Fuel tank U-bolt - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Chevyman63 · 12-03-2008, 08:02 AM

When I pulled my tank I twisted both ends of it off. Does someone make these or are most of you just using nuts and bolts to replace them?

71jimmy · 12-04-2008, 03:26 AM

Are you talking about the "J" bolts that hold the pass. side of the straps for the tank?

If so, they come with the tank when you buy a new one. And I see LMC also sells just the straps and bolts. Page 78 of the newest catalog.

I would think that you could find something similar at Home Depot though if your just looking for the bolts.

Good Luck!

Chevyman63 · 12-04-2008, 08:01 AM

I looked at LMC and saw what you are talking about. My straps, which I believe to be original but I could be wrong, have the j-bolt ends welded to the straps and the other end is a large squared off u-bolt through the frame. I figured the u-bolt was used, as opposed to regular bolts, so that they would be more rigid hanging down from the frame.

I've looked at several board vendors, but have only found the same style that you're referring to.

jaros44sr · 12-04-2008, 08:48 AM

I have the same problem as you, bought a strap off of Classic Ind. several years ago, but it had different ends. My solution will be to use my ends with their straps and just spot weld it back together. If you have SS sheet metal you could make the straps yourself w/ your ends. I'll try to get pics up later today...I'm working on my water pump and don't want to be disturbed

I need to stay focused

jaros44sr · 12-04-2008, 10:46 AM

OK Tim here's some pics of mine on a '72...First pic is what I received from Classic, way wrong, and to short. But, it gave me the idea of building my own straps and riveting on my ends

Chevyman63 · 12-04-2008, 02:56 PM

Believe it or not, my straps are ok. I'm going to sandblast them and repaint, but it's the other end with the holes in it that I'm looking for the u-bolt type of thing that was there originally. I may just go with bolts and call it a day.

BTW, sorry to have disturbed you

...hope the water pump is going ok.

jaros44sr · 12-04-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevyman63

Believe it or not, my straps are ok. I'm going to sandblast them and repaint, but it's the other end with the holes in it that I'm looking for the u-bolt type of thing that was there originally. I may just go with bolts and call it a day.

BTW, sorry to have disturbed you

...hope the water pump is going ok.

No problem, got disturbed anyway! Had to go out and buy the grandson his first set of trains...Lionel, man they have come a long way since I was a kid, we used to wind them up, they have electric now

Got pics, don't quite follow you. My other end just had a bolt going thru it to the frame

Got problems with the water pump

JimKshortstep4x4 · 12-06-2008, 10:17 AM

Tim,

We had the same "U" bolt problem on my son's 72 Blazer. I installed 6" carriage head bolts secured to the frame so that the bolts would hang down like the "U" bolts that were there originally.

With the carriage head bolts the threads were full length which made it easy to install the straps and tighten them up.

Jim

Chevyman63 · 12-06-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimKshortstep4x4

Tim,

We had the same "U" bolt problem on my son's 72 Blazer. I installed 6" carriage head bolts secured to the frame so that the bolts would hang down like the "U" bolts that were there originally.

With the carriage head bolts the threads were full length which made it easy to install the straps and tighten them up.

Jim

Great idea Jim! I didn't think of that.

Thank you very much and I hope everyone is well.

Have a great holiday season.

**pound41** · 12-09-2008, 08:21 AM

I bent a piece of all thread in that shape. A friend took a higher quality piece of steel heated and bent then threaded the ends. We thought there has to be a reason GM went to the trouble to tie both ends together. Maybe to take out and wigggle that would wear a hole in the tank or straps. etc.. Don't know but we went sure so we duplicated

Chevyman63 · 12-09-2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pound41

I bent a piece of all thread in that shape. A friend took a higher quality piece of steel heated and bent then threaded the ends. We thought there has to be a reason GM went to the trouble to tie both ends together. Maybe to take out and wigggle that would wear a hole in the tank or straps. etc.. Don't know but we went sure so we duplicated

That's what I figured, but I think I will take a fully threaded bolt and run a nut tight up to the frame and another lower for the tank straps. This should work out ok. Thanks for the thoughts and ideas.

