What's that in my fuel tank?

[Hoegenauer]

85 project I just bought - sat up for 2+ years.

I have a fuel delivery problem (no fuel at all). Was looking at pump, bought new, and was replacing. Took old pump off expecting a steady stream of fuel and a rush to put new pump on....but nothing but a very slow drip. No fuel out of tank?

I took the remaining 4" of hose off of the tank outlet and put about 5"-6" of a plastic cable tie in the tank. The plastic cable tie does not go in freely and stops entirely at about 5"-6" seeming to bottom out against something? When I pull the cable tie out it is covered by what appears to be rusty fuel.

Yes there is fuel in the tank.

Does anyone know the anatomy of a fuel tank?

[pozee]

Sounds like you're hitting the mesh screen. Did you remove the fitting? Probably not, based on what you wrote.

Do yourself a favor. Remove the tank. Get it cleaned and sealed if necessary. No point in trying to get around it.

At the very least, remove the sender and take a look in there. Should give you an idea as to what's going on. I bet there's a bunch of gunk clogging up the mesh screen.

Watch out for all that gas gushing out suddenly.

[Gunter]

pozee +1
Sounds like the tank was not full when the car was stored.
A dirty tank will give you continuous problems by damaging the pump, clogg the lines and filter, etc.............
After the tank is cleaned, blow out the lines from the front to the rear.

[Tsunamiboy]

Having the tank cleaned and sealed is the ticket. It is quite a job to do it right and will cost a few bucks. Automotion sells new tanks for a little more than you can have yours reconditioned.

the tank has bafolds to keep the gas from sloshing. The shop that cleaned mine cut the tank open to make sure the sealer coated the bafolds as well. I had the option of removing the bafolds but decided "no way". Also make sure your tank vent is clear. a restricted vent can cause all kinds of problem.

By the way, to remove the bottom plug use the top end of a spark plug socket and insert a extention into the buisness end of the socket and use a ratchet.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Bafolds? Baffles. Or I'm baffled.

[Hoegenauer]

Thanks guys. It's not what I wanted to hear, but I am sure it is what I need to do.

[Mr9146]

You could just find a good used tank, that way you could fix it fast and then have a spare.

[Tsunamiboy]

Steve,
Being a published author seems to have granted you the title of “The Pelican Spelling laureate”

[Gunter]

Originally Posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson

Bafolds? Baffles. Or I'm baffled.

All in good fun.

Goes along with Poosha, Porsh, Porch, Fuches (Fuchias?) Breakspads and............................

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Well, some people take wheels seriously, some people take spelling seriously...

[RWebb]

Misspelling and incorrect syntax can render communication impossible and prevent a correct answer to a question.

Naturally a few typos are no big deal and we want to help non-native English speakers as much as possible, but people who are too lazy to spell (or check the search engine) probably don't deserve help.

[jwernquist]

jeeez steve's at it again! Fuch / Fuchs / Baffle / bafolds - Nobody is safe - We must stand together and pronounce words correctly, or Steve might be lurking around that dark corner.. ready to strike with his Dictionary / Thesaurus and other proper grammar material in hand...

ARGGGG RUN!

What those guys said, take it out and get it cleaned, only way to avoid a slew of problems down the road!

JW

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Hey, can't hurt to get it right...unless you just don't care.

[billybek]

I love spell check!!!

[rs6er]

Originally Posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson

Bafolds? Baffles. Or I'm baffled.

Steve—
You must wince a lot on this forum. I try to keep it to myself.

[dshepp806]

I'm baffled ****less.....

Best,