Technical Mice In Model A Gas Tank

I have a 1929 fuel tank that's in really good condition but it is filled with mice bedding.... like from bottom to top. Any ideas on what to do? Cut the tank? Thanks for your help

 

Vacuum??

 

vacuum, then evaporust with some bb's dumped in to knock the crud loose, shake-rattle and roll, rinse, dry, install

 

I vacuumed and flushed it with water. Nothing worked

 

The mice bedding has sticks woven all through it

 

Use a coat hanger with a hook bent on the end to drag out the bigger stuff (branches, twigs) and whatever else you can get out, then try the vacuum. Don't think you should cut the tank - would be the last thing I'd try if all else fails.

 

Vacuum sounds like a good idea, but the issue I see is that there are two baffles that run front to back. Perhaps if you put air into the fuel outlet on the passenger side, to stir the stuff up. Unless you get it all out it will be a problem. Be careful of all the mouse crap it can be a health hazard wear a respirator!

 

I should have asked in my first post, did you remove the spark arrestor from the fill hole?

 

Mouse piss is corrosive, if they were in there long there are probably some bad rust pits.

 

What they said! The tank might look good from the outside, but decades of mouse urine will have done a number on the inside.

Use some sort of respirator also. What you want to be afraid of is Hantavirus, breathing dust from the nesting material & droppings is big time no go.
-Dave

 

Way back when took mind to radiator shop and had it vatted, probably want happen in todays time

 

Since very competent advice has already been posted, I would ad - in today's politically sensitive environment - in order not to run afoul of current regulations, be sure to call the SPCA, have them send out a Mouse representative and post an Eviction order in a conspicuous location.

 

WTF ?????????

 

Those Model A gas tanks have baffles all over the place inside. Hide another gas tank somewhere else.

Sent from my SM-T350 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Few years ago while taking a Y-Block apart I found an oil soaked mouse carcass in the pan. I didn't call the federales. Please don't tell on me!
-Dave

 

Be sure to call a local Haz-Mat specialist and have them dispose of the toxic mouse turds

 

Mice in the gas tank only work if you are running a mouse motor. Problems for all other engines.

 

..... Or you get yourself a cat with an AK....

 

If you are building a hot rod you probably only need the top and firewall portions. Rat pee has probably given the tank dozens of pin holes which will be seen once the tank is stripped of paint, unless the mice/rats are only very recent occupants. The area under the tank cover is usually filled with wiring and instruments. In the sixties it often had swing pedals with a firewall mounted master cylinder. If you are not doing a restoration you might want a larger tank.

 

Burn it out, then vacuum out the ashes.

 

I totally agree, probably in pretty bad shape. HRP

 

You don't mention if the tank is in the cowl or off the car. If you have someone capable of TIG welding the tank can be cut. This is what I did. There are two baffles as I originally stated, both front to back. Under the tank you can see the spot welds that hold the baffles in. I cut a 3"x12" access hole just forward of the closest to the firewall spot weld using a thin zip cut wheel, across the front edge of the tank where it curves up. This will give you clear access to the interior of the tank. Have the insides of the tank media blasted and have the access holes TIG welded up. Then I used Bill Hirsch gas tank sealer, it's compatible with todays gasoline. If someone can walk a computer illiterate person, (me) how to post pictures I can show you what I did.

 

The mouse turds will act as stop leak, right?

Dave

 

The tank is off the car. I'm just wondering if I should go through the trouble of cutting and welding or just put a new tank. I really like how easy the gravity system works in the model A and I'm not sure how to run any other kind of gas tank

 

...Maybe this will work...

This hobby is not without its challenges...
I suppose it's a good candidate for the acid or boiling method used to clean engine blocks and things...
or the one they use to strip car bodies of rust and things...actually gas tank repair companies may have specialty tanks for clearing tanks for repair...of course like everything there is a cost...


This actually cleared up 2 problems the Rodents and the seizing in the block...
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1940-desoto-coupe-project.1130573/

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I understand your wanting a new tank, but the reason I repaired my tank is that after looking at about 6 or 8 tanks at Hershey all had interior rust issues. I had an inspection mirror and flashlight and all were crap, some you could actually hear stuff rolling around inside. I know what I have now.

 

No longer have a Model A but never was a fan of the gas tank up front in my lap and having to always make sure the gas valve was shot off when it was parked. It's your car, your decision.

 

After this pour in a mix of whatever liquid you choose including a hand full of deck screws then shake, shake,shake.
Repeat if necessary.
After emptying and drying inspect for pin holes. Weld holes closed or replace.

 

Before any cutting and welding, please research the correct procedures in relation to welding on used gas tanks.

 

This is the repair of the tank in my '29 that second shot is a handful of about a gallon of crap that I scooped out. I know it's a lot of work but there aren't too many good '29 tanks out there. After I TIG welded it and coated it it perfectly clean and worry free.