Since i am considering buying a new tank any way(only $165), should i just drill a hole in the old tank and let it drain out?
Also, can i use just a poly urethane clear on the tank, or does it have to be paint specific to gas tanks?

TIA

 

I really wouldn't drill the old tank, too risky. Get a hand pump and you should be fine. I did a tank swap awhile ago using this pump and got all but the last half gallon out:

https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Transf..._bs_15707731_4

No advice on the paint, but I'm sure someone else can weigh in. I bought my tank already painted.

 

THANKS, Bovine!! i guess there is no baffle keeping you from gettin that hose down in there.

 

There actually is a baffle in there, but the hose is flexible enough to work around it. It takes a little while to get everything out. I stuck a few old nuts on the end of the hose so it would drop down to the bottom of the tank, which helped.

An alternate option is to disconnect the fuel line in the engine bay and just run the in tank pump. I believe this is done by disconnecting the fuel pump wiring where it passed through the sheet metal (right above the trans tunnel) and applying 12V. I didn't try this myself since my pump was shot too, but it might save you some time. Definitely check into this before you decide to do it by hand.

 

Siphon worked fine for mine.

As far as paint, no one ever sees it. I plasti dipped mine, but you can do what you want with it. Por15 could be a good one to use as well, just to keep it from rusting.

 

Is the old pump dead? If not, just use it to pump the fuel out

 

You can paint the outside of the tank with anything; doesn't matter in the least. Gas will dissolve many kinds of paint though, try before buy.

Tanks usually rust more from the inside out (from water laying in the bottom for years on end); they're usually aluminized or something on the outside to protect that side of the metal.

 

got ya..... the pump is dead....so by hand it will be. what did you siphon the gas into(container)? cause i think the tank is pretty full....

i have replaced the entire drive-line in the car, by myself, by hand, in a garage on jack stands. i know what i am in for.... just not looking forward to it....yet i am...know what i mean?

 

I get it... definitely something fun about starting a project despite the time, skinned knuckles, missing/broken parts, and liberal application of swear words.

I pumped into a couple 5gal containers I had on hand and used it in my lawnmower. A lot of cities have hazardous material recycling centers that will take old gas, so that might be an option to look into. I'd be careful about pumping gas into a container that's not HDPE or metal though.