1973 911 T Maine Barn Find Original Owner

[DesmoSD]

Awesome find! Congratulations!

[Chickenstrips]

Here's what was in my 911T after a prolonged "nap". The in tank filter was completely obliterated with rust flakes and the fuel pump stopped working because of the increased load. I found "EvapoRust" to be useful, but I wish that I had bought a new tank at the time.
FredAttachment 507907

Hi Fred, I have a similar iron oxide collection,



I made a small shovel with a beer can and really long screw driver. Then 5 gallons of Metal Rescue, which has worked fabulously for me on motorcycle gas tanks, but it was 45 degrees here which was not enough for the chelation reaction to process to fire up, so I hung it 6 inches off the work bench with a space heater underneath it and a moving blanket (fumes already evacuated) over it and 6 hours at 80 degrees melted most of the rust. But the rest was embedded in a layer of shellac that would peel as a film. So now it's getting a 2 gallon acetone bath. Then another fresh 5 gallons of Metal Rescue. It may take me a month but I am committed to preserving the original tank - I think.

[Chickenstrips]

Also I am a little stumped as to why my 1973.5 tank looks different from parts fiche. There is no banjo bolt, there are just two male tubes from the tank over which two tubes are hose clamped, and I don't think I have one of those sock looking sleeves, unless it is behind the bolt right next to those two tubes for outflow and return, which I just figured was a drain plug.

[RSTarga]

Does the tank have a swirl pot?

[Chickenstrips]

Does the tank have a swirl pot?

Yes it has swirlpot, and these attachment points for the lines

[Gumby]

73.5 gas tank was only made for 6 months for the first generation of the CIS injection system with a full size spare tire.
after the 74 tanks have larger capacity and the swirl pot ( 21 gallons ) but a space saver spare.
The 73.5 gas tank is well worth saving, good work!

[Chickenstrips]

Thanks - great info on this forum! So I am making progress on tank cleaning, but there was still a layer that Metal Rescue and Acetone and then another 5 gallonns of fresh Metal Rescue had not disolved so decided I needed mechanical assistance. I created a variation on the chain / bolts idea that works way faster. Attached 3’ of 1/16ths steel rod to drill bit with a 4” bend at the end with a foot of small chain and it worked awesomely. Even reaches over the baffle on the swirl pot side. Went slow near the swirl pot to not crack it. Like a gas tank milk shake blender! I am getting close to success.

[friendlyfred]

Great!
That's a wonderful idea with the "milk shake blender'. Actually I pressure washed my tank as a first and last procedure. I understand that the Enzyme solution is re-useable. I was amazed how much rust I was able to clean out after the Rust Desolver/acetone/vinegar rinse(s). Now nothing but aviation gas goes into the tank. And renewed gas lines and filters. Sorry, I am not familiar with the MFI tank, but they must have an in-tank filter as well as they did in my carby version.
Congratulations on your great score!!
Fred Johnson,
Wakefield, RI

[Chickenstrips]

Great!
That's a wonderful idea with the "milk shake blender'. Actually I pressure washed my tank as a first and last procedure. I understand that the Enzyme solution is re-useable. I was amazed how much rust I was able to clean out after the Rust Desolver/acetone/vinegar rinse(s). Now nothing but aviation gas goes into the tank. And renewed gas lines and filters. Sorry, I am not familiar with the MFI tank, but they must have an in-tank filter as well as they did in my carby version.
Congratulations on your great score!!
Fred Johnson,
Wakefield, RI

Is it easy to replace fuel lines? My fuel lines running to and from the tank look clean, but it was starting to seem like a good idea to replace them all.

[Chickenstrips]

I am declaring victory after multiple cycles of Mechanical removal, Metal Rescue,Acetone, 3/8# Hose attached to shop vac. Probably 20 hours of labor, and $200 of chemicals, but it's original and clean. Also sanded a few surface rust spots, primed and undercoated the bottom.