What is the proper way of cleaning/flushing the stock gas tank on my '68 el Camino? I dropped the tank for some cleaning on the car and it sounds like there are rocks or something rattling around in there.... I looked inside (through the sending unit hole) and all I could see looked shiny and clean. Should I just take it to a radiator shop and have it flushed or can I do it better myself? Thanks!

A radiator shop will boil it out and pressure test it. And it shouldn't cost much. About $30.00 - $40.00

Best way is to take it to a radiator shop-have them test everything. F85 will be used in gasoline-might check out a plastic tank. F85 eats metal and destroys rubber hoses. Purchase alcohol gas lines at boat stores. Government has their head up there A..

When I was about 6 yrs old... I hate to admit that filled my Dads 54 Chevy fuel tank with ROCKS. Thats when I also did my first paint job!!! Thats How he found out it was me that put the rocks in the tank. Kind of a no brainer to him! I really thought I was getting away with something. Man was he Pi**ed.

Rocks in my tank!!!!

You're lucky, I've got rocks in my head :)

I wouldn't worry too much about it myself, they can't get through the strainer.

You're lucky, I've got rocks in my head :)

I wouldn't worry too much about it myself, they can't get through the strainer.

You're probably right, but I hate not to get them out since I've got the tank removed anyway.... Maybe I can wait until I upgrade to a 1/2" pickup and fuel line...

when i restored my 68 i took the tank down and it sounded like rocks inside. so i took out the sender and fished them out, turned out they were pieces of lead about the size of a dime only about an 1/8 of an inch thick. so i threw them back in. figured it must be a slow release lead additive. octane boost.

F-85? They're putting old Oldsmobiles in the gasoline supply?

If you already have the tank out then by all means bring it to a radiator shop and have them clean and pressure test it. Its money well spent and the perfect time for it.

When I was a kid my dads Buick wagon kept dying at a quarter tank. Find out that some little kids in the neighbor hood were pouring gravel in there. Had 1/4 tank of gravel with the float sitting on top of the gravel.

When I was a kid my dads Buick wagon kept dying at a quarter tank. Find out that some little kids in the neighbor hood were pouring gravel in there. Had 1/4 tank of gravel with the float sitting on top of the gravel.

That makes me feel a little better as I thought I was the only one that would do something that stupid!

When i was a kid they would put in ping pong balls. When driving they clog the pickup and it stalls. wait a second and it starts again until it happens again, and again, and again. Ofcourse i never indulged in such a practice.:rolleyes: :D

My 70 Olds also had the lead "pebbles" in the tank

Now I know why they invented the schnauzer hole on new car gas tank filler necks. :p

The radiator shops here also will coat the inside of the tanks so they never rust. I've been gettin' em to do it even when I put a new tank in a car. Unfortunately the new tanks don't seem to last nearly as long as the originals.

Couldn't you just turn tank upside down so filler neck is toward ground and shake em out? You'd think since they were put in through that hole that they would come back out the same way!

Just a thought...

when i restored my 68 i took the tank down and it sounded like rocks inside. so i took out the sender and fished them out, turned out they were pieces of lead about the size of a dime only about an 1/8 of an inch thick. so i threw them back in. figured it must be a slow release lead additive. octane boost.

Solder drips look a lot like lead.

You should leave them in there. They are factory original and part of the fuel adjitator system. Only availible from 68-70. Very rare and undesirable!!!

Ok need to let my imagination rest now.