Poll: Steel fuel tank or Polyethylene fuel tank and why? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

2badgn · 01-22-2011, 10:07 AM

I might have to replace the fuel tank in my 1984 GMC Sierra 3500 Single rear wheel 2wd Pickup. It has one fuel tank and I think its a 16 gallon.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of steel fuel tanks and Polyethylene fuel tanks?

Thanks

**old Rusty C10** · 01-22-2011, 10:44 AM

steel will rust out in 20 plus years... polyethelyne is not as strong and more expensive... ID stick with stock. In our area advanced sells em cheapest and you can upgrade to a 20 gallon without any hassle.You will need to locate the proper fill hoses but the rest just works out fine ive done this before

GM72K10 · 01-22-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2badgn

I might have to replace the fuel tank in my 1984 GMC Sierra 3500 Single rear wheel 2wd Pickup. It has one fuel tank and I think its a 16 gallon.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of steel fuel tanks and Polyethylene fuel tanks?

Thanks

Why do you think its a 16 gallon? They were only available on shortbed pickups that year Even the duel tank option was for 2 20 gallon tanks unless you had a shortbed i.e. CK10703 then it was two 16 gallon tanks.

2badgn · 01-22-2011, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GM72K10

Why do you think its a 16 gallon? They were only available on shortbed pickups that year Even the duel tank option was for 2 20 gallon tanks unless you had a shortbed i.e. CK10703 then it was two 16 gallon tanks.

My truck is at the shop now but I will measure the tank. I thought it was a 16 gallon bc of the gas receipt from the service station but then again I dont know if the gas gauge is 100 % accurate.

edge · 01-22-2011, 05:16 PM

Polyethylene....1/4" thick! I have two, they been doing fine for years.

rayfinseats · 01-22-2011, 07:27 PM

steel will rust out in 20 plus years... poly will rust out NEVER.

andrewmp6 · 01-23-2011, 01:56 AM

I like poly they are used a lot in newer cars and trucks they are thick and hard to put a hole in it.

cableguy0 · 01-23-2011, 02:07 AM

poly doesnt rust. safety isnt a factor. Every manufacturer uses poly tanks in new cars. The nhra allows poly tanks in drag cars. I would go poly.

donut · 01-23-2011, 03:05 PM

I voted and went with the poly. I believe the cost difference was about 20.00.
At least that's one thing I won't have to worry about rusting out.

snapdaddy · 01-23-2011, 06:14 PM

where do you get a Polyethylene fuel tank at

*lakeroadster* · 01-23-2011, 07:02 PM

Here is another thread, same topic: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=282017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevyholic

I say steel. Depending on the mfg process of the poly there is a chance that all of the additives in the new gas can eat away at the inner lining and cause you fuel pump issues. I had a poly tank a few years back and I went through 5 fuel pumps before finally just replacing the poly tank and no more fuel pump issues. The lining was coming up and clogging the fuel pump until it stopped working. Serious PITA.

It goes without saying that I'm sure there are many people out there that have been running them for years without issue, but I'll never go back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crews

I vote steel.

I had put a poly tank in my 72 crew cab and I wasn't very pleased with the fit nor did I like how easily it was distorted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

Polly or steel, it is up to you. However the poly tank is a lot tougher than the steel tank. Polyethylene tanks are produced from extreemly tough cross linked polyethylene. Polyethylene by itself is impervious to everything but fire. Even battery acid doesn't penetrate it and Cross linked Polyethylene is extreemly impact resistant!! MTS (The poly tank manufacturer) makes the tanks to twice as thick as DOT requires them to be, so believe me when I say it can take a big impact without rupturing. The hottest heat of the Desert South can not warp it. (Unless it hit more than 400 degrees or hotter!!) Anyone who has warped a tank, either didn't have it vented correctly and it only warped temperately while under suction pressure, or parked it over a fire. Most of your new cars all have poly tanks now and they are holding up just fine. Actually they hold up better than steel, because they do not rust!! They do not have a protective liner inside because they do not need one. Unlike steel to keep it from rusting.. Do what you want, but my vote gets poly!! (And I do sell both) WES

S10Fan · 01-23-2011, 09:25 PM

I say plastic. The fuel we buy isn't going to get any better, the plastic will never corrode due to junk gas.

andrewmp6 · 01-24-2011, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snapdaddy

where do you get a Polyethylene fuel tank at

http://www.gmcpauls.com/fuel_tank_related1.htm

Goldfinger · 01-27-2011, 12:50 PM

Steel all the way. They won't melt or puncture. The rust issue can be controlled by occasionally topping off the tank.

