I'm looking for a new gas tank for my 1918 Touring. The previous owner left 3/4 of gas in the tank while it sat for over 15 years. After that time, the gas evaporated and left a gum in the tank. Does anyone have a clean gas tank they are looking to sell? I'm also open to getting the tank cleaned. I've tried Snyders,Macs,and many other suppliers, but all tanks are on backorder for 6 to 8 weeks and I just can't see waiting 6 to 8 weeks for a tank. If anyone has any connections or tips for me, please pass them along. I'm in the Detroit area.

Thank you!

You can try to clean out the tank with paint thinner. If you don't want to try that, see if a local radiator shop can clean it out for you.

Acetone would likely work better than paint thinner. I would be concerned that a radiator shop cleaning might strip off the galvanized or terne plate finish.

Jonathon...to add to Ted's thoughts about the glavanize...what shape IS the galvanize that you can see in the tank? I fully understand not wanting to wait, but it might be worth it. Or, what about a sheet metal shop fabricating one for you? Might cost a bit more, but either way, possibly a new one would be worth the money and/or the wait. When it comes to old radiators and old gas tanks, my feeling is replace, replace, replace. I've done plenty of both! Waiting for a new brass rad for my '12 as I type!

I cleaned my gas tank by stuffing it in a cement mixer and let it turn all afternoon with some course sand in it. I set the handle horizontal and tied it there. You can stuff cardboard boxes or old pillows or whatever to hold it in place. The galvanize is zinc, I don't think zinc was used on the early tanks. All the early tanks I have seen were rusty inside and out not much zinc. A repo tank would be made of zinc plated sheet metal.

I have a few new tanks coming in this week, Bob
150.00 plus postage