Have about 6-8 gallons of real old gas with ethanol in it, and don’t want to try and start the new set up with ****py fuel. So what is the best way to get it out of the tank without causing some sort of disaster?
Just siphon it out into a gas can. Use hose with or without a siphon pump. It just depends on your love of the taste of gas.
Many tanks of that period have a drain plug... I would bet that some of what's in there is semi-solid and vulcanized to the tank. After first draining, I'd put in some acetone (Paint department in gallons, Home Depot) and slosh with that. A good way if you can is to give the car a drive with engine running on a temporary tank, like a Moon tank or mower tank with a hose to pump. That way car movement will help slosh solvent around in tank. You'll never get everything out of an old tank, so build in a filter that is big and easy to drain and clean...you'll be getting stuff for quite a while.
If its real bad, after you get it out, take it to a radiator shop and have them boil it out. $120.00 +/-, or so. Then you'll know if the rust was holding hands or if you have a decent tank. THEN, take a good look at your hard fuel line going forward. I let the Galaxie sit and my reward is replacing the whole fuel line. Not really a big deal, just another thing.
I can't tell you how many times I've seen people siphon gas by ****ing on a hose and ending up with a mouth full of potentially cancer causing chemicals. I've read it here may times as well. THAT AIN'T THE WAY YOU SIPHON GAS! The proper way is to BLOW on the hose. Yep, you read that right. It's not a joke. #1 Stick the hose in the tank. #2 Verify that the hose is down in the gas by blowing on the hose and listen for bubbling. #3 Wrap a rag, or plastic wrap, tightly around the hose where it enters the filler to seal air. #4 Take a giant breath of air and BLOW into the hose. #5 As soon as you are almost out of breath, quickly lower the end of your hose to the container. The air you used to PRESSURIZE the tank, when you BLEW into it, will push the gas up the hose and over the top to the lower end.
As a retired firefighter I suggest NOT doing it in your garage, push the car outside, gas fumes can be ignited any number of ways. I would also use a hand type syphon pump to avoid getting gas in your mouth and over your clothing. You can get them in any hardware store for only a few bucks. Keep a fire extinguisher close by. By the way what are you going to do with 6 to 8 gallons of bad gas.
Do NOT let that nasty stuff get on your lawn. I had some that was so nasty that the car stunk 20 feet away. It spilled onto my back yard when removing the gas and nothing would grow in that spot for many years. I don't know where you will dispose of it.
Don't want to comment about what you do with the stuff; but once it's mostly out remove the tank and take it to the best carwash in town. Blast it with hot soapy water mostly inside. It will get so hot the tank skin will steam. Worked on my 50.
Never taste gas again. These are very slick, I wouldn't be without one. http://lion.net.au/product/br***-jiggler-syphon-pump-2/
To get rid of bad gas: Pour gasoline into a metal bucket to about the 1/3 mark. Add a rag from bottom to just over the edge Fill with sand. Now you have a slow burning Tiki torch for your back yard. Way back yard. I only say "way back" because under some weather conditions fumes can creep across the ground and end up under your shed, garage door or whatever. Much better to burn it than dump it somewhere.
You can buy a battery pump at Wally World for a few bucks;hose clamp extensions tube on it as needed to get to the bottom The old gas is a great weed killer or so I'm told. Ya thats it weedkiller.
Pour it on the ground and drink it later when it gets into the water table. Better to burn it since it would have been burned anyway.
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