TR4/4A Fuel tank options

[KansasWhirl]

Hi, I'm beginning the process of bringing an old TR4 back to life that has been sitting twenty years. The tank had a little of what used to be gasoline left in it. I siphoned it out and now I'm ready to remove the tank. I don't want to deal with the chemical disposal so doing it at home isn't an option so which of the following do you guys think is the best option-

1. Take it to a radiator shop to have it cleaned and sealed with a rough estimate of $125 if it isn't in too bad of shape
2. Buy a new one

The shop said the sealer is permanent and doesn't dissolve or come loose. Is that a good option? I'd prefer to keep it original but I also want to be sure it is a safe and doesn't end up clogging lines and carbs.

Thanks in advance!
Doug

 

[JohnB]

Doug,

I'm in the process of rebuilding a '59 Peerless. (English car that ran all TR3 running gear) The tanks (2) in it had also not been touched for 20+\- years and had a lot of the crud in them that you found. When I pulled the tanks I discovered a lot of loose rust flakes in both. The outside of the tanks seemed sound but all that garbage worried me. So I decided to get new tanks made, they only made around 300 Peerless back then, so finding new or old tanks to buy was impossible.

Anyway, good thing I didn't go the "clean out the tank and seal it" route. When the fabricator opened up the tanks to make new patterns we couldn't believe what we found.
The baffles were almost totally rusted away and the inside surfaces were very severely pitted.

If you do consider repairing your tank, make very certain it is really sound enough to do so. Mine were not. Looked great on the outside, but inside was a disaster. By the way I went SS for the new ones. Wasn't that much more than mild steel.

John

 

[charleyf]

Here is a similar story. While rebuilding a TR6 there was a lot of scale in the tank . It was pulled and taken to get it cleaned out. Got it back and found an old patch that was now leaking-- junk. But I have used an old TR4 tank that had a lot of varnish type material sitting in it. Still works great.
Charley

 

[KansasWhirl]

Thanks guys, very good information.
Doug

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Just refreshed a 250 that had been on blocks since 1982. Gas tank looked new on outside. There was at least 4" of varnish in tank. Vic Brit had the gas tank kit for $300. Quick and easy, done.
Marv