Gotta start with a story...
In 1969, my dads pal had a sister in Kansas City, Mo. that bought a 1941 Mercury rag top BRAND NEW. One of the very last pre-war 'verts from Mercury. In about 1948 she side swiped the garage door crunching a rear fender and got scared so she quit driving. In 1969, my dad and his pal pack up with new tires and oil change stuff with plugs and wires and make the 500+ mile trip to KCMO from Chicago to swap the stuff and drive the car home. Toss in some fresh gas and away they go. Had a few cooling issues but other than that made the trip to Chicago. A lot of the trip was on Route 66 back then. My dad kept it for a while then sold it to my best friend's' dad. He kept it until he croaked and left it to his son, my pal. That car today is probably north of 100K. Its that nice.
After that trip I was always taught to try with what youve got first. So today out of haste and common sense, I ordered the cheap china tank. Hey for 72.00 if it lasts a year, Ill be OK with it. Right now the sump is empty at the credit union, and I cant drive it as is and I refuse to let it sit. Im buried alive, and past the point of no return. Next winter Ill be all caught up and able to continue funneling funds into this project. I still have a mortgage, my boat, the 72 XGS and a motorcycle. Theres a limit, and, I suppose a lesson to be learned here. I havent got to the lesson part, but I am studying for the exam LOL.
So today I syphoned 7-1/2 gallons of something petroleum based outa the tank. Had it on the bench in 30 minutes. UNBELIEVABLE! There wasnt that much sludge in there, but was pretty rusty, so no regrets on this one. The varnish was not too disturbed and had mostly attached itself to the sender and the gas sock. The fuel pump had sucked it to the point of collapse. One squeeze by fingers, and I had sticky orange stuff on my hands that wont come off. I doubt that much more than new gas passed through the system, especially the filter. A bullet dodged? I sure hope so.
Now Im gonna thank those that persisted in telling me to pull the tank! As I said, no regrets. The only real regret? No build sheet, but an absolutely pristine tank pad! Its supple enough to re-use
Im gonna rig up my test can to the fuel pump and run some fresh gas through that end to purge it, then change the in line filter. Next year Ill also upgrade the frame pipe to 3/8". It is in fact 5/16", but since Im not road racing this guy, thats going to suffice. Its almost time for some fun. While its down, Im installing a new temp gage and T stat. Also need to get some Right Stuff for the valve covers. That seems like the right approach however $$$. Thanks for putting up with me fellas! Bill
