 10:25 pm
Location: Cheshire, UK

Re: DE36 fuel tank

Post by terryfrombury »

There`s quite a thread on here quite recently about fuel tanks. A couple of us mentioned one firm - they did mine and made a splendid job. Try;
https://www.fueltanks.co.uk/

Peter Grant
Wise Man
Wise Man
Posts: 503
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2016 10:02 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: DE36 fuel tank

Post by Peter Grant »

John, hi.
You are spending so much time and effort tonight your car as near to right as possible, why not get a new tank made and then you have the confidence that the fuel system should not let you down with a leaking tank, rust and muck blocking the fuel lines and an accurate fuel gauge.
I am complete hypocrite as mine is till the original tank and sender and happily shows full all the time. I fill up by log book, I allow 9 miles per gallon and fill accordingly. As my tyres are slightly smaller than spec it gives me a 10 percent buffer as my odometer is a little " positive" about distances travelled.
Cheers
Peter G

Roark
Posts: 161
Joined: Sat Feb 13, 2016 10:52 am

Re: DE36 fuel tank

Post by Roark »

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have considered the stainless steel route but which company is the best? Another problem is that the fuel pipes are copper and with the increasing use of ethanol in modern petrol perhaps I should consider changing the pipes as well. Apparently there is a plastic pipe that can be used, buses use it so was told and Land Rovers have it too. What choice have others made please?

Roark
Posts: 161
Joined: Sat Feb 13, 2016 10:52 am

Re: DE36 fuel tank

Post by Roark »

Good afternoon,
Does anyone have any recommendations on the subject of stainless steel fuel tank manufacturers please? My suspicions about the original tank might mean a stainless one is the only route. I have sent a mail to Jay Wolfe in Northampton but I am waiting for the response.

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