Gas tank -- replace or move under the bed? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**gigamanx** · 12-19-2016, 02:45 PM

Hey all, I just got my project running and idling in the garage with a makeshift fuel funnel. When I bought the truck, the fuel line was disconnected and I think I now know why. Once I knew the truck ran, I pulled the sending unit off the cab gas tank to find a pretty healthy amount of rust inside. The sending unit came out almost in pieces it was so rusted.

Instead of trying to save the tank, I have the option of 1. Replacing for about $200 with sending unit and OEM cab mounted tank or 2. Springing a few hundred more for a bed mounted tank.

Since this project will probably get an S10 swap in the next year, do I just do the cheap dirty approach for now or is there some unknown-to-me reason I should spend the extra and move the tank?

HUSSEY · 12-19-2016, 03:20 PM

Personally, I just never liked the idea of a gas tank inside the cab. It's hard to decide what to do if you plan on doing a S10 swap in the future. With the S10 swap you could re-use the S10 tank (that's what I did). I would opt to try and get your existing tank cleaned out and make use of it for now rather than spend $$$ on something you may/may not use in the future.

72Mountaineer · 12-19-2016, 10:07 PM

Before you put the tank in the rear between the frame rails, think of how you would run your exhaust. You shouldn't (but some do) run the pipes under the tank, so plan for the right size or run the pipes out the sides.

tmoble · 12-20-2016, 04:03 AM

Before you put the tank in the rear between the frame rails, think about the fact that the most popular type of accident is the rear-ender. Fact is, inside the cab is by far the safest place for a tank. The smell? ditch the stupid cork gasket, make one out of a piece of rubber sheet gasket material.

**gigamanx** · 12-20-2016, 01:32 PM

Thanks all. Didn't consider all the fabrication needed to move the tank. I might start out by trying out the vinegar and some washers and shake it around a bit. See if it can be salvaged since there isn't any noticeable bubbling on the outside paint. Just nasty looking inside.

Jemezcrusher · 12-20-2016, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigamanx

Thanks all. Didn't consider all the fabrication needed to move the tank. I might start out by trying out the vinegar and some washers and shake it around a bit. See if it can be salvaged since there isn't any noticeable bubbling on the outside paint. Just nasty looking inside.

Radiator shop could boil it out for you, or you could use some muratic acid diluted somewhat with some gravel inside to roll around in it

**mr48chev** · 12-20-2016, 11:18 PM

One of the problems with these trucks is that if they are left sitting anywhere for a length of time it always seems that the gas cap comes up missing unless it's so ugly no one would want it.

Until you figure out what you want to do with it in the long run I'd say cleaning the tank out and putting an inline filter between the tank and the fuel pump and carrying a couple extra filters along would be the prudent thing to do. Then you have time to decide what you want to do later.

**Dan in Pasadena** · 12-20-2016, 11:19 PM

Take the tank out of the cab.

Besides the obvious smell & leakage I remember a story "60 Minutes" did a long time ago citing accidents where people burned to death because of them.

The issue WASNT the tank rupturing in an accident. The issue was the rubber connecting the tank to the filler neck getting rock hard over years and it would shatter in a relatively minor accident. Then fuel would slosh all over. Not worth the risk, even if you think it's minor and especially if you take your family in the truck. Personally, I can think of nothing worse than burning to death.

PS: The wrecking yard is your friend. I'm certain you can find a late model used tank that will work just fine for very few bucks.

nvrdone · 12-20-2016, 11:26 PM

maybe look at putting a tank from a '48 or a suburban in. they fit on the right frame rail under the bed. im looking at one on both sides - saddle tank style

dsraven · 12-20-2016, 11:44 PM

measure up the space you have then take a tape to the wrecker and start looking. if you plan on an s10 convert then try an s10 tank. maybe it will work.you could always do an "in the box" tank for temp use or fab something up. like said, a rad shop can also boil out the old one but you also run the chance of pinhole leakage after. replace that rubber hose if you re-use the cab tank, as well as the rubber it sits on. inline filter somewhere accessable as well.

