Stoopid Gas Tank

[noahrob]

So I got a new gas tank with internal baffles and was all fired up because I got the last piece I needed to make my old sending unit work when wham - o, the filler neck is a different size. The old one is 1 3/8" and the new one is 1 3/4". I cut the old one off in hopes of welding it into the new one, but the gap is pretty big so I was thiking of using this piece of tubing, but am afraid it will rust inside...I could get a new hose and just try to tighten it down, but gas neck filler hose is thick stuff and this is where my TPI fule retrun line goes so it needs to be tight...any ideas?

 

[4X4HIGH]

Give you a piece of advice. Make sure that the new tank will fit underneath your tub without the filler tube hitting the bottom of the tub. I just recently bought a new tank and was going to replace my tank with a broken baffle but the new tank filler neck was too high and hit the bottom of the tub and i mean there was NO ROOM for a hose to be attached. If that isn't an issue for you then why not just install a later filler tube on the body side and be done. I'm not sure when they changed but i'd bet when GM went with a fuel door.

 

[noahrob]

Ah..the gas tank drama continues. That is a dang good piece of advise and I will dry fit it before I do anything else. Also, the funny thing is that with the baffle, the sending unit I have was too long so I cut it...half an inch too short so now I need to bend my fuel gauge measuring arm a little so I don't run out of gas

 

[dyeager535]

Any chance the upper assembly is interchangeable with the newer? I know it's a plastic piece that screws in place to hold the fill neck, but haven't dealt with the older stuff to know if the newer fill neck could be made to work.

For some reason I had to change mine, but I couldn't even use the '81 tank with the '86 tub I got...maybe it's a diesel thing as well.

As I recall, the "later" (whenever that was) gas stuff uses the same diameter hose at both ends. Does yours neck down? (narrower inlet than the fill neck?)

 

[noahrob]

Good point on the neck down, I'll crawl under there tomorrow...I think it does. The only reasone this is an issue is that my return line is piped into the filler neck so I want it to be relatively secure...meaning gas into the tank and not on the ground...plus that stuff is more expensive than crack cocaine...

 

[4X4HIGH]

Now is the time to modify your sending unit and install a return line which goes all the way down to the pick up sock. This will help to eliminate fuel starvation when you are low on fuel and rounding corners.

 

[noahrob]

Good idea... how does JB Weld hold up under a tank of gasoline?

 

[4X4HIGH]

Figure out where the return line needs to go then drill a hole of the proper size and then have your local radiator shot silver solder it on for you. That is how i did mine years ago.

 

[noahrob]

Hey Scott,

Did you have to prime your system or anything to get it to start sucking fuel after you swapped the gas tank? I have 10 gallons of gas int he tank, but it won't start, no fule at the rail.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Nope, fired right up. Are you sure the pump is working? Make sure the ground wire is tight and clean. Listen for the 2 second prime.

 

[noahrob]

The pump is coming on, so I guess it is not sucking gas at the bottom of the tank...dooh. I will unhook the fuel pump and try to siphine some fuel out to see if I can figure out what is going on...

 

[4X4HIGH]

Just unhook the filter and then turn the key on and have someone check for fuel, in fact have someone carefully hold a glass jar over the fuel line so IF it does have fuel it won't make a big mess.

 

[noahrob]

Took the filter off, got it primed, used my old filter since I had already cleaned it, and viola...it runs...weird.

one of these days, when I make it to your neck of the woods, I'll take you out for a pop or a beer just for all the help.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Glad to hear you got it running.

I'm going to hold you to that offer. I don't drink beer but i can go through the soda.