55.2-59 Stock fuel tank - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jeffs56 · 08-13-2019, 09:28 AM

Hey guys I was wondering what your thoughts are on keeping the stock fuel tank in a 56 Chevy truck. Are they really that bad? Or will it be fine instead of doing the rear tank conversion? I’ve heard of fuel slosh and the smell of fumes but what do you guys think? Thank you

**Rickysnickers** · 08-13-2019, 10:30 AM

Just smelling the fumes alone would make me want to make the change.

_Ogre · 08-13-2019, 02:19 PM

stock tank only smells if the sending unit gasket is worn or the filler/vent rubber leaks
of all the tf trucks i've owned, only 1 had any gas smell in the cab

58CameoAZ · 08-13-2019, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Ogre

stock tank only smells if the sending unit gasket is worn or the filler/vent rubber leaks
of all the tf trucks i've owned, only 1 had any gas smell in the cab

I am with Ogre also, and the only time i had a gas smell was when i had found out the previous owner left a Sheet metal screw under the tank and it wore a hole into the tank and leaked, after fixing it i never had an issue of gas fumes
or such.

Allen

**mr48chev** · 08-13-2019, 03:39 PM

I'm thinking it is actually split half and half (restored stock trucks not included) between keeping the tank behind the seat and putting it under the bed.

Having the tank behind the seat lets you hang the spare under the bed in the original spot and or makes running exhaust easier.

Putting the tank under the bed"
frees up room behind the seat for speakers and storage. Makes for a nice hide stuff box place to stick things like your camera or your wife's purse out of sight. Lets you have a spot for a tool bag.

No worry about smells or fumes inside the cab and no issues with gas spilling down the side of the cab on your new paint job.
Ability to put in a larger capacity tank or a tank set up for Fi.

Minuses/deltas:
tanks hang down rather low
spare has to be hauled in the bed or another spot found for it or depend on your buddy or AAA card.
With some tank installs exhaust can be a real headache.

When I picked up my 9 inch Saturday we also took the gas tank out of the 74 F-150 that was actually above the spare. Tank might be too wide for some frames but Ford hangs their spare below that tank on their trucks.

**bosco** · 08-13-2019, 06:20 PM

Agree, it's spilt fairly evenly. I don't think the fumes are an issue if all the gaskets are new or in good shape. For me, I decided to go for a larger tank (22 gallons) under the bed.

Foot Stomper · 08-13-2019, 08:31 PM

I almost regret relocating my tank...almost.
The added cargo space was my goal when removing the stock tank. Not smell or "safety"... but it added expense, fn around with routing fuel lines, calibration of the potentiometer etc. Added fuel capacity was important, but not anymore as I don't drive the truck for 5 or 6 hours at a time on the highway without stopping for a pee.
I said "almost" regret it, but at the end of day, I make use of the added cargo space as was my initial reason. Otherwise, I'd say it wasn't worth it.

*Jesse Z* · 08-13-2019, 09:47 PM

I remember a friend who had the rear axle break on his GTO. As he slid down the highway dragging his tail in a shower of sparks he said all he could think about was that rear gas tank scraping through on the pavement...

Rear fuel tank is more vulnerable to rear end collisions. Every accident I've been in in my life has been one form of rear-ender or another. Stock location is near the center of the vehicle and thus is the most protected location surrounded by crumple zones.

And regarding smell - if you have a smell you have a leak. Good thing you had that gas tank where you could sniff an early warning rather than out back where the otherwise unnoticed leak ultimately dripped onto a hot exhaust pipe.

jeffs56 · 08-14-2019, 09:41 AM

Thank you for the posts that’s a lot of good points. Sounds like if everything is good on the stock tank then it works well. But downside you lose cargo space. Do you also lose seat space? Will the seat slide back further?

