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Maybe partially fill it with clean pebbles or nuts and bolts and shake to loosen the remaining rust, flush that out, then a rust remover solution, then the slosh paint (though I'm not sure if POR15 right out of the can is appropriate).

I've soldered up a pinhole here and there, but there's always more waiting to pop through.

Rust in the two tanks is so common, Ford/DeTomaso nickel or chrome plated them inside and outside on L-model Panteras. Remove the black paint to see if yours is plated. POR-15 may delay the inevitable. The big water pipes are mild steel (exhaust pipe) and commonly rust through near the ends. The fix is a good grade of aftermarket stainless steel from the vendors for tanks and water pipes. Paint if you're into the stock look.

A peculiarity of Ford-era Panteras is, one undercar pipe is two piece while the other identical pipe is one piece. The long pipe cannot be removed except with the entire powertrain removed first, or by cutting it in two to match the short assembly. I wouldn't waste time nor effort with refurbishing stock water pipes. I also recommend discarding all stock multi-piece Italian hose clamps and Pirelli rubber hoses before nature does it for you on the road....

As an update on this subject. The KBS coating will not handle heat, so it's worthless on these tanks. I'm convinced to just replace them with stainless. Even if you get them cleaned out they will be thinner, then the whole process starts over again, meanwhile you are getting lots of rust particles circulating in your radiator and blocking it up! Not worth messing with them.

Absolutely agree. I boggles the mind what kluges are put together on a $75k sports car to avoid spending what it takes to actually fix a problem. Typically, the connecting hoses are shot as well as the caps. Somewhere around here I have a photo of a Pantera surge tank with the whole bottom replaced by a soldered-on tin juice can painted black! Some vendors have usable stock take-offs from people into bling, as well as new non-corroding stainless and aluminum tanks, both with new caps.

I just ordered mine from Hall. Reasonably priced.

BTW the overflow tank will rust faster since it is partially filled with fluid and is hot and steamy in there, perfect conditions for rapid rust. At the very least get a magnet stick and sweep the bottom every once in a while. You may be shocked at what you pull out of there. If you ever look inside with an LED stick light it will frighten you!

Last edited by rrs1

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