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need to drain gas tank, how do i drain it when plug is frozen?

Started by Daffer, March 30, 2025, 06:25:30 PM

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Daffer

I need to drain my gas tank on my 1950 cadillac, im having trouble since the plug is frozen and i didnt expect that, my mistake. i tryed siphoning the gas but the tub wont go past a certain point. so im at aloss. I want to keep trying at the plug but im worried I may end up warping or doing damage to the tank when removing it and id hate screw anything up. any suggestions? -Joshua

The Tassie Devil(le)

The easiest way would be to remove the pipe from the inlet to the fuel pump and make an extender that goes into an external pump, and then pump the fuel into a couple of Jerry Cans.

This way you will get most of the contents out.

BUT, in the manner of safety, put a long outlet from the pump to the cans so there can be no chance of an explosion.

Any electric auto fuel pump will do.   I use an old Holley pump myself.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Daffer

Quote from: The Tassie Devil(le) on March 30, 2025, 06:41:31 PMThe easiest way would be to remove the pipe from the inlet to the fuel pump and make an extender that goes into an external pump, and then pump the fuel into a couple of Jerry Cans.

This way you will get most of the contents out.

BUT, in the manner of safety, put a long outlet from the pump to the cans so there can be no chance of an explosion.

Any electric auto fuel pump will do.   I use an old Holley pump myself.

Bruce. >:D
OK I may give that a try. I'm just asking is trying the drain plug again a bad idea?

Big Fins

Spray it with PB Blaster a couple of times a day for a few days. That should break it loose.

Whatever bean counter did away with drain plugs in both transmissions and fuel tanks should be keel hauled very slowly in salt water.
Current:
1976 Eldorado Convertible in Crystal Blue Fire Mist with white interior and top. (Misty Blue)

Past and much missed:
1977 Brougham de Elegance
1976 Eldorado Convertible
1972 Fleetwood Brougham
1971 Sedan de Ville
1970 de Ville Convertible
1969 Fleetwood Brougham
1969 Sedan de Ville
1959 Sedan deVille

_Cap_

a trick i learned from my father is to take off the fuel line from the tank and put it in a bucket, then use a nozzle extension on for an air compressor and use a towel to seal it against the where you put in the fuel. When you put pressure in the tank it forces the fuel out.
Its a slow prosses but in a pinch it works pretty well

Daffer

Ill be giving the PB bladter a try today hopefully it works, if it don't I'll be trying the air compression method. I'll update you on how it goes. Thank you