Converting. THE BUS

[Sod Buster]

Hello , i am called Sod Buster. Bought a 1991 international school bus from as church with low miles hoping to enjoy a good running machine. Turns out the. Fuel tank is full of scum so it needs replacing. So does the injector pump and fuel lines. A major project from the start but im willing to undertake the job. If anyone out there can help me with some knowledge i would sure appreciate it. I had the same problem with my tractor a year ago so i know what im up against. Injector pumps are very expensive, maybe i can find a used one?? A new fuel tank is what im hoping for and used or make my own fuel lines too. All i have done so far is remove the 20!seats do im just beginng this journey.
Wish me luck, im going to need it
Sod Buster

 

[nikitis]

Hello , i am called Sod Buster. Bought a 1991 international school bus from as church with low miles hoping to enjoy a good running machine. Turns out the. Fuel tank is full of scum so it needs replacing. So does the injector pump and fuel lines. A major project from the start but im willing to undertake the job. If anyone out there can help me with some knowledge i would sure appreciate it. I had the same problem with my tractor a year ago so i know what im up against. Injector pumps are very expensive, maybe i can find a used one?? A new fuel tank is what im hoping for and used or make my own fuel lines too. All i have done so far is remove the 20!seats do im just beginng this journey.
Wish me luck, im going to need it
Sod Buster

Scum isn't a reason to replace necessarily unless you just want to blow money on a new tank.

You could detach the tank, clean it out really well, replace fuel filters, and blow out the lines.

If there's rust in the tank you can clean that out too with lots of marbles, rocks, and cleaners as long as there's no holes in the tank. This is a lot of work, and wouldn't blame you if you wanted to buy a new tank for this reason. But even if there are holes in the tank you could potentially cut out the bad spots and weld in a patch if you can weld and repair the tank. Still may be too much work for you so I'd understand if you wanted to just buy a new one. You likely aren't going to find a good shape OEM tank for your bus, but you can likely find tanks that fit the dimensions and specs to fit in the same spot. Aftermarket replacements which may be the way to go.

But if it's just scum, I'd probably remove the tank and just give it a good cleaning. Take it out, spray it out good, throw in some chems to clean, then toss in some biocides with your first filled tank to help kill out any remaining bacteria. Running it through your system will help kill bacteria through the rest of your fuel system too if it's clogged up.

 

[DeMac]

Clean it up

Scum isn't a reason to replace necessarily unless you just want to blow money on a new tank.

You could detach the tank, clean it out really well, replace fuel filters, and blow out the lines.

If there's rust in the tank you can clean that out too with lots of marbles, rocks, and cleaners as long as there's no holes in the tank. This is a lot of work, and wouldn't blame you if you wanted to buy a new tank for this reason. But even if there are holes in the tank you could potentially cut out the bad spots and weld in a patch if you can weld and repair the tank. Still may be too much work for you so I'd understand if you wanted to just buy a new one. You likely aren't going to find a good shape OEM tank for your bus, but you can likely find tanks that fit the dimensions and specs to fit in the same spot. Aftermarket replacements which may be the way to go.

But if it's just scum, I'd probably remove the tank and just give it a good cleaning. Take it out, spray it out good, throw in some chems to clean, then toss in some biocides with your first filled tank to help kill out any remaining bacteria. Running it through your system will help kill bacteria through the rest of your fuel system too if it's clogged up.

--------

Thanks Nikitis. My thoughts as well. Noah sat for 17 years with old fuel. I replaced the entire fuel system. The tank had to be cleaned, but I also installed new fuel lines throughout, a new fuel pump, new fuel pressure regulator, (2) fuel filters, a new carburetor & air cleaner, too.

Easy enough work, but wear eye protection. Grit in the eyes is the worst part, for me.

 

[cadillackid]

how do you know the injector pump is nuked? first thing i would do is get a fuel can of fresh diesel fuel... you'll need at least a couple gallons as fuel is going to pull out of it pretty fast and be returned to the main tank.. but you can at least prime the system on fresh fuel and get the engine to run with fresh filter and water separator. the DT360 has a bleed screw right at the injection pump... you pour fuel into your fresh flters and screw them on.. then drop a line into your jug.. open the bleeder screw at the pump.. (will be a small bolt in the middle of a larger banjo line on the side of the pump).. then use the hand prime plunger to bring fresh fuel up to this point.. you'll pump till you get fuel then keep going for a little bit to run out any old fuel in the lines... then you tighten the bleeder screw, push in the engine stop and try to start it up (line still in your jug)... these injection pumps and injectors are really hard to destroy....

 

[Mat7783]

I had sludge in my tank as well. Pulled the tank and pressure washed inside as best as possible.used 1 gallon of molasses (tractor supply)to three gallons of water ratio.filled my tank to the top and let it sit for at least a month.i drained mine after 2 months and the rusty water just poured out.let it dry out and used I believe it’s called Rusty Gold kit.it has a cleaner,sealer,and epoxy to seal the inside walls.she is now good as new for $200. Or you could have a sandblaster company clean it out or tumbler with gravel inside to clean out.still should seal inside before using again so do the math on cost.��

 

[#1FordFan]

If you have running tractors you can use one of the rear wheels as a tumbler. You jack the back of the tractor up so ONE tire is off the ground. Strap the tank to the side of the wheel. Fill the tank with the desired grit/cleaner and seal it up.
Then start it put it in the right gear and let it turn for a while.

 

[twcook]

A useful trick is to use a piece of chain as the grit instead of gravel or something. Much easier to get it all out when you're done. I've had good success doing that with tractor fuel tanks.

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

i used 3/8" nuts and vinegar on my old 77 truck tank.
turn it upside down on a couple of buckets and a big old speaker magnet to drag the nuts to the hole to get them out.