Sounds like varnish in the tank did the car sit for a long time? You can get a tank from Rock auto for around $165.00 not counting the discount they offer. If your time and agravation plus whatever you spend on cleaning product and a tank sealer if your sealing it, add up to more than that I would just get a new tank. Plus it will be shiny when you look under the car!
If you go the new tank route save your old lock ring from the sending unit they are better than the one that comes with the new tanks.
Run some fresh gas through the line and change the fuel filter after you straigten out the fueltank issue if you haven`t thought of it already.