12-03-2008, 08:02 AM	#1
Chevyman63 Can't wait to retire!! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Corunna, MI Posts: 1,575	Fuel tank U-bolt When I pulled my tank I twisted both ends of it off. Does someone make these or are most of you just using nuts and bolts to replace them? __________________ 2009 4x4 Chevy Crew Cab 6.0 1989 4x4 Siverado (270,000 miles) 1972 4x4 Blazer 2007 Chevy Cutaway 1 ton 1970 Corvette (sons project) RIP - CLR 10/11/09

12-04-2008, 03:26 AM	#2
71jimmy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,084	Re: Fuel tank U-bolt Are you talking about the "J" bolts that hold the pass. side of the straps for the tank? If so, they come with the tank when you buy a new one. And I see LMC also sells just the straps and bolts. Page 78 of the newest catalog. I would think that you could find something similar at Home Depot though if your just looking for the bolts. Good Luck! __________________ '71 Jimmy, 350, SM465, NP205, 2in Tuff Country lift, 33s on rallies, TBI, softtop and hardtop "If life was fair you'd be able to afford one of each and a garage large enough to house them all."

12-04-2008, 08:01 AM	#3
Chevyman63 Can't wait to retire!! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Corunna, MI Posts: 1,575	Re: Fuel tank U-bolt I looked at LMC and saw what you are talking about. My straps, which I believe to be original but I could be wrong, have the j-bolt ends welded to the straps and the other end is a large squared off u-bolt through the frame. I figured the u-bolt was used, as opposed to regular bolts, so that they would be more rigid hanging down from the frame. I've looked at several board vendors, but have only found the same style that you're referring to. __________________ 2009 4x4 Chevy Crew Cab 6.0 1989 4x4 Siverado (270,000 miles) 1972 4x4 Blazer 2007 Chevy Cutaway 1 ton 1970 Corvette (sons project) RIP - CLR 10/11/09

12-04-2008, 08:48 AM	#4
jaros44sr Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,462	Re: Fuel tank U-bolt I have the same problem as you, bought a strap off of Classic Ind. several years ago, but it had different ends. My solution will be to use my ends with their straps and just spot weld it back together. If you have SS sheet metal you could make the straps yourself w/ your ends. I'll try to get pics up later today...I'm working on my water pump and don't want to be disturbedI need to stay focused __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim Last edited by jaros44sr; 12-04-2008 at 08:49 AM.

12-04-2008, 10:46 AM	#5
jaros44sr Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,462	Re: Fuel tank U-bolt OK Tim here's some pics of mine on a '72...First pic is what I received from Classic, way wrong, and to short. But, it gave me the idea of building my own straps and riveting on my ends __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim Last edited by jaros44sr; 12-04-2008 at 10:59 AM.

12-04-2008, 02:56 PM	#6
Chevyman63 Can't wait to retire!! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Corunna, MI Posts: 1,575	Re: Fuel tank U-bolt Believe it or not, my straps are ok. I'm going to sandblast them and repaint, but it's the other end with the holes in it that I'm looking for the u-bolt type of thing that was there originally. I may just go with bolts and call it a day. BTW, sorry to have disturbed you ...hope the water pump is going ok. __________________ 2009 4x4 Chevy Crew Cab 6.0 1989 4x4 Siverado (270,000 miles) 1972 4x4 Blazer 2007 Chevy Cutaway 1 ton 1970 Corvette (sons project) RIP - CLR 10/11/09

12-06-2008, 10:17 AM	#8
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Fuel tank U-bolt Tim, We had the same "U" bolt problem on my son's 72 Blazer. I installed 6" carriage head bolts secured to the frame so that the bolts would hang down like the "U" bolts that were there originally. With the carriage head bolts the threads were full length which made it easy to install the straps and tighten them up. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

12-09-2008, 08:21 AM	#10
pound41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,269	Re: Fuel tank U-bolt I bent a piece of all thread in that shape. A friend took a higher quality piece of steel heated and bent then threaded the ends. We thought there has to be a reason GM went to the trouble to tie both ends together. Maybe to take out and wigggle that would wear a hole in the tank or straps. etc.. Don't know but we went sure so we duplicated



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