Fuel tank line connection - shut off valve

I'm getting ready to tank my tank in and get it boiled/sealed. Once I get it back in the truck, I wanted to install some sort of shut off valve near the tank itself. I haven't seen anything in the catalogs, etc. Is there a preference on what to use for this?

 

It's just a fairly generic Weatherhead brass valve , many just toss it out and us a 90? nipple , I think the shut off valve is safer .

 

Thanks Nate.

 

Here's what I used

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/EDE0/331220.oap?ck=Search_331220_-1_2068&keyword=331220

Napa has a similar one

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Brass-Fitting-Ground-Plug-Multiple-Shut-Off/_/R-WH_6804_0080519583

 

I just pulled the the shut off valve off my 53 Chevy truck fuel tank.
Seems the one I had would screw into the tank. I am actually looking for one myself that matches the original.
Seems the ones shown from Napa or o'Reilys do not have the threaded stem piece that would slide up to the Tank and screw in.

Anyone found an exact replacement? I am also deciding to replace the 60+ year old tank with a new one, so I assume the fitting on the tank would be the same as the old tank?


-James

 

Fuel Tank ' fun '

James ;

Go to your FLAPS and ask to look through the Weatherhead Catalog , you'll find it in there .

Once you have the correct P/N it's easy to order .

Be cautious about new fuel tanks ! they're 2/3 the thickness of metal as the originals and almost always leak around the poorly welded seams .

Unless your old tank is rotted out , you can clean & de rust it @ home then line it or not as you choose .

 

Good to know and thank you. I was getting some very slight leakage around the sender wire grommet and the fuel line grommet and assumed that tank might be having some issues because of its age.


Overall it looks solid. Not sure about the inside, but perhaps it is worth saving it.

I have heard from others that its more trouble then its worth to try to recondition them, and is why I was thinking of getting a new one.

Have you come across any methods of cleaning out the tank and de-rusting them that could help?

Best,
James

 

^^^^
+1000

 

Spectra Canadian made

http://www.rockauto.com/m/mobilecatalog.php?catalog=22&partnum=GM55A

Correct threads on bottom

 

Thanks for the link Tubby.

Btw when reinstalling this tanks, any recommendation? I am going to replace the old shut off valve, but curious if I should install the stem piece in the tank prior to putting it back in the cab. That way it is easier to line up with the fuel line hole in the floor. Then install the Shut off value from under the truck.
Or is it best to have the shutoff valve with stem in first then poke it up thru the floor and screw it into the tank.

I guess it doesn't matter, but wondering if anyone has any suggestion on reconnecting?


-James

 

Hill boys, since I am local, you can have my tank if you need it. I do not plan on using mine.
Mark

 

Fuel Tank Cleaning

They're dead easy to clean , get some Phosphoric Acid and dilute it two gallons water to one gallon acid , pour it in and toss in a handfull of smallish flat washers or some pea gravel and shake the beejebers out of it until you get tired and sore then shake it some more , remembering to invert it , tip it thisa-way and that so the mixture covers the whole inside .

Drain this mixture out into a large jug via a funnel lived with felt , pour the strained mixture back in and swish it 'round for a final rise , repeat until it drains out without any grit or dirt landing in the felt in the funnel , your tank is now as clean as it was when new and it also has a flash coating of Phosphorus to prevent future rusting .

This fluid can be saved and re used over and over to clean up rusty old ferrous metal and brass .

I remember the shut off valves screwing directly into the bottom of the tank .

 

Thanks Mark. I think ours will be ok. I'll give it the cleaning that Nate recommended below and see out it goes.

Thank you Nate. Is there a preference as to how to seal up the holes while doing this?

 

I just use brass pipe plugs .

 

Thanks Nate I caught a post you wrote many years ago. Seems you have answered this question a few times. Glad to see you never get tired of answering!

 

Well, apparently Phosphoric Acid is a little hard to come by here. I went to my local Ace and Home Deport. Where do I find said solution and are there any other "names" it may be sold as?

Would this work?

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/dairyland-milkstone-remover--acid-rinse?cm_vc=-10005

 

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-...zjJNQIvPmH-kzL7_UqUzCCcTLWSx97ipe0aAtkF8P8HAQ

 

Yeah, I was looking at that when I was in the store on my cell phone. Online only. I was hoping to pick something up locally.

 

Some of the kits come complete with the wash, cleaner , and liner.

My local carquest use to carry a kit from northern on the shelf.
http://www.northernautoparts.com/part/nf-rw125-9

You might need two of those kits to coat an AD gas tank?


Its admirable to try to save an old gas tank
But by the time your figure the cost of the chemicals , liner kit, time and chance of failure.

To me the rock auto spectra tank may be more costs effective, and be at your door in a few days.

Some the the other (overseas) new tanks have been know to have metric threads on the bottom and incorrect outlet routing.

 

FWIW I bought my new tank from Classic Parts, and it installed perfectly, with the proper outlet, and threads. Have been in use for 9 months, and no problems, (no leaks). I would not hesitate to use a tank from our host. Bill B.