View Poll Results: Steel or Polyethylene Fuel Tank?
Steel	9	47.37%
Polyethylene	10	52.63%
Voters: 19. You may not vote on this poll

01-22-2011, 10:07 AM	#1
2badgn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Yonkers, NY Posts: 277	Poll: Steel fuel tank or Polyethylene fuel tank and why? I might have to replace the fuel tank in my 1984 GMC Sierra 3500 Single rear wheel 2wd Pickup. It has one fuel tank and I think its a 16 gallon. What are the advantages and disadvantages of steel fuel tanks and Polyethylene fuel tanks? Thanks

01-22-2011, 10:44 AM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	Re: Poll: Steel fuel tank or Polyethylene fuel tank and why? steel will rust out in 20 plus years... polyethelyne is not as strong and more expensive... ID stick with stock. In our area advanced sells em cheapest and you can upgrade to a 20 gallon without any hassle.You will need to locate the proper fill hoses but the rest just works out fine ive done this before __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

01-22-2011, 05:16 PM	#5
edge Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: ky Posts: 89	Re: Poll: Steel fuel tank or Polyethylene fuel tank and why? Polyethylene....1/4" thick! I have two, they been doing fine for years.

01-22-2011, 07:27 PM	#6
rayfinseats Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: sioux city, iowa Posts: 619	Re: Poll: Steel fuel tank or Polyethylene fuel tank and why? steel will rust out in 20 plus years... poly will rust out NEVER.

01-23-2011, 01:56 AM	#7
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: Poll: Steel fuel tank or Polyethylene fuel tank and why? I like poly they are used a lot in newer cars and trucks they are thick and hard to put a hole in it.

01-23-2011, 02:07 AM	#8
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: Poll: Steel fuel tank or Polyethylene fuel tank and why? poly doesnt rust. safety isnt a factor. Every manufacturer uses poly tanks in new cars. The nhra allows poly tanks in drag cars. I would go poly. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

01-23-2011, 03:05 PM	#9
donut Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,593	Re: Poll: Steel fuel tank or Polyethylene fuel tank and why? I voted and went with the poly. I believe the cost difference was about 20.00. At least that's one thing I won't have to worry about rusting out. __________________ '86 C-30 dually, 454/tbh400 '73 K-20 350/350/205 (sold ) I'm kinda like duct tape- no real purpose, but handy to have around.

01-23-2011, 06:14 PM	#10
snapdaddy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: amarillo tx Posts: 35	Re: Poll: Steel fuel tank or Polyethylene fuel tank and why? where do you get a Polyethylene fuel tank at

01-23-2011, 09:25 PM	#12
S10Fan Old Heap Driver Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Newport News, Va Posts: 2,642	Re: Poll: Steel fuel tank or Polyethylene fuel tank and why? I say plastic. The fuel we buy isn't going to get any better, the plastic will never corrode due to junk gas. __________________ _____________________________ Bryan '99 Silverado 1500, 4.3, 5-speed, reg cab, short bed '50 Chevy 2DR Hard Top, 350/350, M2 Front End, 3:08 gear, cruiser. '40 F**d Sedan, all Chevy power, Heidt's front end, TCI rear, nice driver.

01-27-2011, 12:50 PM	#14
Goldfinger Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: laurel hill Fl Posts: 645	Re: Poll: Steel fuel tank or Polyethylene fuel tank and why? Steel all the way. They won't melt or puncture. The rust issue can be controlled by occasionally topping off the tank. __________________ 1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ] 1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e



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