tractor dirty and rusty gas tanks

Roger in Iowa · Oct 27, 2022

What has worked for you removing varnish, dirt and rust from tractor gas tanks.
Have heard of Gasohol, E-85, nuts and bolts and tumble, but what really works?

Friend has several tractors that have been sitting for 10 years or more.

kris Jensen · Oct 27, 2022

I have used on several occasions an electrolocist bath
Battery charger, a tank large enough to submerge the other tank, a bit of soap,(cup or two)
and patience It takes a day or two, then rinse of your tank and blow it dry.
A plastic garbage tub worked great for a farmall A gas tank. A piece of rebar as the sacrificial anode,
Lots of info on the internet. You tube will have video's of how to do.

Geo-TH,In · Oct 27, 2022

I replaced the orginal tank on Jubilee.
Bought it from YT.
Best solution.
If you can buy new tank, do it.
Phosphoric acid is the only acid I know of that can convert rust back to iron.
Then what do you coat the inside of the tank with to prevent new rust?
Don't remember what I used to coat the inside of an old car's tank. It wasn't cheap restoring a tank, that's why I bought a new tank for Jubilee.

Steve@Advance · Oct 27, 2022

E85 will clean out dried scum, but if it's flaking rust it will have to be coated or replaced. Rust can be removed by mechanical or chemical means, but it may reveal pin holes.

I've heard good and bad about coatings, but even if the coating works it will still be weak around the outlet fitting.

New aftermarket is the easiest solution. Or if something rare, the bottom can be cut out and a new piece fobbed and brazed in.

One other solution for parade tractors, cut the tank open and hide a fuel cell inside. Cover up the hole and Bondo it. It will have a smaller capacity, but that can be a good thing if it is not used regularly.

Mtjohnso · Oct 27, 2022

On my Super A and my Farmall H I put heavy duty magnets on the bottom of the tank. It seems to collect the rust on the inside where the magnet is attached.

RedGreenGuy · Oct 27, 2022

3 yrs ago had 14gal Ford tank cleaned and coated at a radiator shop. $250. Can probably purchase new tank for close to what it would cost now.

fusion1 · Oct 28, 2022

I cleaned out a old motorcycle gas tank a few weeks ago
I filled it with White Vinegar and left it set for a week
every few days I would give it a shake
after a week I poured out the dirty vinegar and refilled with new
repeated for a week
it came out nice and clean .

tractor dirty and rusty gas tanks

Roger in Iowa

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kris Jensen

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Geo-TH,In

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Steve@Advance

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Mtjohnso

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RedGreenGuy

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fusion1

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