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Looking to refurbish the gas tank for my 914. There are many DIY ways of cleaning out a tank (roll around a chain, nuts, bolts, etc. inside the tank), but I think I am going to go the radiator shop route. Have them boil it out and then I may coat the inside with a sealant and paint the outside myself.

Has anyone done this? Any recommendations on local (Triangle area) shops that will do this?

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

Bump

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

I used the chain and coating method on an old tank about 15 years ago. I still have the old truck and have had no problems with gas.
If I remember correctly, after I used the chain, I used some type of acid to treat the tank. Then, I washed it out. I had to let it dry before pouring in a thick yellow liquid.
It was kind of a pain. If a new gas tank was available and reasonably priced, I'd go that route.
I hope this helps.

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Rubbin' is Racin'

When I was in college, I came back to Raleigh during the summers and a couple of years I worked for an auto repair shop. I seem to remember making a few runs to get radiators dipped on South Saunders Street. I can't remember for sure if this is the place we used....but maybe give it a try?

Johnny's Radiator Shop, 919-834-4666, 1048 S Saunders St, Raleigh, NC, 27603

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Stephen Westerfield
2009 Infiniti M35 | 2007 Honda Fit Sport | 2005 Ford Mustang GT |2000 GMC Sierra |1992 Acura Integra LS | Super Westerfield Bros Acura Integra

Stephen thanks for the tip. I will give them a call.

Walter, apparently many people are happy with the method you mentioned. There are even kits that include the cleaning chemicals, acids and coating (minus chain, nuts, etc.). But I also keep hearing that it's a lot of work for something that is low cost if you have it done by a radiator shop. I am all about DIY, but if I can have someone else do it for less money...

Regarding new tanks. I would agree that is probably best route. My tank is in good shape, but I would like to coat the interior and need to repaint the exterior (for those that don't know the fuel tank in a 914 is located in the front trunk). I don't think new 914 tanks are available.

I will report back here what I find out.

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

The generic name for the sealant is gas tank slushing compound. It is available online as well as at private aircraft maintainance supplier (FAA requires sealing aircraft fuel tanks used for gasoline, might check with Todd) and some motorcylce shops especially the ones that deal with choppers.
Cleaning the tank is not that difficult, especially one that has been in continuous use as there isn't likely to be any significant rusting. As you described, throw in a handful of large nuts a cup of Tide laundry detergent or Simple Green and 1/2 gal of water. Shake it around for a while (or give a couple of the neighborhood kids $5 each to do it for you, If you must DIY, try bungieing it into a wheelbarrow or hanging it from a swing frame or even a tree limb to make it easier to rock and roll). Dump it out and rinse with HOT water. Repeat until the rinse comes out clean (likely no more than once or twice needed) Pour in a quart of denatured alchohol, slosh around to absorb any remaining water, dump out and set the tank in the sun to dry for 1/2 hr or so before using the slushing compound.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.