66 Pickup original gas tank: pros and cons

[sstpeach]

When I was in the military deploying every year I always had problems with a car garage/business taking advantage of my wife when the car broke. Finally I found this older gent, mid 60's in age, named Cecil, near NAS JRB Ft Worth, TX, who owns and operates his own garage. My wife and I trust Cecil completely so If anyone needs an honest gent to work on their vehicle, contact C&C Auto Service near Lake Worth. Cecil is not in the greatest of health, cancer in remission, go see him, he will treat you like you've wished a garage would treat you!

So I was talking to Cecil the other day about putting in the original gas tank in my 66 Chevy. He said, "That tank worked fine in the day, ......son the only issue was the rubber portion on the gas filler neck would dry out and allow vapors to enter the cab. Change the rubber out every 7-10 years and keep on runnin."

What's everyone's opinion here. I like the look of the gas cap on the cab....is everyone using it or is it decorative and running an under the bed tank? What's the pros and cons please. thanks

[Strodder]

This is a great topic. Personally I don't like the tank in the same place passengers are. If you put a tank under the bed you loose the spare tire space. I think it's worth it though. There is also tanks that fit in the bed. I think those are the only options you have.

[Real_McCoy]

The biggest advantage of removing the tank from the cab is space. Space for a sound system, storage, etc. Some will say safety, but how many incidents of these original tanks blowing have you heard of. My biggest fear is leakage in an accident.

The major cons of relocating the tank is displacement of spare tire and cost.

I will probably relocate for the space. I carry alot of photography gear with me that I have nowhere to store. I am not comfortable in throwing a $5000 camera setup in the bed.

[MacAttack]

Classic Industries - Huntington Beach, has a nice replacement set. Had to replace my complete (because the idiot that stole my rig used a pipe wrench to twist the cap off - instead of just drilling the lock off the cap) assembly: Cap, Hard Neck, Rubber Tube and Clamps (about $45.00).

I’d go with the bed tank, but I’d like to get my rig running sometime in 2009.

[LILRED66]

I have personally owned and driven 15 or more 4-5-6 Chevy trucks with the factory fuel tank in the cab. As stated, the fume issue is usually associated with a poor quality rubber fuel filler neck or poor sealing of the hose clamps. I have replaced them before and experienced zero fume issues.

My thoughts on the issues if involved in an accident are that if you get T-boned hard enough on the driver side or passenger side to compromise the fuel tank, then you probably won't live to tell about it.

The most vulnerable areas of a vehicle are the front, rear and saddle areas...the center of the truck inside the cab is engineered to absorb the most impact, in order to protect the driver/passengers as best as possible, so I don't see a cab mounted fuel tank being a safety concern.

In the demolition derby world, it is mandatory to safely and securely, install the fuel cell inside the passenger compartment.

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by LILRED66

In the demolition derby world, it is mandatory to safely and securely, install the fuel cell inside the passenger compartment.

That sounds like the Los Angeles Freeways.

[Rogue]

The safest place for the tank is behind the seat, but plenty are putting plastic tanks under the rear frame. Go Figure!
Listen to the old timers, there old timers for a reason.

Howdy, from a bit north of you. (FM156)

[retodd7711]

Still can't figure out how the gas tank affects your spare tire mounting??

[Daniel 61 Apache]

I'm leaving mine in the cab. Like you I weighed the option and it just doesn't seem worthwhile to me. I don't care about a bumping stereo, would rather hear the exhaust rumble. Two kick panel speakers are good enough for me. The first truck I ever owned was a 95 GMC Sonoma reg cab. I never used the space behind the seat in that thing. $400 dollars to move it to the bed?.....nah, I'm good. Replace the rubber filler neck and call it good.

Just my $.02

[62 short step]

Originally Posted by retodd7711

Still can't figure out how the gas tank affects your spare tire mounting??

[62 short step]

Originally Posted by retodd7711

Still can't figure out how the gas tank affects your spare tire mounting??

Originally Posted by Daniel 61 Apache

I'm leaving mine in the cab. Like you I weighed the option and it just doesn't seem worthwhile to me. I don't care about a bumping stereo, would rather hear the exhaust rumble. Two kick panel speakers are good enough for me. The first truck I ever owned was a 95 GMC Sonoma reg cab. I never used the space behind the seat in that thing. $400 dollars to move it to the bed?.....nah, I'm good. Replace the rubber filler neck and call it good.

Just my $.02

I agree!

[protrash64]

My tank was already moved. I wouldnt go back, although if I had an original truck it could stay there if I had enough legroom. If you want fuel injection it mite be tough to use the original tank. ..........now that Im thinking about it, I guess Im quite indifferent.

[19GMC63]

hmmm good topic, I'm also indifferent on it.

The only reason I moved my tank to the rear was for seat and storage space... safety wasn't really a factor, but it crossed my mind. There could be certain situations where a saddle-back tank may be safer, but there are definitely certain scenarios where I wouldn't want fuel in the cab with me, say a rollover or something.

Originally Posted by Rogue

The safest place for the tank is behind the seat, but plenty are putting plastic tanks under the rear frame. Go Figure!
Listen to the old timers, there old timers for a reason.

But if this is true, wouldn't it still be there today in new vehicles? Newer vehicles also use polyethylene tanks too, but I imagine it's probably more of a cost factor rather than safety, so I don't know who to believe.

[SSWfleetside]

Good topic.

I'm undecided, but leaning toward rear mounted tank.
Fuel tank in cab = less inside storage
Fuel tank in back frame rails = better rear weight and traction.
not that I plan to drive in snow once I am done.

[protrash64]

SSW made me think of something....if the tank was in the cab and you pulled up to the pump like it was an ATM, you could probably pump gas without getting out in the cold??? Sweet!!! ....or in my case, out of the a/c.

[62 short step]

Originally Posted by protrash64

SSW made me think of something....if the tank was in the cab and you pulled up to the pump like it was an ATM, you could probably pump gas without getting out in the cold??? Sweet!!! ....or in my case, out of the a/c.

Good idea, had'nt tried that yet!

[austex66]

I replaced my filler neck recently, and have had zero fumes after. It also doesn't leak in the cab anymore...go figure. It is a PITA to change this thing out but glad I did!

[joe231]

i have noticed another time when fumes are an issue is when fueling up, if you have the windows down, anyway....


Jeff....that would be a funny site

what ever happened to full-service?
I haven't seen one of those stations in for-ever

I know that several years ago you were not allowed to pump your own gas in Washington state, it was against the law

sorry for the side-tracking thread-'jack

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by joe231

sorry for the side-tracking thread-'jack

No your not.....

[joe231]

ok....ya got me

[protrash64]

Joe, we get quite a few of those Washington snowbirds and Ive heard of some younger people dont know how to pump gas (chicks anyway).

[LILRED66]

In the state of Oregon, you are not allowed to pump your own fuel.

[shrunken66stroker]

I had fumes and it turned out to be more than that by the time I realized it. Fuel was leaking into the cab when I would set the pump and leave it to fill the tank. The down pressure of the handle would push up at the nozzle and eventually created a crack in the rubber filler hose. Definitely replace it every few years, especially in a dry climate like the desert SW.

I wouldn't give a second thought about moving the tank for safety reasons unless you're 4 wheeling and there's a chance you could put it on the roof.

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by LILRED66

In the state of Oregon, you are not allowed to pump your own fuel.

I knew it was one of those up there..........

[joe231]

Oregon, that's right, dunno why I said Wash.