Replacing gas tank tips? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

iufan71 · 07-21-2003, 11:26 PM

Ok,got my new gas tank in today,and was wondering if anyone else out there had any tips to make everything to go smoothly and stuff like that. I assume its as easy as undoing the two metal straps and undoing the filler and vent hoses. And then doing the same in reverse. My friend said he always puts pieces of innertube between the tank and the straps to protect the tank. And also,to get extra fuel line to make putting it all back together eaiser then trying to use the short fuel line thats on there now.

iufan71 · 07-21-2003, 11:27 PM

Also was wondering..what size of fuel line is on there that i need to get longer lengths of? My buddy said he thought it was like 5/8 or something like that

iufan71 · 07-21-2003, 11:29 PM

My truck is a 78 GMC longbed with the 20 gallon tank on the pasenger side.

DrMaserati · 07-22-2003, 04:27 AM

The easiest way to access the hoses and wires, which are on the top of the tank, is to remove the pickup bed. Makes tank R&R simple. Hoses should be 3/8 inch.

JP

Nvbowtie · 07-22-2003, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DrMaserati
The easiest way to access the hoses and wires, which are on the top of the tank, is to remove the pickup bed. Makes tank R&R simple. Hoses should be 3/8 inch.

JP

Where would you disconnect the tank from the bed ?
(Bottom of hose /Top of hose /Tank filler neck from the bed )

iufan71 · 07-22-2003, 08:09 AM

Hadnt really planned on removing the bed. Just getting the extra length gas lines to faciltate getting my hands above the tank to reconnect the lines. Is it really that hard?

iufan71 · 07-22-2003, 08:44 AM

If i take the bed off,or at least scoot it back,how hard is it to replace the tank?How long would it take without the bed in the way? Thanks for any info.

**Captkaos** · 07-22-2003, 09:12 AM

I removed my by dropping the front first and then reaching up and removing the lines/wires. It isn't a cake walk, but is isn't too difficult. I would make sure it was empty before you start though, you really don't want alot of gas sloshing around making it hard on you. I convinced a friend to help me reinstall it.

77bowtie · 07-22-2003, 10:14 AM

I've dropped 2 tanks so far 1 to go. They are EZ, no prob's, no suprizes. Empty the tank, or as close to empty as you can! Disconect all fuel lines and sending unit wires, make any cuts in a place were its easy to re-splice them back! I disconect the fuel filler from the side of the bed, un-bolt the 3-4 bolts in the front, do the same in the rear. Push up & out on the underside at the front & its will come loose and drop down, set it on a block of wood or whatever you have. Do the same @ the rear, being carful of the wires and hoses. Thats over. Peice of cake!
Good Luck...Jon

iufan71 · 07-22-2003, 12:37 PM

So you are saying it can be done without removing the bed? Thanks. Heath

77bowtie · 07-22-2003, 01:55 PM

Yes, leave the bed on. I've pulled the drivers side tank on my 77. Still need to pull the passenger side. And I've pulled the passenger side tank on my 79. Never ran into a problem on either. And I work alone. Go for it...Good Luck....Jon

MylilBowTie · 07-22-2003, 03:33 PM

A lot easier with the bed off, but I wouldn't just take the bed off for the sake of taking a gas tank out. If you get another metal tank I would clean it up and undercoat it really good. Let it dry good before putting it back. Might also want to get some new tank straps. Mine only had one holding it one and it was ready to go. Good luck

iufan71 · 07-26-2003, 02:52 AM

Well,i finally got my gas tank replaced,as well as replaced the sending unit. This job can be done by one person and doesnt need the bed to be removed. Cant believe the local service station wanted to charge me $180 to do this job,and that was just for the labor. I was able to reuse both straps. For others out there that need to do this in the future,i did replace both lines to the sending unit also,just as good measure. As well as undercoated the new tank,and used pieces of tire inner tube between the bands and tank. Thanks for all who responded to this post.

iufan71 · 07-26-2003, 02:54 AM

Also figured out my tranny fluid leak was coming from where the speedo cable goes into the tranny. Amazing what a few turns of the wrench can do. I tightened the connector up,and my leak has disappeared.

77bowtie · 07-26-2003, 08:38 AM

Good Deal! Glad you got things fixed up.

07-21-2003, 11:26 PM	#1
iufan71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Indianapolis,IN Posts: 138	Replacing gas tank tips? Ok,got my new gas tank in today,and was wondering if anyone else out there had any tips to make everything to go smoothly and stuff like that. I assume its as easy as undoing the two metal straps and undoing the filler and vent hoses. And then doing the same in reverse. My friend said he always puts pieces of innertube between the tank and the straps to protect the tank. And also,to get extra fuel line to make putting it all back together eaiser then trying to use the short fuel line thats on there now.

