Fuel Tank Questions '85 Pininfarina

[hobonamy]

I am in the process of getting my '85 up and running. It has been sitting for a number of years and I finally made time to get started. I pulled the fuel sending unit to remove the fuel and get a peek at the tank's condition. Sucked about 5-6gal out of tank. Fuel smelled like varnish....what I expected, but not what I wanted. I have taken some pictures of the tank and would like the group's opinions regarding the need pull the tank and have it cleaned. Thanks in advance for your help.

looking at fuel sending unit hole




Just below fuel sending unit




Looking further aft on passenger side




Drivers side looking aft

[vandor]

It does not look horribly bad, but it would be good to have that rust sealed, so it does not get any worse and it does not get into the fuel. There are some shops that can clean tanks and the coat the inside.

[BEEK]

doesnt the efi tank have an internal screen? would it not plug up if coated? lancias have an internal screen and plug up on their own. i have never had a spider tank do this, but i have never coated a efi tank, only carburated ones

[spider2081]

I have looked into 3 tanks from 80/81 FI cars and none of them had screens on the end of the pick up tube. That doesn't mean they had not disintegrated over time. I used a fiber optic bore scope.

[vandor]

I've had several EFI tanks coated in the past and never had any trouble.

[hobonamy]

Thanks for the prompt replies. I will look at getting the tank cleaned and sealed. Now...base on what you have seen, do you think I will need to do anything special to the fuel lines and/ or injectors?

[vandor]

No way to know on the metal fuel lines. Replace all the rubber hoses.
The injectors will likely be ok, but at this age it's a good idea to have the professionally checked and cleaned.

[hobonamy]

Csaba, Thanks. Appreciate your feedback. Bob

[vandor]

If you have an air compressor you can blow through the metal lines when you are replacing the rubber hoses to get any loose stuff out.