Fuel tank storage question

[carolinamv]

What do you guys use in your fuel tanks when your vehicle sits for a long time?

I know of Sta-Bil , but is that what you "pros" use? My M37 sits for a long time and I don't want my tank getting nasty or the fuel getting worse than it is. I try and drive it when I can and the weather is perfect, but its mostly for parades and such, then sits in the garage.

I have some Sta-Bil and Sta-Bil 360 Performance but I wanted to ask before I put it in .

[Elwood]

I usually use Sta-Bil storage treatment, and if needed a product from Bell Performance for treating ethanol gas. I can't say definitively that one or both does what it promises to, but I've used gasoline that's been stored for up to six months in my tractor and daily driver with no problems.

If I have a vehicle that's going to sit for more than a few months, however, I drain the tank and run the engine until the fuel lines and carb are dry. M37s are easy since the tank (if you're using a stock tank) have either a drain plug or a petcock.

[w30bob]

I've heard good things about the new Sta-Bil 360. I'm not a "Pro", but I spend a lot of time around a mechanic friend of mine. But Elwood is right....nothing is better than draining ALL the fuel out of the truck. And the drain plug on the tank comes in mighty handy..........but I believe later M's didn't have a drain plug........I think I saw that in the list of Production Changes. If yours doesn't have one keep an eye out for an older tank, or have a shop solder one in for you. I say that like there's a radiator/fuel tank shop on every corner, but the sad fact is they are hard to find now-a-days.

For those ultra-lazy folks out there, a little known trick is to mix a bit of 2-stroke oil with your gas. I've never had a problem using today's gas if mixed with 2-stroke oil in any of my lawn equipment, and I never drain the gas out of them over the winter. Never had time to look up the technical details as to why that works........but it does.

regards,
bob

[ZGjethro]

I go through the 24 gallon tank so quickly that storage usually isn't a problem. I start the truck every few weeks to keep the gas from drying out in the carb and gumming or turning to varnish. I have also never had a problem with my dirt bikes (premix), or snowmobile (straight 91 octane). I must be in the minority, since there all those gas storage solutions out there for a reason

[Elwood]

Bob is right: the fuel tank drain plug was discontinued after s/n 80042080. Since my Studebaker doesn't have a drain plug, I use a fuel transfer hand pump with a length of fuel line, and extract the fuel from the tank through the filler neck. If my M37 didn't have the tank drain, I'd do the same thing there. Pumping out the tank doesn't take long, and it's a lot less hassle than a gummed up carb.

[DJ]

The other side of the proverbial coin is to keep it full when sitting to prevent the inside from rusting. Then , Charles says old gas will gum up and cause valves to stick and bend. I personally like the full tank with an additive,then in the spring put a little 2 cycle oil in the tank. Haven't had a problem yet.

[carolinamv]

I do keep mine full also. Glad to hear what some of you guys do!