Question about the gas tank - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

99-LS1-SS · 12-05-2012, 12:44 PM

What holds the black plastic shield to the gas tank? I just go this truck and it has a new gas tank but the black plastic shield is zip tied on. I'm pretty sure it didn't come from the factory with zip ties... Can someone help me figure out how to fix this the right way?

Thanks.

64fleetside · 12-05-2012, 01:53 PM

Toss it, IMO. Their primary pupose is to hold mud/dirt up against the tank so it will rust out.

bohmankid · 12-05-2012, 02:19 PM

I tossed mine as well. To me, the plastic does more harm then good. I took off the plastic covers and there was mud caked inbetween them and the gas tanks. The truck had not seen the mud in 6 months. Not to mention the mud was still wet! I was forced to replace the gas tank because it had rusted through.

wyattglock · 12-05-2012, 03:10 PM

As stated before, toss the plastic. I had to replace both of my tanks due to the plastic holding rocks, mud, and water. Where they didn't rust, the rocks had started rubbing holes in the metal. But to answer your question, mine were held on by a screw that went from the top down through the strap on the bottom of the tank bracket. These also encourage the brackets to rust out, and I really don't like stopping to pick up gas tanks on the road!

99-LS1-SS · 12-05-2012, 03:20 PM

Thanks for the replies. I didn't consider the plastic trapping mud and water.

**old Rusty C10** · 12-05-2012, 08:42 PM

weren't thos plastic the things that were suppoused to help in the event of a side impact? I wouldn't get rid of them but id clean them once in a while flush out mud.. they were held onto the bottom of the tank bracket with a bolt IIRC

Pyrotechnic · 12-06-2012, 12:16 AM

Looks more like skid protection, just to thicken the tank so things would have a tougher time puncturing it. Don't help much if the skid protection punctures the tank though.

99-LS1-SS · 12-06-2012, 07:59 AM

Do you guys think it would defeat the purpose of the skid protection if I drilled holes in it to drain moisture out?

88Jimmy4x4 · 12-06-2012, 09:35 AM

The long black plastic piece is just a stone shield. The recall part that protects from side impact was around the filler neck (see below)

crazeetxn · 12-06-2012, 10:17 AM

There should be a bolt that holds it on from the bottom. It screws into one of the support braces.

Yes, they do hold water and mud. Found that out when mine rusted through. I just cleaned it up, drilled a few holes about 1/2" in diameter, and haven't had a problem since.

99-LS1-SS · 12-06-2012, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazeetxn

There should be a bolt that holds it on from the bottom. It screws into one of the support braces.

Yes, they do hold water and mud. Found that out when mine rusted through. I just cleaned it up, drilled a few holes about 1/2" in diameter, and haven't had a problem since.

That's what I'll do.

dieseldawg142 · 12-07-2012, 02:33 AM

this is what my pass. side shield looked, 28lbs of crud. this was the good side, drivers side was worse & rotted a hole in tank. i ditched mine, but if you keep 'em, defenatly drill some holes .got 2 used ones in my shop if ya want

motornut · 12-08-2012, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

this is what my pass. side shield looked, 28lbs of crud. this was the good side, drivers side was worse & rotted a hole in tank. i ditched mine, but if you keep 'em, defenatly drill some holes .got 2 used ones in my shop if ya want

dam that could increase your gas mileage!

ozkiwi · 06-08-2013, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyattglock

As stated before, toss the plastic. I had to replace both of my tanks due to the plastic holding rocks, mud, and water. Where they didn't rust, the rocks had started rubbing holes in the metal. But to answer your question, mine were held on by a screw that went from the top down through the strap on the bottom of the tank bracket. These also encourage the brackets to rust out, and I really don't like stopping to pick up gas tanks on the road!

I agree both my tanks rusted out from crap caught in the plastic covers.I only drive on sealed roads so just got rid of them.

pontgta · 06-09-2013, 03:07 PM

I left my shields on, but put some epoxy primer and painted mine black before i put them back on. I will see how they hold up.

The shields are held on by bolts attached to the tank brackets... Should be one and one on the side, then they are attached to the frame, but i just attached them to the bracket.