12-19-2016, 02:45 PM	#1
gigamanx Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Hershey, PA Posts: 1,004	Gas tank -- replace or move under the bed? Hey all, I just got my project running and idling in the garage with a makeshift fuel funnel. When I bought the truck, the fuel line was disconnected and I think I now know why. Once I knew the truck ran, I pulled the sending unit off the cab gas tank to find a pretty healthy amount of rust inside. The sending unit came out almost in pieces it was so rusted. Instead of trying to save the tank, I have the option of 1. Replacing for about $200 with sending unit and OEM cab mounted tank or 2. Springing a few hundred more for a bed mounted tank. Since this project will probably get an S10 swap in the next year, do I just do the cheap dirty approach for now or is there some unknown-to-me reason I should spend the extra and move the tank?

12-19-2016, 03:20 PM	#2
HUSSEY Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Kansas City Posts: 572	Re: Gas tank -- replace or move under the bed? Personally, I just never liked the idea of a gas tank inside the cab. It's hard to decide what to do if you plan on doing a S10 swap in the future. With the S10 swap you could re-use the S10 tank (that's what I did). I would opt to try and get your existing tank cleaned out and make use of it for now rather than spend $$$ on something you may/may not use in the future. __________________ My 49 AD Build / S10 Chassis -- Thread -- Pictures -- S10 Conversion Mounts

12-19-2016, 10:07 PM	#3
72Mountaineer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where Mountaineers are free Posts: 406	Re: Gas tank -- replace or move under the bed? Before you put the tank in the rear between the frame rails, think of how you would run your exhaust. You shouldn't (but some do) run the pipes under the tank, so plan for the right size or run the pipes out the sides.

12-20-2016, 04:03 AM	#4
tmoble Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Glendale, Az Posts: 1,062	Re: Gas tank -- replace or move under the bed? Before you put the tank in the rear between the frame rails, think about the fact that the most popular type of accident is the rear-ender. Fact is, inside the cab is by far the safest place for a tank. The smell? ditch the stupid cork gasket, make one out of a piece of rubber sheet gasket material.

12-20-2016, 01:32 PM	#5
gigamanx Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Hershey, PA Posts: 1,004	Re: Gas tank -- replace or move under the bed? Thanks all. Didn't consider all the fabrication needed to move the tank. I might start out by trying out the vinegar and some washers and shake it around a bit. See if it can be salvaged since there isn't any noticeable bubbling on the outside paint. Just nasty looking inside.

12-20-2016, 11:18 PM	#7
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,715	Re: Gas tank -- replace or move under the bed? One of the problems with these trucks is that if they are left sitting anywhere for a length of time it always seems that the gas cap comes up missing unless it's so ugly no one would want it. Until you figure out what you want to do with it in the long run I'd say cleaning the tank out and putting an inline filter between the tank and the fuel pump and carrying a couple extra filters along would be the prudent thing to do. Then you have time to decide what you want to do later. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

12-20-2016, 11:19 PM	#8
Dan in Pasadena Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 6,344	Re: Gas tank -- replace or move under the bed? Take the tank out of the cab. Besides the obvious smell & leakage I remember a story "60 Minutes" did a long time ago citing accidents where people burned to death because of them. The issue WASNT the tank rupturing in an accident. The issue was the rubber connecting the tank to the filler neck getting rock hard over years and it would shatter in a relatively minor accident. Then fuel would slosh all over. Not worth the risk, even if you think it's minor and especially if you take your family in the truck. Personally, I can think of nothing worse than burning to death. PS: The wrecking yard is your friend. I'm certain you can find a late model used tank that will work just fine for very few bucks. __________________ '55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda!

12-20-2016, 11:26 PM	#9
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,482	Re: Gas tank -- replace or move under the bed? maybe look at putting a tank from a '48 or a suburban in. they fit on the right frame rail under the bed. im looking at one on both sides - saddle tank style

12-20-2016, 11:44 PM	#10
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 8,337	Re: Gas tank -- replace or move under the bed? measure up the space you have then take a tape to the wrecker and start looking. if you plan on an s10 convert then try an s10 tank. maybe it will work.you could always do an "in the box" tank for temp use or fab something up. like said, a rad shop can also boil out the old one but you also run the chance of pinhole leakage after. replace that rubber hose if you re-use the cab tank, as well as the rubber it sits on. inline filter somewhere accessable as well.



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