Fuel tank advice... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Longhorn Man · 09-10-2003, 12:03 AM

Since I am trying to get truck #3 on the road, but being able to take my time on it, I thought I would pull the fuel tank out and take a peek inside of it. I think after having 2 old trucks with 5 pounds of rust and crap in the tank kinda tought me a lesson...that and the fact that i am working in the rad shop at work gives me the chance to clean up my tank and solder the filler neck at no charge.
Anyways, i pulled the tank out, popped off the sender unit, then when i shined my mag light in there I was amazed at what I saw...it look like some one crapped in there after eating real spicey food for dinner. There is less than 5 gallons of fuel/water in there, yet I was unable to see the bottom of the tank. Real nasty in there.
I real good way to get all that crap out, is to use a steam cleaner. A pressure washer will do OK, but the added bonus on the steamer is the fact that the water will evaporate since it is so hot instead of cling to everything and cause problems down the road.
To anyone who has had to chainge out fuel filters every week, or anyone who is doing up a truck that is not a driver, take the time to look into your tank. I was told this on my last 2 trucks and ignored them...I guess third time is a charm huh?
just thought I'd share in case some one has not thought of this.

A.P. · 09-10-2003, 01:35 AM

Thanks for the info, my truck has been park for along time. I hope my tank has not rusted from the inside.

tyger25 · 09-10-2003, 07:12 PM

Anything we can do to a tank that can't come out? I mean leaving the tank in place, how can we get rid of the rust inside?

mooneyes · 09-10-2003, 10:11 PM

...been there done that...the last one gave me all kinds of probs..carb ..fuel pump etc. ended up there was no sock on the end of the inlet tube....should have looked first!!!!.....hold on....3rd truck??????????? what did i miss???????????????

68 Suburban · 09-10-2003, 10:39 PM

What is truck number 3? I missed something....lol

Longhorn Man · 09-10-2003, 11:07 PM

Truck #1...blue longhorn...RIP
truck #2... Red POS GMC.
Truck #3...Gold Longorn

ken, that sock on the tube can be more trouble than good. If it were to get clogged, you'd spend a month trying to figure why your engine won't run, plus, it can agervate vapor lock conditions.

Longhorn Man · 09-10-2003, 11:51 PM

One hr of this, and some dish soap.

Longhorn Man · 09-10-2003, 11:52 PM

Then after snad blasting around the neck, i found the solder was cracked..just like most of them.
In the morning we'll redo it.

Longhorn Man · 09-10-2003, 11:54 PM

When i pulled the sending unit out, the sock was clogged. I don't like them anyways, so i ripped the stupid POS off.
Then I poured the fuel out..and I know why it was clogged. This fuel is only about a month old...maybe 3 months.
I just wish i could have gotten the camera inside the tank and took a pic of how nice it looks now.

Bowed · 09-11-2003, 01:20 AM

Andy , how many lines do you have on that tank ? I have 1 on the drivers side (vent) 1 in the center (fuel ) and 2 more lines on the passengers side that go up in between the roof panels . I have not traced where they finally come out but that seems really funny .

Longhorn Man · 09-11-2003, 11:58 PM

mine has one, as do all 67 - 70 trucks. In 71 they went to the ECE or something like that. Evaporative stuff. The one that goes up the cab is the same one that comes down and plugs back into the tank.
Cali may have had that set up before 71, but I don't think so.

landon4421 · 09-12-2003, 12:22 AM

both of my trucks have them but they are not hooked up, well that i know about !! I think it has somthing to do with the emishions (sp) Landon

Longhorn Man · 09-12-2003, 12:39 AM

Yeah, the evaporative system was part of the emmisions.
Looking at your signiture, one is a 67. Interesting.
So taking that into account, it may well have been a california deal before '71.

landon4421 · 09-12-2003, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Looking at your signiture, one is a 67. Interesting.

if you are talking about mine, the 67 did not have the lines, but both our 71 and the 72 I am rebuilding did ! I need to change the year of the 67 I decided to go with the 72 front clip:p

Longhorn Man · 09-12-2003, 10:03 PM

Ahhh, OK.
I guess I get to try out the POR fuel tank liner kit now too...the boss man gave me a quart and some prep stuff.
Maybe I'll retype all this out in the FAQ page.

junkyardjohn · 09-12-2003, 10:36 PM

:p Fuel tank advice... :p

GET RID OF THAT TANK INSIDE THE CAB...... & GET IT UNDER THE TRUCK.... WHERE GM SHOULDA PUT IT. LOL JOHN

CoryM · 09-12-2003, 11:07 PM

OK guys, heres a little info on gas tanks. They are coated, once that coating goes away they rust. Do yourselves a favour, and either buy a new tank or have that one cleaned/coated (about $200usd). If you do not, you will run into rust problems again sooner than later. Been there, done that. I was doing some work for a guy and he wouldnt have it coated. It cost the guy a lot of $$$ in fuel filters and pumps because he was too cheap to have it coated. After replacing both electric pumps and filters cleaning out lines and dissassembling/cleaning the injectors (was about $1000USD) I convinced him to have the tank coated. Plus he will have to replace the injectors as the nozzles were damaged.
Good Luck.
CoryM

Longhorn Man · 09-12-2003, 11:18 PM

Yeah, like I said in the last post of mine...I'm going to coat it with the POR fuel tank stuff.

