New gas tank

[Lunar_Camel]

So I just received my new gas tank and ultimate kit from Clark's to go into my '66 Monza. I've been reading on some forums that the tank should be sealed before the install and others that say that if its a new tank, it doesn't need to be sealed.

Which one is correct?

Most of them seem to recommend Pro-15. Is it the "best" or are there others that work just as well?

Also, are there any other tips for installing the new tank that I need to know? Its usually the small things that make it the hardest.

Thanks in advance.

[azdave]

I think most of us say not to use sealer inside a new tank since we aren't confident that the 10-15% ethanol gasoline blend won't cause the coating to flake off and make a bigger mess later. I've removed tanks with failed sealer and it is like hard corn flakes inside that all settle in the bottom and clog the sock and jam up the float arm.

Here is a pic of a tank coating that failed. This was on a parts car but the tank appeared pretty good on the outside.

[Nickshu]

Dave is right, I would install it as is. If you do anything I would prep and POR15 the outside of the tank, but would not seal it. Clark's tanks are made from "gas tank steel" and if it does rust it will be many, many years before it does so. Go look over on any motorcycle forum and you'll see about a million threads about the nightmares of gas tank sealer peeling off inside the tank and clogging everything up downline.

Now one thing I am interested in are the new Stabil products they are advertising to help treat ethanol containing fuel to reduce evaporation/water.

[Lunar_Camel]

Could I just paint the outside (Rustoleum e.g.) to protect it from the elements or would it need something more?

[Nickshu]

Rustoleum is fine. POR15 is just more fuel resistant so it may be a better choice for at least the filler neck as Rustoleum will probably dissolve upon contact with fuel.

The new tanks from Clark's come coated in a Paraffin type grease. It's best to remove this with some gasoline or brake cleaner before installing and certainly before painting.

Especially remove it from inside the tank....don't ask my how I know...(Took me a few minutes to figure out what all that brown smoke coming out my exhaust was...back upon ramps, drained the tank again, cost me another new fuel filter, no fun!).

[DAVECS1]

Another good alternative paint I have found to use, that is extremely chemical resistant, is Duplicolors wheel or Caliper paint. This stuff is great! It covers very easily and it dries to the touch in 8 minutes. It makes it very easy to work with and put many coats on in a short period of time. I keep a couple bottles of satin black floating around for those on the fly fabrications and cleaning up old parts. Most of this is duplicolor wheel paint.



The tins are what has been painted, I have not touched the car itself.

[gbarron]

Check this thread for useful R&I info :

viewtopic.php?f=225&t=5779" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Lunar_Camel]

Thanks for the link gbarron. That one answers most, if not all of my questions.

[terribleted]

POR 15 is not a good choice over bare clean steel. It does not adhere well. Works very well on rust but not so well on clean steel (particularly galvanized steel). If you want ultimate protection for the outside of the tank have it powdercoated. Honestly I have never had a big problem with them being left bare (they are galvanized and generally will not surface rust) or painted with almost any paints designed for use over bare galvanized steel or primer for galvanized followed by paint. The tank is pretty well protected in its location. A big rock or curb hitting the bottom is not going to be discouraged much by any paint or coating:)

I would not recommend using any tank sealer in a new tank.

[aslondon]

I used rustoleum rubberized undercoating on the exterior of the tank for some added protection. While I had it out, I took the opportunity to clean and undercoat the entire area that the tank sits in.

AL\l

[Lunar_Camel]

Anyone have any suggestions on how to clean out the grease from the inside? Not enough room to reach inside and scrub it out.

[terribleted]

Grease? In a new tank? Maybe some sort of protectant. I would try rinsing it with lacquer thinner or gasoline.

[bbodie52]

You might check with Clark's Corvair Parts, but I suspect that any protective anti-rust coating inside the tank will dissolve harmlessly into the first tank of gasoline.

[Lunar_Camel]

So the tank is prepped and ready to go. On looking at the tips on the install and the assembly manual, the anti-squeak material is cemented in place. What kind of cement? And is it easier to put it on the tank or body first?

I'm hoping to do this over the weekend and I would like it to be just the weekend.

[Nickshu]

Grease .. Yes. I didn't remove mine and had brown smoke out the exhaust. I drained and dropped the tank again to clean out. Some sort of paraffin based sealer.

POR15 - won't it stick fine if you prep bare metal with their two step bare metal prep? This is what I did and have had no peeling. Plus if you catch a rock and need to touch it up it's easy. Not the case with powder coating, no opportunity to repair it.

On the pads I used contact cement. Once it's in place the it's pinched in position anyhow.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk

[Nickshu]

Oops double post