37Packard120 Posted April 19, 2007 Share Posted April 19, 2007 hey guys....not looking for pitty, just need to rant....about 2 months ago my 120 stranded me on Main street and didn't want to start. I had it towed into my local mechanic who is very helpfull. He noticed the fuel filter was clogged up, so while he was at it, he noticed the carb had a bunch of gunk in it. We decided that since it was early Feb, lets rebuild the carb. With no markings on the Carb, I hunted and hunted to find the correct rebuild kit. After 4 kits, we got it. At the same time, my gas gauge wasn't working...so since the car was in the shop, we decided to put in a new sending unit. Once again, after looking and looking I found one, so once again life is good. Upon removal of the tank we realized that the tank had probably been restored before and looking into it, you could see all the old material peeling off of the inside of the tank. My mechanic said, we should get another tank. So....back to hunting...I found one that was "good used" and had it shipped out.....needless to say, it was in worse shape than the one I have. Now I am trying to find someone that can restore my old gas tank. I feel like a mouse on a wheel. Nothing seems to be going right for me on this project. And...on top of all of that, we are now going to miss our first Packard meet on the first weekend of May because of this tank debocle. Besides drinking heavily, any words of advice when the frustration factor is about to make you insane?Sorry to cry, and I know 70 year old cars come with 70 year old problems, I am just ready to stop the bleeding!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrbartlett Posted April 19, 2007 Share Posted April 19, 2007 Some of the big radiator shops can probably clean out your tank using a solution of caustic soda. You'll want to follow up with thorough rinsing with water, careful drying, and then an acid-based metal prep and application of a new internal coating (the latter two are available at paint suppliers). That is, unless you want to go with bare metal. Some people prefer that route. I just went through the entire process on a 30-gallon tank. Total cost was maybe $250 for everything.There is a process called RENU that entails cutting the ends out of the tank and sandblasting everything, then coating it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flackmaster Posted April 19, 2007 Share Posted April 19, 2007 Suggestions, heck yeah, this is a armchair quarterback forum, right? First, shame on you for stirring up all that original gunk at the bottom of your tank. Its probably a combination of MTBE and other wonderful chemical additives that dissolved the cork float and the sealing that was done during the last millenium. Further shame for letting all that new gas dissolve the diaphram in your NOS fuel pump and sending the goo up to the NOT wrong Carter carburetor. (and which was it anyway). Now that you are almost back to square one, albeit trembling in the corner in a fetal position with a drink in hand, intoxicated of fumes of raw gasoline (that's why you buy the ethanol blend, right?) the sideline counselors will likely suggest you go ahead and replace the entire fuel line while your at it. Sure, your family will enjoy going without the new roof this hurricane season, but what the heck, at least you can try to escape in your Packard. Fuel tank re-do's are a combination of fraternity hazing rituals with witches brews, unless of course, you mortgage your house (but never the garage) and send it far away for most of the spring driving season. But that's why you bought the "good" tank. Don't even tell me who sold you that gem. "Good" is a four letter word when it comes to used parts. But you know that now. So what is the secret prayer to the Packard overseer? Darned if I know, but it is no doubt in the chapter of patience in the restoration bible. I just felt compelled to humor you with a few words of encouragement, such that they are, for example why is it ever since I got my car painted, my carburetor is out of adjustment? Must be that they replaced the fender grommet and thereby messed up my fuel tank pressure. Seriously, go through the fuel system completely and when you are done, you will then be able to get back to adjusting the seat.See you in Frederick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Mitchell Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 The easiest and cleanest way to go is to put on a new tank. You can spend a lot of money on a used one and still have problems. I just had a tank made for a ground up restoration that we are doing and it is very nice. Send me an email and I will give you the phone number for the company that made it. packard12s@hotmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 55_Clipper Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 37Packard120, Don't take it too hard, take some joy that you're not the only one going through this. Take me for example, my generator gave me fits, I got that issue resolved and now my water pump is going out. At least you're not finding things that need to be fixed because the person that owned it before you hacked the repair <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. Sit back, have a beer, and enjoy the satisfaction that the fruits of your searching and labor allows you to ditinguish yourself from Ford and Chevy guys <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />Remember- things break on old cars <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom M Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 37Packard120,Hang in there you can be in worst shape like some of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Green Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I have used Renu for repairing a expensive tank that wasn't being reproduced. It has now been in service 3 years with zero problems. Looking into the tank through the cap opening it is still perfect. Not cheap but has a life time warranty. Click on link.http://www.gastankrenu.com/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37Packard120 Posted April 20, 2007 Author Share Posted April 20, 2007 Hey guys....sorry for the rant...but I enjoyed the comments and today is a new day. The biggest disappointment was not being able to make it up for the MAP meet in Fredrick with the car. But its still early in the season and hopefully she will be out of the shop by late May. I'm just itching because the weather is starting to break.Thanks againDon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I feel for you, Don. I took my front end off last spring to fix a radiator leak, and before I knew it, I was doing a complete front-end rebuild (practically), in addition to many other component rebuilds "while I was in there." Nine months later and in the middle of winter, it was finally finished. This month, I decided to have the rear springs re-arched and gas-tank sending unit fixed. Since I didn't want to have it torn apart for another nine months, I decided to have a shop do it. While they were in there, they found the rear brake cylinders completely frozen up, so I also had them pull the axles and make sure the bearings were okay (they were). I'm glad about deciding to have a shop do it, as it is already finished, but it sure is a lot more expensive to do it that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6219_Rules Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 hey Don... I wanted to interject that my '47 Cadillac would run like a champ until it was a Sunday evening or a holiday, or I was in the mountains where there is no cell phone reception to up and strand me.It's part of owning an old car, as you said. I laugh it off, and flag down an unwary soul for help. Something about seeing the hood up on an antique gets people to stop without a problem.Now that I have a MODERN car, I still get stranded occasionally (mostly due to this nasty ethanol blend that boils in the carb) in the dangdest places! And I still get people pulling over to help push the beast or ask if they can help. Something about an old car stirs the good in people. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />Excelsior! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 51Patty400 Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I had RENU done to my tank on the '51. was abour the same rpice and definately much cheaper than a new tank from Kanter.- Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernardi Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 zThe tank on my 55 400 was done by a local radiator shop for about 1/3 the RENU price. It doesn't carry a nationwide life time guarantee, but it seems to have been done right. The shop owner said to bring it back anytime if there is a problem. You're some distance from Pittsburgh, but I'll send the phone numbe of the shop if you wish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RO Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 After all the gas tank problems I have experienced, I'm a firm believer in a transparent filter mounted prior to the inlet to the fuel pump that is easy access for changeout. One two of my Packards I have them close to the gas tan k outlet. That way I can monitor the gas coming out of the untreated tanks and change the filter out as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RO Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 Remember that Max Merritt (at least a few years ago) I believe did the Gas Tank Renu and the tank I received has performed with no problems. MM alternative to Kanter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Green Posted April 23, 2007 Share Posted April 23, 2007 I too use a transparent filter under the tank. I used Renu on a Amphicar tank 3 years ago which also has a cleanable fine brass filter right at the outlet. I decided to clean the brass filter yesterday just to make sure the Renu'ed tank was still holding up inside. Absolutely had zero flaking, etc in the screen. I know a lot of people that have used the sealer kits to do their own tanks and usually within a few years they have flaking problems. Many times they didn't prep the tank correctly or used a cheap product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitch Posted April 23, 2007 Share Posted April 23, 2007 I too am for the Renu process. The guarantee is a critical factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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