Red gas

[ScotMcLean]

So I'm playing with my parts car tonight and decide to remove the gas tank. I lift the edge 1mm w a flat screwdriver, just to guage how full it is and whoosh, the rubber hose at the base splits and there is gas all over the place. Buckets (hauled away almost 9 gallons) and rags and awhile later we clean up and I keep thinking this red gas smells horrible. I pulled the fuel sender - red - as in jelly jam red - up to apparently the "gas line" and then the standard aluminum color. After I got the tank out I found the rubber line was dried, cracked, and waiting like time bomb.

What makes a gas turn red? Was it some kind of additive for storage? The car hasn't run in 2 years or so. There is sand in the bottom of the tank. Any ideas for cleaning it out besides a hose and a vacuum?

Besides the mess I made, this may make a fun thread. What's the biggest/worst mistake/accident have you've made while working on your P-car?

[Ads912]

Hey Scot,
I was at the parts shop today looking for fuel stabilizer for a car that is stored. Guess what color STP fuel stabilizer is? It is RED, probably the same stuff in your tank.
Regarding your other question about a mistake while working on my P-car....A few weeks ago I removed the engine from my 68 912. After removing the nuts and bolts on the rear engine mount and the transmission, with the engine on a jack, I pulled the engine back away from the transmission, balancing it on the jack. I could not pull the engine back far enough to clear the transmission shaft. Something was caught on the left hand side...I had forgotten to disconnect the throttle linkage from the engine. I was by myself in my garage with the engine balanced on the jack, could not pull the engine back or lower it. After struggling with the linkage with one hand and balancing the engine with the other, I popped the linkage off and was able to lower the engine. I learned the hard way not to remove or install heavy parts without a second person to help.
Another mistake: In my foolish days, I had a Fiat fall off a jack and hit the floor. After that, I always double-up with jack stands if I am getting under a car. (Yeah, I know, I was also foolish to own a Fiat).

[ScotMcLean]

So that's what it was - smelled horrible. I have since (of course) cleaned up the garage - baking soda did the trick. I've pulled it, let it sit in the hot Arizona sun for a couple weeks, flushed it several times, and found flakes of what I guess to be the coating or liner. The tank looks solid so now I plan to rinse again, dry again, and then start the POR15 tank sealer process. Luckily it is so dry here that clothes on the line dry in an hour, so the tank should be bone dry and seal well.

I'll be pulling the engine like you soon, perhaps July, and have taken off the generator+fan, gas lines, etc. but the fan shroud doesn't seem to have enough clearance to come out first.

Did you take it out when you lowered the engine a couple inches, or did the engine with shroud come out intact?

I will refrain from Fiat jokes

Thxs for the reply.

[josh912]

Just leave the fan shroud on when you take the engine out. Jack the car up really high, and DON'T forget to use jack stands. The engine, in its entirety, should fit under the car. Also the easiest way to take the engine out is with the transmission still linked to it. Good luck with your fuel tank!

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Joshua Harrison
1968 912 Coupe

[Ads912]

Yes, I left the fan shroud on as well. I had to remove the chrome bumpers and rear license plate panel. Under the hood, the large piece of engine sheet metal has to come off and it helps if you can get the muffler off, j-pipes can stay on. This was the second time it has been out in a year. The first time was to replace the clutch. I recently purchased a big-bore kit, Bursch exhaust and a CB Performance Weber Carb 'upgrade kit'. Has any body else tried this kit?? www.cbperformance.com.
Anyway, to remove the engine alone looked easier to me so I tried it and it was OK. I have heard that taking the trani out with the engine is easier, but I didn't want to fool with the axles, shifter and clutch cable mechanisms. If you are leaving the transmission in, be sure to support it when you remove the engine.
I am hoping that my upgrades will help me with the infestation of pesky H*nda Civics that want to race me with their 10" diameter tail-pipes from every red light in town . I just let them go. Sorry to ramble.

[ScotMcLean]

Thanks - I see how a lot the parts come out, and just got the muffler off - stock Leistritz with good sound. I have heard it is easier to pull it all out at once, but never having tried it, I can certainly see how taking one step at a time would work. Thanks everyone for the input on the clearance question.

I run stock Solex's w/o much problem, but know eventually they will die and have Weber 40 with bolt-on manifolds rady + the NPR 86mm's like you. I'm waiting for the
day where the leaks get too bad and it is time to overhaul and upgrade.

Here's a related question - how many bolts is a 67 CV joint supposed to have? 4 or 6? How difficult is it to interchange between a 67 and 69?

I've read that an 86mm set-up that is not raced, doesn't use a racing cam, etc. can live quite a long time. I don't worry about the Honda's - They can't keep up on the on ramps

[jeff k]

Hello, Whereabouts are you in AZ? I lve in chandler and I would love to see your car and show ya m7 '66 sometime...
jeff@voiceconnection.com

[jeff k]

Worst accident: I was sure the trans would hold the engine in place somewhat horizontal-like while I took off the two rear engine mounting bolts. With my kid and wife watching me ratchet away, the nut finally popped and the see-saw motor slammed down hard on the muffler (thankfully not my foot!) They laughed but I was "in shock" and was lucky there was no lasting damage other than to my ego! Later they were amazed when I installed my type 4 914 motor in to the 912 by myself!

[josh912]

Jeff, you ARE rebuilding the 912 motor, aren't you????????????????

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Joshua Harrison
1968 912 Coupe

[jeff k]

Oh yes Josh, I will rebuild it. It was in really nice shape! The car I have is pretty tired bodywise so I hope to put the engine in a nice body later. I have many hobbies so this is a lonnnngngg project, but I can live with that.