IFDPete

Thanks Robert - That is if I can get the banjo gas line fitting free. It has varnish as well. You can see it on the fitting in the picture. Pete

Hello to All - I am new to the Forum and PreWar Cars. I recently acquired an well preserved 1921 Buick Model 46 4 Pass. Coupe with original interior from an estate. Car sat in an unheated garage since the late 1980s. Engine was seized and I took off the valve rockers, soaked the cylinders in 50/50 acetone/ATF mix for a week and the cylinders freed up pretty easily. Water pump / Starter-Gen shaft turns freely as well. Oil drained from pan and still working on the stuck valves. Will drop oil pan to clean sludge. There is some old gas in the tank as there are pinhole leaks from the side of the tank. The gas cap is on the tank tight and I cannot turn it or get a good hammer swing to knock at it because of the spare tire mount. I opened the drain plug from the bottom center of the tank and nothing came out. The gas must be below the female threaded fitting that is in the tank. I will have to drop the tank and work on it off of the car. So now on to my question....up at the engine, I can see that the gasoline has turned to a black varnish / shellac at the banjo fitting of the gravity tank, at the threaded gas line nut under the gravity tank, at the gravity tank shut off valve, and you can see it on the carburetor fuel bowl cover. I am guessing the varnish has also seeped up the gas tank to the banjo fitting there and the threads of the gas cap. Nothing that is threaded will move because of this hard black varnish. My question is what would you use to break this bonded black gasoline varnish. I am reading on the internet different things...lacquer thinner, penetrating oil, Acetone ATF mix, or denatured alcohol. What do you guys think would do it? I want to remove the carburetor / gravity tank / gas tank for clean up. Also - I have attached some car pictures of this great find. Enjoy - Pete Jolly - Indiana