12-05-2012, 12:44 PM	#1
99-LS1-SS Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Oak Ridge NC Posts: 957	Question about the gas tank What holds the black plastic shield to the gas tank? I just go this truck and it has a new gas tank but the black plastic shield is zip tied on. I'm pretty sure it didn't come from the factory with zip ties... Can someone help me figure out how to fix this the right way? Thanks. __________________ My 1972 2WD Blazer build 1984 K10 beater truck

12-05-2012, 01:53 PM	#2
64fleetside Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: arkieland Posts: 1,070	Re: Question about the gas tank Toss it, IMO. Their primary pupose is to hold mud/dirt up against the tank so it will rust out.

12-05-2012, 02:19 PM	#3
bohmankid Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 520	Re: Question about the gas tank I tossed mine as well. To me, the plastic does more harm then good. I took off the plastic covers and there was mud caked inbetween them and the gas tanks. The truck had not seen the mud in 6 months. Not to mention the mud was still wet! I was forced to replace the gas tank because it had rusted through. __________________ My 1985 GMC 4x4 LS swap build thread R.I.P. My 1978 Big Ten, Big Block build thread Moby: My Chevy 4x4 ls swap build thread

12-05-2012, 03:10 PM	#4
wyattglock Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 622	Re: Question about the gas tank As stated before, toss the plastic. I had to replace both of my tanks due to the plastic holding rocks, mud, and water. Where they didn't rust, the rocks had started rubbing holes in the metal. But to answer your question, mine were held on by a screw that went from the top down through the strap on the bottom of the tank bracket. These also encourage the brackets to rust out, and I really don't like stopping to pick up gas tanks on the road!

12-05-2012, 03:20 PM	#5
99-LS1-SS Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Oak Ridge NC Posts: 957	Re: Question about the gas tank Thanks for the replies. I didn't consider the plastic trapping mud and water. __________________ My 1972 2WD Blazer build 1984 K10 beater truck

12-05-2012, 08:42 PM	#6
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,345	Re: Question about the gas tank weren't thos plastic the things that were suppoused to help in the event of a side impact? I wouldn't get rid of them but id clean them once in a while flush out mud.. they were held onto the bottom of the tank bracket with a bolt IIRC __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

12-06-2012, 12:16 AM	#7
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Question about the gas tank Looks more like skid protection, just to thicken the tank so things would have a tougher time puncturing it. Don't help much if the skid protection punctures the tank though. __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande

12-06-2012, 07:59 AM	#8
99-LS1-SS Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Oak Ridge NC Posts: 957	Re: Question about the gas tank Do you guys think it would defeat the purpose of the skid protection if I drilled holes in it to drain moisture out? __________________ My 1972 2WD Blazer build 1984 K10 beater truck

12-06-2012, 09:35 AM	#9
88Jimmy4x4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: houston, texas Posts: 1,974	Re: Question about the gas tank The long black plastic piece is just a stone shield. The recall part that protects from side impact was around the filler neck (see below) Attached Images __________________ 2008 Silverado Z71 RCSB 1991 GMC Jimmy 4x4 1976 GMC Sierra C15 SWB

12-06-2012, 10:17 AM	#10
crazeetxn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Winnsboro TX Posts: 234	Re: Question about the gas tank There should be a bolt that holds it on from the bottom. It screws into one of the support braces. Yes, they do hold water and mud. Found that out when mine rusted through. I just cleaned it up, drilled a few holes about 1/2" in diameter, and haven't had a problem since. __________________ 1st - '68 long bed 2nd - '81 SWB Now - '86 SWB, Edelbrock 1406/stock 350/700r4

12-07-2012, 02:33 AM	#12
dieseldawg142 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: back 40, bc Posts: 3,922	Re: Question about the gas tank this is what my pass. side shield looked, 28lbs of crud. this was the good side, drivers side was worse & rotted a hole in tank. i ditched mine, but if you keep 'em, defenatly drill some holes .got 2 used ones in my shop if ya want Attached Images

06-09-2013, 03:07 PM	#15
pontgta Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Haines City FL Posts: 461	Re: Question about the gas tank I left my shields on, but put some epoxy primer and painted mine black before i put them back on. I will see how they hold up. The shields are held on by bolts attached to the tank brackets... Should be one and one on the side, then they are attached to the frame, but i just attached them to the bracket.



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