Classic/Antique Car Repair: 39 Dodge Fuel Delivery Problem, electric fuel pump, coat hanger wire

Question
Hi Dick;

Perhaps you can help me here, I'm stuck.
I just picked up a 1939 Dodge Deluxe in very good original condition that I am restoring. It has a flat head six. It had been parked in a garage since 1990, and was never started or turned over since then. I have replaced all the gas line from the fuel pump to the gas tank, but I cannot get gas from the tank. I totally drained the tank of all old gas, then I tried blowing compressed air into the line and no air would go into the tank, it would simply blow back at me. I then tried blowing air into the filler neck, no air would come out the line. I took the line off at the tank, still no air coming out. I tried blowing air into the line fitting but it would just blow back at me. For some reason I am plugged somewhere in the tank itself. I can push a coat hanger wire into the outlet fitting where the line connects, and it travels into the tank about a foot and a half then bottoms out on something? Is there a pick up tube inside the tank that may be clogged? I put three gallons of new gas into the tank, and nothing will come out? I hooked an electric fuel pump in line and it will not draw anything at all. I already tested the pump prior and it does work. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Regards;

Dan

Answer
Yes, your pickup tube is probably plugged solid with congealed gasoline and rust.  You can try one more thing, and that is to  get some very powerful solvent (I use GUNK brand carburetor spray cleaner) and fill the outlet line with that and let it soak overnight.  Then, remove the gas cap (so you won't have pressure build up in the tank, and using an air compressor set at max (100 PSI or more), try again to force air into the outlet fitting. If it still won't let air in, you'll have to drain the tank, remove it, and send it to a "Tank ReNU" place - and let them cut it open and clean it out for you.  The process costs around $400, but they will fix it for you.

Dick