<VV> Gas Tank Rust, Rocks and Rodent Urine

[Rick Norris]

I find it interesting the many ways folks come up with to fix old gas tanks. 
I know, some FC's and 60 models are different.
To my way of thinking peace of mind is important here along with doing the 
job once and correctly the first time.
A new gas tank and a can of sealer for the inside and outside comes to 
around $226 not including shipping from Clarks.
I replace the tank on all my Corvairs and most others I do work on if it is 
proven to be the problem. It is cheap insurance.
I know some folks like to do it as "cheaply" as possible but, you have to 
count the sweat equity. Your time is worth something.
In the time it takes to remove a tank, roll rocks, an old chain or a cheap 
China socket set around inside an old rusty tank then
slop some coating over whats left and re-install it and always wonder if it 
will work I can have the new tank coated and installed
and not have to ever worry about it.
Just my $1.98 worth. Your rust may vary.

Rick Norris
#36 Sunoco Corvair
www.corvairalley.com

 Talk of the rusty gas tank and coating it worries me -- I have had some 
very bad experiences with professionally applied interior gas tank sealant 
jobs -- happened before I owned it.
>
> First, we don't know if this specific tank rusted through from the inside 
> or the outside -- it could be near pristine inside, but some vermin nested 
> up on the top of it and we all know what mouse pee does to a tank, but it 
> does it on the outside.  Or it could be from the inside, where one first 
> needs to remove the excess rust before trying to coat it, so ...
>
> There is supposed to be a video on u-tube -- Google for Molasses Rust 
> Removal -- the Corvette boys in my back yard say it is there -- anyway, I 
> have seen some evidence that it works, soaking rusty parts in a 
> molasses/water mix over several days -- don't know why, but but rust was 
> gone -- they have a big sand blast operation and it gets a lot of use, so 
> they are in the rust removal biz and keep their eyes open for new 
> innovations.
>
> Buy feed grade molasses at a livestock feed supply -- five gallons should 
> be less than ten bucks.
>
> Sounds sorta like the inside of a gas tank would be a good place to try 
> it -- wouldn't have to find a barrel big enough to do the outside.
> Bill Strickland