09-10-2003, 10:11 PM	#4
mooneyes Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Slippery Rock PA USA Posts: 1,692	...been there done that...the last one gave me all kinds of probs..carb ..fuel pump etc. ended up there was no sock on the end of the inlet tube....should have looked first!!!!.....hold on....3rd truck??????????? what did i miss??????????????? __________________ Ken Lyons, Slippery rock pa 68 short step 327 t10 4 gear 72 2wd blazer project 70 lwb 305/700r driver 78 caprice project 02 cavalier D.D ( hate it!!)

09-10-2003, 10:39 PM	#5
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	What is truck number 3? I missed something....lol __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

09-10-2003, 11:51 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	One hr of this, and some dish soap. Attached Images

09-10-2003, 11:52 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Then after snad blasting around the neck, i found the solder was cracked..just like most of them. In the morning we'll redo it. Attached Images

09-10-2003, 11:54 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	When i pulled the sending unit out, the sock was clogged. I don't like them anyways, so i ripped the stupid POS off. Then I poured the fuel out..and I know why it was clogged. This fuel is only about a month old...maybe 3 months. I just wish i could have gotten the camera inside the tank and took a pic of how nice it looks now. Attached Images

09-10-2003, 12:03 AM	#1
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Fuel tank advice... Since I am trying to get truck #3 on the road, but being able to take my time on it, I thought I would pull the fuel tank out and take a peek inside of it. I think after having 2 old trucks with 5 pounds of rust and crap in the tank kinda tought me a lesson...that and the fact that i am working in the rad shop at work gives me the chance to clean up my tank and solder the filler neck at no charge. Anyways, i pulled the tank out, popped off the sender unit, then when i shined my mag light in there I was amazed at what I saw...it look like some one crapped in there after eating real spicey food for dinner. There is less than 5 gallons of fuel/water in there, yet I was unable to see the bottom of the tank. Real nasty in there. I real good way to get all that crap out, is to use a steam cleaner. A pressure washer will do OK, but the added bonus on the steamer is the fact that the water will evaporate since it is so hot instead of cling to everything and cause problems down the road. To anyone who has had to chainge out fuel filters every week, or anyone who is doing up a truck that is not a driver, take the time to look into your tank. I was told this on my last 2 trucks and ignored them...I guess third time is a charm huh? just thought I'd share in case some one has not thought of this.

09-10-2003, 01:35 AM	#2
A.P. Black 72 Chevy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 662	Thanks for the info, my truck has been park for along time. I hope my tank has not rusted from the inside. __________________ 72 Chevy, SWB, 350engine, TH400

09-10-2003, 07:12 PM	#3
tyger25 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Little Rock, Ar Posts: 124	Anything we can do to a tank that can't come out? I mean leaving the tank in place, how can we get rid of the rust inside? __________________ U.S.A.F. 68' C-10 Stepside 305 w/ 4 speed

09-10-2003, 11:07 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Truck #1...blue longhorn...RIP truck #2... Red POS GMC. Truck #3...Gold Longorn ken, that sock on the tube can be more trouble than good. If it were to get clogged, you'd spend a month trying to figure why your engine won't run, plus, it can agervate vapor lock conditions.

09-11-2003, 01:20 AM	#10
Bowed Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: where it's hot Posts: 1,059	Andy , how many lines do you have on that tank ? I have 1 on the drivers side (vent) 1 in the center (fuel ) and 2 more lines on the passengers side that go up in between the roof panels . I have not traced where they finally come out but that seems really funny .

09-11-2003, 11:58 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	mine has one, as do all 67 - 70 trucks. In 71 they went to the ECE or something like that. Evaporative stuff. The one that goes up the cab is the same one that comes down and plugs back into the tank. Cali may have had that set up before 71, but I don't think so.

09-12-2003, 12:22 AM	#12
landon4421 Life is Good ! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 1,992	both of my trucks have them but they are not hooked up, well that i know about !! I think it has somthing to do with the emishions (sp) Landon __________________ '72 Chevy C10 4x4 shortbed "Project" '71 Chevy C10 2wd longbed "partsrunner" '91 Chevy Burb 4x4 "kidrunner" '14 Honda Accord Sport "commuter"

09-12-2003, 12:39 AM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yeah, the evaporative system was part of the emmisions. Looking at your signiture, one is a 67. Interesting. So taking that into account, it may well have been a california deal before '71.

09-12-2003, 10:03 PM	#15
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Ahhh, OK. I guess I get to try out the POR fuel tank liner kit now too...the boss man gave me a quart and some prep stuff. Maybe I'll retype all this out in the FAQ page.

09-12-2003, 10:36 PM	#16
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	:p Fuel tank advice... :p GET RID OF THAT TANK INSIDE THE CAB...... & GET IT UNDER THE TRUCK.... WHERE GM SHOULDA PUT IT. LOL JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST



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09-12-2003, 11:07 PM	#17
CoryM Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Surrey, B.C. , Canada Posts: 874	OK guys, heres a little info on gas tanks. They are coated, once that coating goes away they rust. Do yourselves a favour, and either buy a new tank or have that one cleaned/coated (about $200usd). If you do not, you will run into rust problems again sooner than later. Been there, done that. I was doing some work for a guy and he wouldnt have it coated. It cost the guy a lot of $$$ in fuel filters and pumps because he was too cheap to have it coated. After replacing both electric pumps and filters cleaning out lines and dissassembling/cleaning the injectors (was about $1000USD) I convinced him to have the tank coated. Plus he will have to replace the injectors as the nozzles were damaged. Good Luck. CoryM __________________ 1970 heavy duty C-10 fleetside sport truck. Vancouver B.C. Canada http://www.geocities.com/chevroletc1070 "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high." Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Canadian Army

09-12-2003, 11:18 PM	#18
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yeah, like I said in the last post of mine...I'm going to coat it with the POR fuel tank stuff.

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