_Ogre · 08-14-2019, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffs56

Do you also lose seat space? Will the seat slide back further?

nope. the seat is against the back of the cab anyway

jeffs56 · 08-14-2019, 02:16 PM

My thought is which I could be wrong is, it’s a lot easier to pump gas in the stock location. Instead of having to go either over the bedside or tailgate and leak gas on the bed and bedwood. Cuz we all know how the gas pumps all leak no matter what. And I don’t want to do the side fender fuel door. Decisions decisions

08-13-2019, 09:28 AM	#1
jeffs56 Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bakersfield California Posts: 302	Stock fuel tank Hey guys I was wondering what your thoughts are on keeping the stock fuel tank in a 56 Chevy truck. Are they really that bad? Or will it be fine instead of doing the rear tank conversion? I’ve heard of fuel slosh and the smell of fumes but what do you guys think? Thank you

08-13-2019, 10:30 AM	#2
Rickysnickers Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Eagle, ID Posts: 3,137	Re: Stock fuel tank Just smelling the fumes alone would make me want to make the change.

08-13-2019, 02:19 PM	#3
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Stock fuel tank stock tank only smells if the sending unit gasket is worn or the filler/vent rubber leaks of all the tf trucks i've owned, only 1 had any gas smell in the cab __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

08-13-2019, 03:39 PM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,817	Re: Stock fuel tank I'm thinking it is actually split half and half (restored stock trucks not included) between keeping the tank behind the seat and putting it under the bed. Having the tank behind the seat lets you hang the spare under the bed in the original spot and or makes running exhaust easier. Putting the tank under the bed" frees up room behind the seat for speakers and storage. Makes for a nice hide stuff box place to stick things like your camera or your wife's purse out of sight. Lets you have a spot for a tool bag. No worry about smells or fumes inside the cab and no issues with gas spilling down the side of the cab on your new paint job. Ability to put in a larger capacity tank or a tank set up for Fi. Minuses/deltas: tanks hang down rather low spare has to be hauled in the bed or another spot found for it or depend on your buddy or AAA card. With some tank installs exhaust can be a real headache. When I picked up my 9 inch Saturday we also took the gas tank out of the 74 F-150 that was actually above the spare. Tank might be too wide for some frames but Ford hangs their spare below that tank on their trucks. __________________ 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.

08-13-2019, 06:20 PM	#6
bosco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Temescal Valley, CA Posts: 234	Re: Stock fuel tank Agree, it's spilt fairly evenly. I don't think the fumes are an issue if all the gaskets are new or in good shape. For me, I decided to go for a larger tank (22 gallons) under the bed.

08-13-2019, 08:31 PM	#7
Foot Stomper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 1,252	Re: Stock fuel tank I almost regret relocating my tank...almost. The added cargo space was my goal when removing the stock tank. Not smell or "safety"... but it added expense, fn around with routing fuel lines, calibration of the potentiometer etc. Added fuel capacity was important, but not anymore as I don't drive the truck for 5 or 6 hours at a time on the highway without stopping for a pee. I said "almost" regret it, but at the end of day, I make use of the added cargo space as was my initial reason. Otherwise, I'd say it wasn't worth it. __________________ So when is this "Old enough to know better" supposed to kick in? My 1959 GMC build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=686989

08-13-2019, 09:47 PM	#8
Jesse Z Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 290	Re: Stock fuel tank I remember a friend who had the rear axle break on his GTO. As he slid down the highway dragging his tail in a shower of sparks he said all he could think about was that rear gas tank scraping through on the pavement... Rear fuel tank is more vulnerable to rear end collisions. Every accident I've been in in my life has been one form of rear-ender or another. Stock location is near the center of the vehicle and thus is the most protected location surrounded by crumple zones. And regarding smell - if you have a smell you have a leak. Good thing you had that gas tank where you could sniff an early warning rather than out back where the otherwise unnoticed leak ultimately dripped onto a hot exhaust pipe.

08-14-2019, 09:41 AM	#9
jeffs56 Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bakersfield California Posts: 302	Re: Stock fuel tank Thank you for the posts that’s a lot of good points. Sounds like if everything is good on the stock tank then it works well. But downside you lose cargo space. Do you also lose seat space? Will the seat slide back further?

08-14-2019, 02:16 PM	#11
jeffs56 Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bakersfield California Posts: 302	Re: Stock fuel tank My thought is which I could be wrong is, it’s a lot easier to pump gas in the stock location. Instead of having to go either over the bedside or tailgate and leak gas on the bed and bedwood. Cuz we all know how the gas pumps all leak no matter what. And I don’t want to do the side fender fuel door. Decisions decisions



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