Classic/Antique Car Repair: Rusty Packard fuel tanks, fuel pressure gauge, new tank

Question
Dick,
My 1955 Clipper kept stalling after 4 to 5 miles of driving. I hooked a fuel pressure gauge to a Hose "T" and ran the guage to the cab..started at 5 psi and slowly drops to 0 psi and stalls.  The fuel pump was removed and found large rust chunks in the pump. The fuel tank was removed (this appears to be a non-production swap tank...somebody welded a new filler and plugged the old location. The tank is like new on the outside, but If i shake the tank I can hear rust and debris inside. There is no access hole or sending unit. Kanter has tanks for around $400 plus exchange. (mine is not exchangeable). Kanter has sealer kits, but i have read good and bad reports. What do you recommend? I would like to run a screen type filter at the pump outlet to filter LARGE chunks, while not causing suction issues at the fuel pump. I would still run the fuel filter at the carb (in line replaceable).  Let me know your thoughts please. thanks again! Jeff

Answer
This is a very common problem with all old cars, especially in damp climates.  There are other sources of used fuel tanks for these cars - but if Kanter's will guarantee a good, clean tank for $400 plus their core deposit (assuming that is reasonable), is is probably the best deal you are going to find, because it costs nearly that to have any other used tank you might find processed by a Tank-ReNu outfit.  In fact, if it comes with the correct operational sender, it's probably a bargain!

Your idea regarding filter placement is just right - putting filters prior to the pump will cause vapor lock problems, and pumps can tolerate some crud (not as much as you have, apparently!).   I think someone must have vandalized your car to have that much stuff loose inside a relatively new tank.  No sending unit is another odd thing - what were they thinking?!

Dick