Cleaning gas tank?

[salvageyard saviour]

I have 2 cylinder 20 gallon below deck tanks.
The boat is 1970 Penn Yan, but I think tanks are newer when stringers and deck was done.

The boat sat in a barn for 20 years and the tanks are full of crud. The pickup in 1 plugs up, other tank at least works. Gauges are frozen on both.

I need a 2 3/8 socket to remove gauges (old Rochester mechanical) so large access hole. Is there a way to shopvac the crud out safely?

 

[flashback]

Interesting, galvanized so probably rusty, maybe an acid wash with a pressure washer?

 

[airshot]

Why take the chance ?? Being ten miles offshore with clogged fuel lines does not sound like much fun !! Replace them with aluminum or plastic tanks !!!

 

[salvageyard saviour]

Why take the chance ?? Being ten miles offshore with clogged fuel lines does not sound like much fun !! Replace them with aluminum or plastic tanks !!!

That's certainly good advice.
Not sure how comforting it would be to go out 10 miles or more to troll for the day with only 40 gallons anyway.

But

I'd like to find something to do for now,while they're still mounted. If possible.

If I have to tear the deck up, new tanks are the way to go. Then I can have senders for a gauge at the helm. Also give me a chance replace the carpet in back for a surface to use a wash down system.

 

[mr 88]

There is no feasible way of cleaning a fuel tank while it is still in the boat . Doing it half assed in this case will result in you rebuilding the carb every other week, even with a few fuel filters which will constantly clog up .

 

[salvageyard saviour]

Thanks for the reality check. Didn't hurt to hope.
The 20 year old gas drained from it was like syrup. The tops of the tanks are probably a solid layer of varnish.

Guess I'll get that new deck surface

 

[airshot]

Thanks for the reality check. Didn't hurt to hope.
The 20 year old gas drained from it was like syrup. The tops of the tanks are probably a solid layer of varnish.

Guess I'll get that new deck surface

Trying to salvage those tanks would end up being a nightmare!!