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Replacement Gas Tank - 78 K10

C

Cubman

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I'm looking for a replacement gas tank for my '78 lwb K10. I don't want to switch to a fuel cell because I haul mulch with this truck. I went to rock-auto.com and found a spectra premium 20 gallon tank for $80 and a spectra premium sending unit for $47.

The same tank is $105.99 from O'Reillys, so I will come out ahead even with shipping.

Can anyone suggest a better option? My tank is rusted from the inside out, too far gone to just put a sealer on the inside. I've seen tanks at the junkyard, but every one of them has the cap off so I'm sure they're rusting on the inside.
 
If you are going to be doing some good out in the boonies camping or wheeling, consider getting a bigger tank. I went with a tank from these guys: http://www.nwmp.com/ I like having the extra capacity. If you are concerned with price and capacity isn't an issue, just go with a new plastic one since the NWMP ones are pricey.
 
The problem with those replacement tanks is they are bare metal usally. They rust soooo fast, well, here in MI they do.
The best solution I found for rusty tanks is the Gas Tank Renu system. They sandblast and fix any holes in your tank, then dunk it in this special expoxy stuff and it coats it inside and out.
Find a dealer near you, they usally only charge $100-$125 with them pulling it out and doing the work too. If you take it out and take it to them, it's less. Tanks for our trucks they usally 'stock' too, so chances are you won't even have to wait for them to do yours, they'll just give you another already done one off the shelf.
I've done this with every older vehicle I've ever owned and the tank far outlasts the vehicle. It's a great system if there's a dealer you can get to. I had a super rusted tank on my C10, I had them renu it plus bought a 2nd brand new already renu-d tank from them, those have been on my C10 for the last 4 years here in MI, with over 100,000mi on them, they still look brand new. rust can't form with this coating, it's great.

http://www.gastankrenu.com
 
Mine came well painted, but I am in California and rust here is not as much of a problem. You can always add paint before the install as well. If rust is a huge problem, the plastic tanks are the way to go I think.
 
Regular painted gas tanks last about a month on the roads in the winter time here. The paint strips right off from the salt spray as your driving. Rust forms within hours, when I was younger back in, oh I think it was '89 or so, I replaced a tank on my '76 Malibu, I painted the bejebus out of it before I put it on, it was rusted thru in half a winters time. That's when I found the Renu system.

The plastic ones are nice, but don't those cost alot more?
 
Most of the plastic ones out here are actually cheaper than the metal ones. That is some harsh winters that can peel paint like that. There must be some kind of paint that would last longer. Of course, who wants to put a ton of money into a paint job on a gas tank.....
 
The metal tanks from LMC are galvanized for the early trucks, but don't say anything for the later stuff. Mine was electro plated with something to prevent rust.
 
Desert Rat said:
If you are going to be doing some good out in the boonies camping or wheeling, consider getting a bigger tank. I went with a tank from these guys: I like having the extra capacity. If you are concerned with price and capacity isn't an issue, just go with a new plastic one since the NWMP ones are pricey.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link, those are a little spendy for me. 18 and saving for college.
73k5blazer said:
The problem with those replacement tanks is they are bare metal usally. They rust soooo fast, well, here in MI they do.
The best solution I found for rusty tanks is the Gas Tank Renu system. They sandblast and fix any holes in your tank, then dunk it in this special expoxy stuff and it coats it inside and out.
Find a dealer near you, they usally only charge $100-$125 with them pulling it out and doing the work too. If you take it out and take it to them, it's less. Tanks for our trucks they usally 'stock' too, so chances are you won't even have to wait for them to do yours, they'll just give you another already done one off the shelf.
I've done this with every older vehicle I've ever owned and the tank far outlasts the vehicle. It's a great system if there's a dealer you can get to. I had a super rusted tank on my C10, I had them renu it plus bought a 2nd brand new already renu-d tank from them, those have been on my C10 for the last 4 years here in MI, with over 100,000mi on them, they still look brand new. rust can't form with this coating, it's great.
Click to expand...
Cool link, if there was a dealer in Tennesee I would definitely go that route.
Desert Rat said:
Most of the plastic ones out here are actually cheaper than the metal ones. That is some harsh winters that can peel paint like that. There must be some kind of paint that would last longer. Of course, who wants to put a ton of money into a paint job on a gas tank.....
Click to expand...
Where can I find a plastic tank? I have not come across one in my search so far.

