On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:56:57 -0400, "T. McQuinn"
wrote:

I am in Cincinnati beginning my 4th day on generator power - all of 3500
watts, but I'm damn glad to have it. This is a generator that my father
bought in 1978. We tested it when it was new, then it sat unused until
two years ago when it was given to me. After a carburetor rebuild and
an oil change it runs decently. It has a 5 gallon external fuel tank
that I would love to use (instead of needing to fill the internal tank
every 2 hours). But it had gas sit in it for 28 years. It didn't even
smell like gas and it poured like a thick varnish. Does anyone have an
idea for an easy way to clean that sucker? Would swishing a bit a gas
around in it loosen up most of the junk or would I be better off using
something else, maybe kerosene or diesel?

Tom

Fresh gas will get the job done eventually. May need to let it sit in
there a while to soften any remaining deposits. Full strength carb
cleaner, like gumout, would be faster, but it's nasty stuff. Make
sure you dispose of the dregs as hazardous waste.

HTH,

Paul F.