First, I don't think the dents will cause any problems whatsoever. The
varnish, on the other hand, I'm not sure about. If new raw gas slowly
dissolves it, it may just pass through the engine & cause no problems. If
it stays hard forever, it may be no problem either, but if it turns to gel
or starts to flake it cause you a lot of grief. I'm posting to the list for
some other experiences (mine wasn't varnished up, so I didn't deal with that
problem).
I will say, however, that $300 should cover gold plating the tank! I got
mine boiled out (not steam cleaned, but soaked in a mild alkali solution for
about a week) for $50 (although now I'm cleaning it again in prep for
sealer) & the seal job is estimated at $125.
I've seen new Stainless Steel tanks for $350 approx.
Regards,
Doug Pewterbaugh
dpewter@msn.com
Denton, TX
49 3104 216 5-window
-----Original Message-----
From: varanus@mail.phoenix.net <varanus@mail.phoenix.net>
To: dpewter@msn.com <dpewter@msn.com>
Date: Tuesday, June 08, 1999 11:07 AM
Subject: gas tank questions
Hi Doug: I have the tank out of my 57 suburban (took me 3 hours
because of 1 rusted strap to frame bolt! ridiculous). I haven't
taken the sender unit off yet but I can smell the varnish very
strongly.
My question is: does varnish actually act as a protector to some
degree. The tank is in fine shape on the outside being that it was up
in dry Amarillo since 57. The shop I am going to take it to will
boil it for about $300 but I don't think they can put the steel shot
in as they are a radiator shop. I believe the $300 also includes
resealing/lining.
I actually have 2 more questions. 1.) the tank has a few dents. Will
this effect anything? They are not huge dents but dents nonetheless.
2.) I was just going to buy a new sender unit because I really don't
want to have to take the tank out again.
I have never worked with gas tanks before - not that there is much to
them obviously - but those little things one learns only from
experience I don't want to ignore. I want this done right the first
time. If I had a lift in the garage, then I wouldn't mind so much but
I have a one lane driveway that turns to flagstone towards the garage
and that makes it really hard to work underneath. I don't
have the room to slide under easily and I can't roll a creeper over
the flagstone. I need a farm!
Anyway, would like to hear your thoughts.
Thanks, Eric Pesci
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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