Thanks for all the responses.
 
I bought a spectra premium for a 78 K5. It was made in Canada. Not some cheap china copy. It was well made. It came with a rust preventative coding and looked just like OEM. The seams are better then oem between the two stampings. The sending unit was made in china and was cheap. It is possible to replace the sock with an OEM sock if that is all that is bad with your sending unit.

http://www.spectrapremium.com/spectra.html
 
Thanks, wazzabie. Was your tank silver in color like the one at rock auto?

info.rock auto.com/SPI//m_gm1a.jpg

The gas gauge is non functioning, and when I tested the sender with my multimeter I couldn't find a change in resistance. I could try and clean up the contacts, but when I drop the tank (for the 2nd time :rolleyes:) I would rather just replace it. Did the sending unit look cheap, or feel cheap?
 
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I just put a Spectra sending unit in my blazer tank last week, and it was every bit as stout as what was in there. The wiring for the level sender was actually done better than what I pulled out.
 
Cubman said:
Thanks, wazzabie. Was your tank silver in color like the one at rock auto?

info.rock auto.com/SPI//m_gm1a.jpg

The gas gauge is non functioning, and when I tested the sender with my multimeter I couldn't find a change in resistance. I could try and clean up the contacts, but when I drop the tank (for the 2nd time :rolleyes:) I would rather just replace it. Did the sending unit look cheap, or feel cheap?
Click to expand...

The link to the image at rock auto did not come thru. However that is where I bought it. They put a coating on it... I think it is zinc. You will be pleased by the tank. I think it is better then OEM. And for the price I thought it was a good buy.

The sending unit.. I'm not sure if I got the spectra or dormin. It was cheap. It had a plastic sock rather then the OEM sock. There was another plastic part that was used for the vent. The OEM sender has no plastic parts.

Is your sender rusted? That was the problem with mine. I have a good resistor. If your sender is in good condition other then the sender I would be interested in purchasing it from you. I tought about sand blasting mine and getting it coated but it costs to much to do this.
 
wazzabie said:
The link to the image at rock auto did not come thru. However that is where I bought it. They put a coating on it... I think it is zinc. You will be pleased by the tank. I think it is better then OEM. And for the price I thought it was a good buy.
Is your sender rusted? That was the problem with mine. I have a good resistor. If your sender is in good condition other then the sender I would be interested in purchasing it from you. I tought about sand blasting mine and getting it coated but it costs to much to do this.
Click to expand...
I accidently put a space between rock and auto in the url. I ordered it, I hope it isn't a bare metal tank.
My tank and sender are extremely rusty, which is the reason I am replacing them.

Now that I have found a tank, what options do I have as far as skid plates go? Do any companies make one, or will I have to make one myself? The location makes them really easy to drag over rocks. Should I reuse the plastic stone shield on the front?
 
Found a skid plate for the tank this weekend. It curves up in the front to replace the plastic stone shield, mounts on the two bolts coming from the tank mounts, and has two support support brackets that go up to the frame. I can't post links or I would put up some pictures.

Last time I dropped the tank, the filler neck vent line was in very poor shape, so I threw it away, not realizing that I couldn't get a replacement from O'Reillys. I tried to use 5/8" heater hose, but the sharp 90* made it kink. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement cheaper than LMC?
 
Do not use heater hose. You need fuel line. Heater hose is not rated for gas. Call around to the dealers.. they may still have in stock. I bought one about 3yrs ago.
 
I just replaced the tank on my 78 k5. fuel tank , sending unit and straps, $220 and some change. The tank is plastic. the company is MTS. you can google them. the part # is 2231. Check them out. Tom
 
Thanks for the tip, I replaced mine with the one from Rock Auto back in August. I do have a problem. The O-ring (to go under the sender) they sent me is too small, it lets rainwater into the tank. Can I replace it with a o-ring from the hardware store?
 
I wouldnt think the hardware store would have one that big.(not sure) I have the one from my old tank somewhere. Its still o.k. i got a new one w/ my tank. If you want it i can send it to you. Let me know? Tom
 
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