De-fueling and re-fueling...

Trapdoor2

Trapdoor2

Senior Member
Naturally, just 10mi ago, I filled the gas tank for the first time...and found that the gas valve leaks intermittently (position sensitive). Luckily, I have a new replacement on hand as the previous owner said it "leaked a bit", so it was in one of my first orders.

Of course, I now have to defuel it and then turn around and pour it all back in. I have two 5gal plastic "cans", but they both have the modern "safety" spouts that are a nightmare to use, even down low where you can handle them. Way up on the cowl of the A, they're misery. Been there, done that. Made a mess, awkward, heavy, etc.

I bought 10 feet of plastic tubing to attach to my hand pump (plastic squeeze-bulb thing for kerosene heater fuel) for a siphon. Defueling shouldn't be a big deal...but I'm not looking forward to pouring it all back in.

At the moment, I'm thinking about using my platform ladder to sit the gas can on and running the siphon over to the tank to refuel. At least that will keep me from cussing quite so much.

And yeah, I know I can't get it all out. I'll jack up the passenger side a bit before pulling the valve out. Carpet is already out.

I'll report back...but if you have any better ideas, I'm all ears!:)
 
Yard sales, swap meets, and estate sales are great places to buy used gas cans still in great shape for cheap...
 
Trapdoor2 said:
Naturally, just 10mi ago, I filled the gas tank for the first time...and found that the gas valve leaks intermittently (position sensitive). Luckily, I have a new replacement on hand as the previous owner said it "leaked a bit", so it was in one of my first orders.

Of course, I now have to defuel it and then turn around and pour it all back in. I have two 5gal plastic "cans", but they both have the modern "safety" spouts that are a nightmare to use, even down low where you can handle them. Way up on the cowl of the A, they're misery. Been there, done that. Made a mess, awkward, heavy, etc.

I bought 10 feet of plastic tubing to attach to my hand pump (plastic squeeze-bulb thing for kerosene heater fuel) for a siphon. Defueling shouldn't be a big deal...but I'm not looking forward to pouring it all back in.

At the moment, I'm thinking about using my platform ladder to sit the gas can on and running the siphon over to the tank to refuel. At least that will keep me from cussing quite so much.

And yeah, I know I can't get it all out. I'll jack up the passenger side a bit before pulling the valve out. Carpet is already out.

I'll report back...but if you have any better ideas, I'm all ears!:)
Click to expand...
I "defuel" by disconnecting the gas line at the carburetor and running a length of 1/4" plastic tubing forward to between the frame ears. I run it into the 5-gal gas can. I then open the tank valve and let it rip. Gravity is your friend.

As far as "refuel" - I don't bother. I put just enough fuel in the tank to get me to the gas station. The fuel from the original "defuel" goes into my pickup to get diluted by the rest of the fuel in the tank.

Don't forget the pencil filter on top of your new fuel shutoff valve.

I've been using Gasoila E-seal for the last several years as thread sealant. Seems to hold up well to gasoline (as it is advertised to do). This would be for the tapered fitting on the gas valve where it threads into the tank.
 
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As post 2 said get gas cans at estate, yard sales etc to avoid the “safety spouts . More keeping you safe from yourself. If you get a good siphon flow going that might work well,elevating the gas cans on latter should help also .
 
So, I have defueled a couple things (aircraft mostly) via a disconnected 1/4" line. OMG, it is so sloooooow! (not that I don't have the time, being retired).

I would indeed have poured it into another vehicle...but Miz Diane insisted we fill everything up when prices started to shoot up. There's no room in any of them.

I do have the pencil filter.

I ain't waiting for a sale to show up around here...I gotta get this done (yeah, so why am I still futzing around on the net?). Ace Hardware had them pretty cheap...as long as I work around the "safety spout".

I have been using Hylomar Blue gasket and jointing sealant. Works really good on threads, not affected by gasoline, etc.

Thanks y'all!
 
I take the spout apart and remove the modern safety junk. I use a small piece of plastic over the container and put the spout back on to seal the container. I store the gasoline in my shed away from the house and garage.
 
Success!

Defueling was easy peasy. Just took two 5gal gas containers. The little squeeze bulb siphon was designed for kerosene, was barely adequate for gasoline...but it got the job done.

After the siphon, I disconnected the carburetor line, hooked it to the siphon tubing and dumped it into the last gas container (I can't say "can" for plastic for some reason). Once that was done, I put an old Tupperware bowl under the fuel valve under the tank, took off the in-cockpit fuel line and removed the fuel valve...most of the residual fuel went in the Tupperware bowl...but of course, some spilled. Nothing a few rags and a squirt or two of 409 didn't cure.

