Fuel Tank De-Rusting Method

I did a search on fuel tank cleaning and learned some neat stuff, but I was getting ready to drop the fuel sensor in the botton of my tank a 83 VF750F. I purchased a new o-ring. Is this a good or bad idea. I have Marine Clean, Evapo-Rust and Rust Bandit for the job. I need a way to remove the remaining gas then the above chemicals. If I remove the sensor and the petcock that should allow a very fast draining process. Do I need to order any gaskets or o-rings for the petcock removal.
TIA

 

Not sure about the Petcock gasket, I would assume there is one in there. I just pulled my tank and cleaned out the rust inside it last weekend. There is only one O-ring gasket as you mentioned and I was able to clean out my tank by only removing that fuel guage float. The Petcock looked too recessed to be a viable option to me.

 

Petcock

Hi Roughshod, thanks for the hit. I am affraid that the marine clean or the evapo-rust will swell or eat the oblong o-ring at the petcock. What did you use to clean the tank?

 

There is an O-ring behind the petcock and another under the level sensor. That is it.

If its just surface rust / varnish, I'd put a new filter ahead of the pump and another new one after the pump, and just go with it. The varnish will slowly dissipate.
If its bad, chunky, flaky, gonna eat thru your tank rust, I'd treat the tank w/ POR-15 after a good cleaning.

A good cleaning can be done lots of ways, from shaking pea rock around in it with some kerosene, or a piece of bicycle chain, or I've even heard of guys wrapping their tanks in carpet and bubble wrap, wedging them into an old dryer (no heat) with some packing material (so they can tumble around) and spinning them for hours w/ pea rock etc. Spin, not TUMBLE - the tank would obviously be destroyed if it wasn't tight in the dryer.

I just did a tank w/ some pea rock. It's a bastard to get it all out.