Has anyone done this to a Blazer gas tank?

[glock35ipsc]

On my Blazer tank, the fuel filler inlet piece unbolts from the tank. It looks like it might be studs, but I can't really tell if they are studs that are welded/part of the tank, or if they are bolts that will fall off inside the tank if I take the nuts off.

I would like to take it off so I can cut the 1-3/8" tube off and TIG on something larger. Has anyone ever removed this piece?

[LUV2XCLR8]

Well mines plastic, lol, but I'd rather have the metal one, I dunno, ttt

[Primered_69]

I have also thought about this but I have a plastic one. I thought about capping the old hole and installing a bigger filler hole in a better placement using a gasket and bolting it in place.

For a steel one there should be no problem doing this as long as it is a new tank. i would never try to weld on one that have ever had any gas in it

You might want to consider these these questions in the swap:

If you moved the location to a better location to avoid the frame rails and to allow easier filling, would it have any affect on the fuel sending unit and its operation?

Could you use the filler tube fom one of the behind the seat tanks?

[67ChevyRedneck]

Good question. I didn't unbolt mine, but this is how I enlarged mine to a 2-1/8 or 2-1/4" diameter?? Can't remember, whatever a '96 silverado fuel filler is. I used two muffler pipe pieces.... I hope they don't rust and fall apart

It's probably going to fill slow, but at least the hose will fit now

[glock35ipsc]

It is a new tank, but that doesn't really matter. The location is OK, but I need to make it larger. That is why I want to know about the studs/bolts, whatever they are, so I can remove that piece from the tank. I need to remove the old tube because it is 1-3/8", and replace it with a piece of 2" tube.

[John Fabris]

They are either welded or pressed into the tank, so unbolting them will not cause them to fall into the tank. Then, you will find that the tube is soldered to the tank.

I have had my tank open and out in the sun for over a year before I heated up the solder to remove the tube. I then cut it and rewelded the tub at a new angle, and reapplied the solder to the tube mounting location. I also moved my vent tube from in front of the filler tube to back of the tank.

[special-K]

You can apply heat to a fuel tank if you pump exhaust gas into it at the same time.The carbom monoxide starves the oxygen out eliminating the chance of ignition.If you`re removing the neck,you can get anything that may fall in (shouldn`t) back out.

[glock35ipsc]

It still a new tank, so there is nothing there to ignite.

John, thanks for the info, that's exactly what I was wondering. Did you have to apply new solder, and if so, what kind did you use. Also, what did you use for the tubing that is inside the stake pocket? I went to the muffler shop today and they said the smallest they can get is 1-1/2". I found some 1-1/4" EMT conduit, but that is also 1-1/2" OD. That's why I want to swap out to something bigger.

*** EDIT - OK, I looked at it again. What I thought was a heavy coat of galvanizing must be the solder? I tried to loosen up a nut and it wouldn't budge. So I guess I need to heat the solder, unbolt it, then heat some more until it comes off?

[chevyboy55]

My son & I capped his filler,had a new one made to the size of the filler hose at a muffler shop then welded it(wire feed) in place where it would be a better fit.We then pressured tested the tank to check for leaks. I don't have any pics right now because the truck is at the painters!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!
If you need I can take some this weekend when we are there working on it & post them.

[69gmctowrig]

Originally Posted by Primered_69

For a steel one there should be no problem doing this as long as it is a new tank. i would never try to weld on one that have ever had any gas in it

You CAN weld on a tank that's had gas in it. You just have to be careful. I've been digging up underground gas tanks in gas stations and back yards for years and I can tell you from experience that not only can you weld on them, you can cut them with a torch. The gas isn't what will kill you, it's the fumes. so, if the tank is empty, fill it with water, or take off the gas cap, drain all the gas and carefully (match on a long stick) burn off the fumes.

[glock35ipsc]

I remember the last underground gas tank I dug up. We had to put XX amount of dry ice in it before we could start digging.

Chevyboy55 - A pic would be great!!!!!

[71swb4x4]

I have done something similar. I took my old nozzle off the old tank and put it on the new tank. The old nozzle was bolted and soldered. It was easy to get off.
The new tank used either high heat solder or some sort of brazing sticks. I could not get it off with my propane torch. I took it to a wleding shop and they removed it for me.
On both tanks the sealer (solder or whatever) had to be heated before I could get the nuts off.

[69gmctowrig]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

I remember the last underground gas tank I dug up. We had to put XX amount of dry ice in it before we could start digging.

Chevyboy55 - A pic would be great!!!!!

Yeah we did that one time. Takes wayyy too much dry ice for a 2000 gallon tank though, ended up digging it up anyway and poking holes in it with the backhoe bucket.

[John Fabris]

I have a box of many different types of solder but I don't remember which one I used. I thing I tried a couple and as long as all surfaces were clean, and heated the same it worked. Can't see any reason why lead can be used instead.

AS for the the filler tube inside my stake pocket, goto a good parts store (Napa for example) and ask for the fuel tank filler hose, it is costly ($10 a foot I think) and for the elbow I went to a muffler shop and had a piece of tubing bent (gave it to me as a trade for a 12 pack of mountain dew)...

Let me know if that helps!!!

[chevyboy55]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

I remember the last underground gas tank I dug up. We had to put XX amount of dry ice in it before we could start digging.

Chevyboy55 - A pic would be great!!!!!

Glock
Here's the pics ,sorry it took so long, but today was the first chance I've had to get to the painters.

[glock35ipsc]

Very cool! Thanks for the pics, that gives me some ideas.