07-21-2003, 11:27 PM	#2
iufan71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Indianapolis,IN Posts: 138	Gas tank Also was wondering..what size of fuel line is on there that i need to get longer lengths of? My buddy said he thought it was like 5/8 or something like that

07-21-2003, 11:29 PM	#3
iufan71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Indianapolis,IN Posts: 138	Gas tank My truck is a 78 GMC longbed with the 20 gallon tank on the pasenger side.

07-22-2003, 04:27 AM	#4
DrMaserati Village Curmudgeon Join Date: May 2003 Location: Salem, OR Posts: 75	The easiest way to access the hoses and wires, which are on the top of the tank, is to remove the pickup bed. Makes tank R&R simple. Hoses should be 3/8 inch. JP __________________ 78 Chevy K30 duallie, 454, TH400 78 IH Scout II, 4X4, 345, 727TF 76 IH Scout II, 4X4, 345, 727TF 65 IH 1200C pickup, 4X4, 345, 4 spd 48 IH KB-8-F, RD-450, 5 spd, 35,000 GVW (a REAL truck) "Life is too short to drink cheap beer." Harry S. Truman

07-22-2003, 09:12 AM	#8
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	I removed my by dropping the front first and then reaching up and removing the lines/wires. It isn't a cake walk, but is isn't too difficult. I would make sure it was empty before you start though, you really don't want alot of gas sloshing around making it hard on you. I convinced a friend to help me reinstall it. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

07-22-2003, 08:09 AM	#6
iufan71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Indianapolis,IN Posts: 138	Hadnt really planned on removing the bed. Just getting the extra length gas lines to faciltate getting my hands above the tank to reconnect the lines. Is it really that hard?

07-22-2003, 08:44 AM	#7
iufan71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Indianapolis,IN Posts: 138	If i take the bed off,or at least scoot it back,how hard is it to replace the tank?How long would it take without the bed in the way? Thanks for any info.

07-22-2003, 10:14 AM	#9
77bowtie Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Mexico. Of all places for an Island boy. Posts: 180	Dropping tanks I've dropped 2 tanks so far 1 to go. They are EZ, no prob's, no suprizes. Empty the tank, or as close to empty as you can! Disconect all fuel lines and sending unit wires, make any cuts in a place were its easy to re-splice them back! I disconect the fuel filler from the side of the bed, un-bolt the 3-4 bolts in the front, do the same in the rear. Push up & out on the underside at the front & its will come loose and drop down, set it on a block of wood or whatever you have. Do the same @ the rear, being carful of the wires and hoses. Thats over. Peice of cake! Good Luck...Jon

07-22-2003, 12:37 PM	#10
iufan71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Indianapolis,IN Posts: 138	77 bowtie So you are saying it can be done without removing the bed? Thanks. Heath

07-22-2003, 01:55 PM	#11
77bowtie Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Mexico. Of all places for an Island boy. Posts: 180	Yes, leave the bed on. I've pulled the drivers side tank on my 77. Still need to pull the passenger side. And I've pulled the passenger side tank on my 79. Never ran into a problem on either. And I work alone. Go for it...Good Luck....Jon

07-22-2003, 03:33 PM	#12
MylilBowTie Right turn Clyde Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,911	A lot easier with the bed off, but I wouldn't just take the bed off for the sake of taking a gas tank out. If you get another metal tank I would clean it up and undercoat it really good. Let it dry good before putting it back. Might also want to get some new tank straps. Mine only had one holding it one and it was ready to go. Good luck __________________ 1974 C25 LWB: 454 4bbl Carb / TH400 / 3.73 1992 Camaro RS 305 TBI

07-26-2003, 02:52 AM	#13
iufan71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Indianapolis,IN Posts: 138	Gas tank replacement Well,i finally got my gas tank replaced,as well as replaced the sending unit. This job can be done by one person and doesnt need the bed to be removed. Cant believe the local service station wanted to charge me $180 to do this job,and that was just for the labor. I was able to reuse both straps. For others out there that need to do this in the future,i did replace both lines to the sending unit also,just as good measure. As well as undercoated the new tank,and used pieces of tire inner tube between the bands and tank. Thanks for all who responded to this post.

07-26-2003, 02:54 AM	#14
iufan71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Indianapolis,IN Posts: 138	Gas tank replacement Also figured out my tranny fluid leak was coming from where the speedo cable goes into the tranny. Amazing what a few turns of the wrench can do. I tightened the connector up,and my leak has disappeared.

07-26-2003, 08:38 AM	#15
77bowtie Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Mexico. Of all places for an Island boy. Posts: 180	Good Deal! Glad you got things fixed up.

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