1955 gas odor in cab on fillup

[ernie22golf]

My 55 2nd series is stock. When I fill up I really have the gas smell in the cab. Now I don't mind it but it really bothers some who ride with me. All hoses appear old but ok, I don't see any leaks anywhere, I bought a new gas cap, didn't seem to help at all. Should I replace all the hoses and the gasket on the guage sending unit? Any tips on doing these things - will they help or is this just the way it is. Also truck didn't come with heater - I thought of just adding a heater core and putting a shutoff in the line - anyone done that to get some heat in cab?
Thanks

[memo43]

I would replace all the gaskets Aand hoses, just because they appear "ok" doesn't mean they are. If you have the smell inside the cab, the just means the cab is filling up with "vapors" in which are flammable themselves. A couple bucks spent on hoses and gaskets are a cheep insurance when dealing with the safety of your self, passengers and truck.
It's a simple process in replacing them, just ensure you disconnect the battery before doing any maintenance
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[G&R's57GMC]

First, Thank You for your service Memo S.

There should be no gas smell in the cab.

Replace the vent and fill hoses.

Check the top of the tank at the sender for stains around the gasket area.

The aftermarket has heaters for under dash or under seat . See Vintage Air.

An under dash with defrost would be a good choice.

[beanyard]

My tank leaked and smelled. I had the leak fixed and replaced all rubber hoses and seals ...no smell anymore
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[1project2many]

Fuel today tends to evaporate easier than in 1955 which tends to keep the tank pressurized longer. Fixing the gaskets and hoses is a must but you may still get some fuel smell. The next step is to check the pressure relief valve built into the cap to make sure it's free to move and works as designed. I seem to remember reading that the valve is intended to open at 6 psi so you might be able to locate one with a lower pressure valve or maybe modify the one you currently have if you continue to have troubles.

Also, try to avoid fuels with ethanol if possible. It causes the galvanizing in the tank to react quickly and can play hell with the brass float.

[mr48chev]

I can't add anything to what the guys already suggested on the the Fuel hoses and gasket for the gas gauge. Napa usually stocks bulk fuel filler hose that you can buy by the inch.

On the heater, as G&R's57GMC suggested, Vintage Air has a nice and small heater only unit for those who don't want air with it. Here is an example of their small one that should work well for a truck cab. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/vt...FcdxQgodzksA2A

Free shipping through Amazon
Vintage Air 50515-VUH Compact Heater : Amazon.com...

[OrrieG]

When you pull the filler hose you will find it probably pretty hard and maybe cracked. That 1-3/8" hose is really hard to come by. I can get it locally for $16 per foot min 1 foot order, it is about the same plus shipping from boat suppliers on line. Most other places want min order of $100. Be careful at Oriellys etc, they have 1-3/8 hose but if you read the fine print it is not certified for fuel use.

[G&R's57GMC]

http://www.fillingstation.com

Has the hose kit DS-421 $ 7.50 , Clamp kit DS-433 $ 9.50 , etc. Take a look.

[Highsider]

Years ago an older neighbor turned a corner too fast and a can of gas he was taking home, on the passenger floor, tipped over.
Something like a heater/ac motor sparked the fumes.
Wasn't much left.

[OrrieG]

Guess I should have said in longer lengths.

[memo43]

Thanks for the support G&R,

Another solution would be a fuel cell, if its in the budget.
Loose the smell, gain the extra storage room.
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[butchp]

untill you get the hose fixed try not to fill to top of hose.

[_Ogre]

i suspect the fuel sender gasket on top of the tank
sometime just snugging the screws helps

[tmoble]

the stock sender gasket is a cork based thing. I never got the gas smell out of my cab till I got rid of it. Was walking through a large tru-value hardware store, saw they had sheets of rubber gasket material. Sort of a 2-ply stuff. thin. Bought it, used the new cork gasket I had as a pattern, made a rubber one. The screw holes aren't spaced evenly, so you have to be careful installing your new gasket. Also, the tiny little copper washers on the screws matter, make sure you have them.

I ended up double-clamping the fill hose, both ends. The gas cap, if it's not in excellent shape it will leak going around a right turn when the tank is full. then the gas runs down the fill pipe, through the big rubber grommet, into the cab.

Did I mention it's sort of a PITA fixing all this stuff?

[Chevette]

Back when that truck was built, there was virtually no consideration for safety. Compared to the present, there was very little traffic on the road, there were way fewer large vehicles such as transport trucks etc. Now there are maniacs coming at you from every direction. Do you really want to keep that bomb in the cab with you? I would rather store my gas at the rear of the truck so that the fool who rear-ended me (because he was texting on his cell phone instead of paying attention) is the one who gets lit up. Stock appearance or Safety? I'm picking safety. And no gas fumes!

[tubbed55]

In a 1955 truck...If you get hit hard enough to crush the tank that is in the cab...then you are not going be alive anyways..

[Chevette]

Originally Posted by tubbed55

In a 1955 truck...If you get hit hard enough to crush the tank that is in the cab...then you are not going be alive anyways..

It doesn't need to be "crushed" to get it leaking. A good bump could start it leaking from any number of areas. Remember how old it is.