I just bought an '87 Turbo II from an old timer. His pristine car has been sitting in his garage since '98 and has not run since then. I have done tons of research on how to get her ready to run after such a long time, before I even try to start it so I don't "f" it up.
SO, I drained the stank gas/turpentine, pulled the fuel pump and saw all the rust inside. Therefore, I have pulled the tank out and am now between buying a new tank or bringing this one back to life. The rust isn't very bad. I mean it is not chunky or rotting through. It just seems like surface rust and it is a bit sticky at the bottom because of the old gas.
Does anyone know how to get it sparkling clean again so I can still use it? Any tidbits of information of ideas or directions are greatly appreciated. Thanks fellas!

 

The way I have heard of cleaning it and its the same way I cleaned my fuel tank. Pour a decent amount of fresh gas in it and block off all openings with rags and shake the living hell out of the tank and dump it out and repeat until you stop seeing rust, definitely DO NOT USE WATER to clean it out lol.

 

that sounds reasonable, thanks for the info! I let you know how that goes

 

No problem, alright give me a heads up when your done. It worked good for me

 

if that doesnt get everything clean your local auto parts store has several different products that will help,autozone has something specifically for that though i cant remember off the yop of my head what it is,seafoam is another thing that should break up any sediment or gunk thats in there,im getting ready to do the same thing to my 88gxl thats been sitting last 15 yrs

 

Use lacquer thinner to remove all the deposits.

Then mix in a bit of your favourite degreaser (Super Clean) with the appropriate amount of water and swish it around thoroughly.

There are then products you can buy to coat the inside of the tank to prevent the rust from returning. The POR-15 company makes a great tank repair kit.

 

awesome, i wish i would have known all that when i cleaned my tank! oh well, im not going to take it back out just to clean it when it wasn't that dirty in the first place.

 

now what about the fuel lines the have the same crude inside them? having the same issue with this.

 

+1 on the POR tank sealer kit. I have used it numerous times on motorcycle projects with rusty gas tanks. Haven't done a car tank with it yet, but the concept is the same (except that the tank is harder to lift...)

Tracy

 

Compressed air is about your only option short of replacement that comes to mind.

Tracy

 

yeah, you can take a spray can of carb or fuel inj. cleaner to loosen it up and shoot some air thru them,if you dont have a compressor i imagine you could use one of those portable air tanks with a blower attachment