That valve was torqued in there very, very tightly...and I was surprised to find a finger screen in it...pristine, not a single bit of rust or dirt. The previous owner had told me his mechanic had cleaned out the tank...I believe him!

So, the new screen went in the new valve and the valve into the tank (I used Hylomar blue on the threads). No problem. Same for the new gas line. I did have to employ Miz Diane to hold a wrench on the gascolator so I could put a bit of torque on the nut inside. Probably the only time she's ever held a wrench!

My refueling plan worked quite well. Took me a few minutes to get the plastic flame arrestors out of the gas containers so my siphon would reach the bottoms. Placed the gas containers on the platform of my painter's ladder, which got them level with the top of the tank...siphon away!

So, a little cleanup to get the gas smell out of the garage...I went thru 4 pair of cheap 5mil rubber gloves. No stinky, gasoline hands. I wish I'd had those way back when!
 

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I use one of these to pump the tank out, when required, or to transfer fuel from a 5-gallon gas can into the Model A, when required:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0855C9BGS?tag=atomicindus08-20

Way easier than lifting 5 gallons of gas up, trying to hit the filler neck in the center of the Model A gas tank. :cool:

It transfers 5 gallons in about 2 minutes. And has auto-shutoff, so you don't overflow the tank. :eek:
 
Jim/GA said:
I use one of these to pump the tank out, when required, or to transfer fuel from a 5-gallon gas can into the Model A, when required:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0855C9BGS?tag=atomicindus08-20

Way easier than lifting 5 gallons of gas up, trying to hit the filler neck in the center of the Model A gas tank. :cool:

It transfers 5 gallons in about 2 minutes. And has auto-shutoff, so you don't overflow the tank. :eek:
Click to expand...

That link went to a sales site...but not to any specific item...

I see a bunch of battery-powered transfer pumps on Amazon. I may have to pick one up.
 
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Last time I emptied my tank I went down to Home Depot and bought three 5-gallon buckets and lids. Used a pump similar to post #12, "as seen on TV". Poked holes in the lids and pumped gas into buckets. worked good, fast, and cheap. Used three buckets to spread the volume out a bit. I always have uses for plastic buckets around the place.

Side note, my coolant petcock has started to drip. So a piece of tygon tubing, and one of my handy buckets. Hopefully a new spring and a bit of polishing to revive my valve.
 
To put fuel into a Model A at home from a five gallon gas can I do something a little different.
I use a half gallon plastic measuring jug typically used to measure herbicides and pesticides. I put a little less than the half gallon into the jug and then place a rag in front of the gas neck and then pour the gas into the tank from the jug. I also have a paper towel in my other hand to wipe the drop off the lip of the measuring jug after the gas has been poured out. I've never had any gas drip onto the rag laid on the tank while doing this but I place one there just in case...
Works well for me.
I also do this when filling the radiator with coolant.
 
Trapdoor2 said:
I would indeed have poured it into another vehicle...but Miz Diane insisted we fill everything up when prices started to shoot up. There's no room in any of them.
Click to expand...
There will be. You've got the cans just let it sit until you need it.


You can order "normal" gas can spouts on FleaBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/365278961051?_skw=gas+can+spout&itmmeta=01KPF255TR4NTFT3GQKAY0D98C&hash=item550c529d9b:g:ceYAAOSwllRnWAFq&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA8GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xB%2B%2F7MmFbqsNKu8Zf41hh5%2B0rIB823bYHvSrcYhYl7ljPEy6KuI6KYuzldtkUwhVQuRBqMg7iObS8kYUzKTC8fxeqrnx0ykN6MeMMqUtOA3ScLUpoAq8q6PY3QXIIpAaLteRgunOVv1MWpwJldIAo2FEeUQXphnENz7uPi4jZ5CU2i2A6RHX7ztoR81NHJMW8JaSV075nwFeLeHMVuAPFtCFL%2FqJJgfLZieIest5flDR5pnf%2BVE960FMhl7bceJGu6oOiMin5t4%2BBJQ3%2BU59KzA1FlMS4xdQKu9eai07U6IHA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMxt6U4rNn


I use these with a longer tube I can put into the tank before I tip the can.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1971523330...lp:2332490&itmmeta=01KPF20KTJQFXJR6TCVYNPBEBK
 
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