Gas tank removal?

[Slofarmtruck]

I will be installing a new gas tank on my 86 C10 long bed truck this coming weekend and am looking for some advice on the best route to take. My biggest challenge is the plastic cover that surrounds the current gas tank. Does this cover just unbolt? I currently have a 3 line sending unit and since I removed my emmissions components on my truck do I need to order another 3 line unit or will the 2 line unit work? or am I not thinking this 3 line 2 line thing properly. I hope this all makes sense. I just figured the 3 line was a supply, return and vent for emmissions, and the 2 line was a supply and return. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[HOGDADDY]

The plastic piece unbolts. If you 2 line would need a vented gas cap I believe.

I found a black gas cap stuck in between that plastic piece and tank.....maybe it was done at factory?


I replaced my tank and went with stock 3 line sender with no problems and have emission disconnected.

I also took the bed off for better access on my 86 to the tank it made life easier in long run.

[ray_mcavoy]

Hi Slofarmtruck,

I think all the sending units have a vent line. In other words:

2-line sending unit = feed & vent (no return). 3-line sending unit = feed, vent, and return.

Both my dad's 77 and my rusty 77 plow truck have the "heavy duty" emissions systems (no cats, no egr, no canisters ... etc). They both have 3-line sending units. But the vent lines (that would go to a canister on a "light duty" emission setup) just have a short piece of rubber hose coming off the sending units leading to plastic vent caps just like the ones used for axle & transfer case vents.

[ggtsvnv]

one thing you might do and it helped me was bolt the plastic cover on the tank first. Then put the tank in, I found it easier then trying to put it on after the tank was in place.

[Rogue_Sentinel]

take the bed off

[Slofarmtruck]

Thanks for the advice. I ordered my new gas tank and went with the standard 3 line sending unit. I am hoping the parts arrive by this weekend. SO is the bed held in place by just 6 nuts? I know I will need to disconnect the tail lights and fuel filler neck and is that it? Seems to easy lol....which means its probably not.

[dgodecke]

Originally Posted by Rogue_Sentinel

take the bed off

Cutting torch and ear plugs.

[6772fan]

Another vote for removing the bed. Yes, it;s the 6 bolts and fuel filler neck, plus the electrical at the rear. Also double check right above your differential as it may have a vent hose connected to the bottom of the bed. Bed is not light, but 2-3 strong guys can handle it. I used a cherry picker to lift mine.

[Slofarmtruck]

Well new gas tank and sender arrived today! Hooray for 1 day shipping. Tried working on loosening one bed bolt and failed so a big torch will have to be brought home from work as removing the bed just seems the easiest. Plus it will allow me to clean my rear frame and paint it.

[tucsonjwt]

I used two concrete blocks and stacked 2x4s laid flat until they were snug up against the bottom of the tank. Remove the plastic cover first, loosen the bolts on the straps, remove the 2x4s one at a time until the tank clears the truck. Reinstall tank, make sure to use the anti-squeak pads. If you don't have a vapor recovery cannister, then one line has a short hose and plastic cap for venting (shows a black cap on center tube on fuel sending unit in picture below.)

[skhurst18]

Looks like you just did the same thing I did, but I upgraded my tanks from 16 gallon to 20 gallon. I am having a problem finding the 20 gallon cover for the passenger side tank. I found the driver side cover at a pullapart last week for 5 dollars. I can't seem to find the proper name for this part to find on any auto parts websites.

[Slofarmtruck]

I like the idea of painting the tank. Looks like you used some underbody coating. Great idea!!

[Slofarmtruck]

Well bolts in the bed just spin with the nuts so moved back to just taking the gas tank out and had a small fuel fire which was put out as quickly as possible. Looks like just the fuel that was sitting in between the tank and plastic cover burned. Decided to call it quits while I was still somewhat ahead and am heading to a friends shop with a proper lift to complete this project tonight. So far score is Truck 1 - Me 0!

[skhurst18]

Had the same problem with my hardware on the bed of my truck. Had to cut off nut and bolt with dremel. I replaced all the bed hardware with new galvanized carriage bolts and nuts.

[Slofarmtruck]

I ended up not having to remove the bed as a friend let me use his lift work on my truck. New tank is in and gas gauge works again so I am a happy guy.

[Colesnsty68]

Not to hijack but what is a vent line?

[donut]

Just as the name implies, a vent line. Most everything has to "breathe" some how. My 4x4 has one on each diff, transfer case, transmission and one on my gas tank. I haven't had much luck finding a vented gas cap locally.

Vent is probably a length of hose with a "tophat" fitting on the end. (I don't know how else to describe it)

[tucsonjwt]

I got the vent cap for my differential from Classic Parts. Fortunately, I was able to save the original black vent caps for the gas tanks. If you look closely in the pix above you will see a black cap shoved into the end of a short piece of hose on the middle vent. I found out that these vents come apart in two pieces (cap and stem) and just snap back together. I took them apart to clean them before reinstallation. No clamps needed - just a friction fit inside the hose. Supply, return, and vent tube all take different size hoses.

[jesdude7789]

Originally Posted by skhurst18

Looks like you just did the same thing I did, but I upgraded my tanks from 16 gallon to 20 gallon. I am having a problem finding the 20 gallon cover for the passenger side tank. I found the driver side cover at a pullapart last week for 5 dollars. I can't seem to find the proper name for this part to find on any auto parts websites.

what product did you use on your gas tanks for the coating? i bought some 3M Underbody coating in the spray can and it's disappointing but yours looks alot tougher like LINE X truck bed coating! thanks

[skhurst18]

I used a product by Rusfre called Chunky Stuff. If you decide to use this, remeber to apply lightly on the first coat. It tends to run if you apply heavily after you let it sit and takes longer to cure. Had to touch up a couple of spots. I let it sit for a week before I added 2nd coat. Works and looks great. Here is a link to their website and a pic of the product.

http://raybuck.com/i-68761-rusfre-ch...ercoating.html