5ktq fuel pump strainer clogging

[Leif Pedersen <leif@mail.execpc.com>]

Have a '86 5ktq that I am resurrecting which almost stranded me a few weeks
ago.  Fuel pump become noisy and car barely had enough power to limp home.
Pulled fuel pump and the strainer was almost completely clogged.  Looking
in the tank, it looks like there is a tar like coating on the inside of the
fuel tank.  I do not know if bad gas (car was sitting for over 1 year
before I baught it) or our new reformulated gas has loosened whatever the
coating is.  I found a TSB to remove the strainer screen on the fuel pump
but do not necessarily like that thought since a larger piece of dirt could
get into the fuel pump and lock it up.

Anyone have any experience with this?  Is it possible to clean the tank
without removing it?  From the Bentley it looks like the exhaust,
drive-shaft, rear differential, brake cables, etc. have to be removed in
order to drop the tank.  Sure would like to find an easier solution.

Any BTDT or great ideas on how to best handle this.  Other then repainting
due to the clear coat peeling, the car purred nicely before the fuel pump
became clogged.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Leif