Before I treat it like a Ford, I have a question

[Jrscobra]

Easiest way to remove fuel tank and clean out the gunk? Does it come out from luggage compartment or from underneath? Can it be cleaned properly while installed in the car?

[aj81spider]

It comes out via the trunk. There is a hole in the trunk floor and the tank has a lip that seats on top of that hole. It's then bolted down.

It's pretty straightforward to get out, with a couple of PITA elements. One of those (the filler hose) you've already done.

[klweimer]

And it will probably be really rusty inside...

[81SPIDERMATT]

i think that there may be baffles in the tank also which I have heard makes cleaning harder .... new tank is around 200 bucks and many think that a new tank is worth the hassle of cleaning the old one

[Jrscobra]

My goal on this unit is to keep costs as low as possible.
I wont disclose yet what I paid for this car, but when I do, I think I'll make everyone here drop their jaws.
This guy wanted it gone, and I got a deal!!

So, this cars name is Freeat. My goal is to do as much as I can with original parts. I'll try cleaning the tank first before I spend the dough. I guess I'll have to get into the fuel lines next and check for other rotting rubber hoses.

Im literally dreaming about working on this car. I've never done a foreign car before, and this one is going to be a learning experience.
Past projects include mostly Mustangs.

[baltobernie]

Once you have the tank removed from the car, you can take it to a shop that specializes in cleaning these, as well as heater cores and radiators. Depending on where you live, this can be an easy lunchtime drive, or an overnite trip.

You can also clean and seal it yourself, with a kit such as this: http://www.por15.com/POR-15-Fuel-Tank-R ... _p_62.html The tank is baffled, so you can't really tell if you've done a complete job. I used this product on my tank 8 years ago, and so far, no problems.

If you're going to flip the car, you can simply drain the old crud and slosh some new gas around until it looks "clean". But if you're keeping the car, do it right and be done with it. Some of the most frequent posts here relate to problems associated with debris in the fuel system.

Before new tanks were available aftermarket, you didn't have a choice. Now that we do, $200 is actually pretty reasonable when you consider the (only) two alternatives.

[BwBrown]

Get a gallon or two of EVAPORUST at any auto parts store. Perfectly safe, dump it in, slosh it around, let it soak, repeat (the sloshing) a couple times over a couple days - will NOT hurt metal.
Dump it down the drain - it is beet juice or some such thing, environmentally friendly.
Rinse with water.
The stuff is like magic.