Found a weird option 1973 with cable for dual tanks

[1774btcrew]

I was at the wrecking yard yesterday and found a 1973 truck with a cable instead of a switch for dual tanks. It was late in the day and I didn't get to really look it over but I am pretty sure it is factory. I have been around 100s of squares as parts for these are a big part of my business and this is the only one I have ever seen. It mounts right where the electric tank switch mounts on all the other trucks. Was this an early GM style they changed out or did some aftermarket company make these? I don't have any pictures but I will be back there today or tomorrow.

[Keith Seymore]

Sounds aftermarket to me.

We wouldn't do a cable design initially and then follow up with a different design later on (meaning the electrical switching mechanization). Both designs would need to be designed, released, validated, procured and built, which would be too much redundant work for the organization.

K

[83GMCK2500]

I saw in the early early parts catalog...73-77 (I think that is the range) that the EARLY (73-74) 454 trucks had an option for dual tanks and they were cable actuated. There was even a NOS bezel on ebay here last year for the knob.

I have been known to sit down and read through every page of the square body parts catalogs...I know, I'm sick.

[83GMCK2500]

Ah-HA!!!



When I saw the bezel on ebay last year I was like WTH?!?!?!?! A bezel with a ROUND HOLE? So I researched it...that is what I found.

[J Knight]

Interesting! I wonder how hard it would be to find replacement parts for that.
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[Captkaos]

The early ones had a cable, so it is factory. Finding one, near impossible. A friend had one and it was broken. He ended up removing the other tank...

[Keith Seymore]

Geez.

In my defense I didn't start in the truck plant til 1979....



K

[johnnyclack]

I would not choose a cable actuated switch over today’s electric actuated switches;

40 years ago ? yes no question ……..but no way in/the he** would I make that choice today. Even if they were MORSE cables

[Prong]

I've got a buddy's father who has one of these setups in a 73 Cheyenne Super 3/4 ton. All original and still works to my knowledge.

[energy-arc]

My '74 cheyenne super 20 has one. Only one I've ever seen. Still works.

[meatwagon83]

now we wouldnt want anything that works would we? make it electric, so in 10 years none of them will work!! i say this because 9 out of 10 of these systems dont work!

[MusicMan70]

Subscribed and a beautiful 74 energ-arc!

[gramps77]

Originally Posted by meatwagon83

now we wouldnt want anything that works would we? make it electric, so in 10 years none of them will work!! i say this because 9 out of 10 of these systems dont work!

dang, I need to buy a lottery ticket. Mine works great. Although, I like many others, wish BOTH gas needles wouldnt bounce and move around so much.

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by energy-arc

My '74 cheyenne super 20 has one. Only one I've ever seen. Still works.

I noticed in the diagram posted from 83GMCK2500, the dash knob appears to have wires behind it. Does your fuel gauge read the level of the selected tank? Nice looking interior BTW

[energy-arc]

Yes it reads the selected tank. Thanks

[savatreatabvr]

I have a 1973 Custom Deluxe with dual tanks and the cable but my cable lever is behind my right foot (drivers side), when did they start putting them in the dash?

[bigblock73]

My 75 is cable operated
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[johnnyclack]

Originally Posted by meatwagon83

now we wouldnt want anything that works would we? make it electric, so in 10 years none of them will work!! i say this because 9 out of 10 of these systems dont work!

AMEN"

Electronics has gained Two- to-One.

In the last forty years electronics has gained a full century (100 years) from where we were in 197+

Mechanical did not fail,..... at least for a while

[KrazyRay]

I have dismantled 2 74 trucks with the cable switch and I have the parts from the last one. I think the cable is more reliable than the electric.

[1774btcrew]

Originally Posted by KrazyRay

I have dismantled 2 74 trucks with the cable switch and I have the parts from the last one. I think the cable is more reliable than the electric.

Did it look like a factory option?
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[1774btcrew]

So weird that there are that many out there and that was the first I had seen. Is it possible there was cable operated and electric at the same time?
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[KrazyRay]

Yes, Its a factory option. I think the early 73 trucks did not have the dual tank option because I've seen a couple with a retrofit driver side tank. Has anyone seen a 73 with a factory tank on the drivers side?

[1774btcrew]

Thanks for all of the info guys! It really does help! For whatever reason they must just not be to common here in AZ.

[cory d]

ah man i need that now ha

[rustyrodknocker]

Originally Posted by johnnyclack

AMEN"

Electronics has gained Two- to-One.

In the last forty years electronics has gained a full century (100 years) from where we were in 197+

Mechanical did not fail,..... at least for a while

Ok, I'm game for this, since I'm still warmed up from my tiraid on 60-66 the other day ill skip the part about tv's and phones only having a fraction of the life expectancy they had 50 years ago and get on to the trucks . My newest vehicle owned is my 87 dually a decade newer than my 76 that is a decade newer than my 66. I've owned nothing but old yet I deal with a late model fleet of chevs daily my work truck included an 05. One of the older in the fleet. And I'm here to say it loud and proud your automotive electrical is not one iota more dependable than the stuff from 45 years ago period. Don't mean to be rude but that is reality. It may be far more capable but I would not say it is even as reliable. Considering the old stuff has had half a century to decay . I won't waste any bandwidth defending those tank switches though. I will state I have three trucks that still have functioning units .but I would have went with a manual valve.
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