Tank for my 84, baffle or not too baffle.

[TommyD11730]

Sender went south on my DS fuel tank of my 84 K2500. I'm thinking I might just go ahead and replace the tank too. Is their any reason not to use a tank from say a 1987 (TBI) model? I'm to understand my sender will drop right in. In so much as I might go TBI one day I figure it will give me a leg up.

Thoughts?

 

[dyeager535]

You certainly can't go wrong with using a later tank, but do a bunch of research. The aftermarket metal tanks aren't baffled properly (even the ones that say they are for TBI) but I *think* on here someone had checked out a plastic tank that had better baffles. Not sure the saddle tanks are available like that, but if so, I would make sure they have efficient baffles (really, its the sump that counts) and if they aren't made well, not really a whole lot of reason to pay more for them.

 

[sweetk30]

ya stock gm hada plastic tray with a maze type path for fuel to cirlce in to the center .

the later aftermarket is just a tin tall bread pan looking thing .

now i can say i have had a spectra premium tbi tank in my 1 truck for years with no problems . and i even had it up in the bed toolbox sideways from the normal front/back mounting and no problems.

i currently have 2 i am installing in the BUDGET BEATER build . both spectra premium units with stock gm senders .

current best deal shipped on s/p brand tank is here https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fits-Fuel-...=item4423faf36c:g:700AAOSwX5ZbJDVC:rk:12:pf:0

thats for a 20 gal truck efi tank left/right as there universal .

 

[sweetk30]

just incase anyone searches for baffle pics from a o.e.m tank here ya go . i didnt bother to get aftermarket since its just a bead pan shape is all .

 

[Kain]

i have to change my to a baffle tank, already went efi and extreme angles it will lose fuel if low on gas

 

[dyeager535]

i have to change my to a baffle tank, already went efi and extreme angles it will lose fuel if low on gas

Just dont think you will be getting any improvement with aftermarket. I dont let mine get below 1/4 tank offroad because I just dont trust spectra's worthless sump.

Someone needs to replicate gms design in steel, period.

 

[Kain]

I wish they would too but mine doesn't have anything and I don't want trouble

 

[dyeager535]

Well like I said, explore other options. Spectra's design is about worthless. Not going to do much, if anything, more than nothing. Unless you are talking momentary (mere seconds) on an incline, it's not going to help. Hell, the "sump" has drain holes in the bottom!

 

[sweetk30]

hydramat https://www.holley.com/products/fuel_systems/hydramat/

 

[skunked]

i have to change my to a baffle tank, already went efi and extreme angles it will lose fuel if low on gas

The spectra EFI tank works fine. I agree the baffles aren’t the same as factory but I’ve never had an issue on the trail including situations where the front tires are off the ground.

 

[Kain]

new tank from rock auto is 90 bucks holley hydro mat only is temporary(5 to 10 Years) and cost triple that

 

[sweetk30]

new tank from rock auto is 90 bucks holley hydro mat only is temporary(5 to 10 Years) and cost triple that

when i got my tanks this year ebay had the best price shipped for spectra premium . just make sure thats the brand there selling you . lots of them use the name and say compared to or like . .

 

[dyeager535]

The spectra EFI tank works fine. I agree the baffles aren’t the same as factory but I’ve never had an issue on the trail including situations where the front tires are off the ground.

I've had mine cut out before with low fuel levels and acceleration/deceleration. I dont know how that design cannot operate the same for all, unless you keep a decent fuel level.

I keep hoping they change the design so I would be confident running it nearer to e.

 

[skunked]

I've had mine cut out before with low fuel levels and acceleration/deceleration. I dont know how that design cannot operate the same for all, unless you keep a decent fuel level.

I keep hoping they change the design so I would be confident running it nearer to e.

You must run your tank low if you have those problems on the street or you have other fuel issues. I never go below a 1/8th tank, I like to keep my pump cool.

 

[sweetk30]

You must run your tank low if you have those problems on the street or you have other fuel issues. I never go below a 1/8th tank, I like to keep my pump cool.

x2 on fuel pump cool and air in pump cause it to shorten life span .

 

[dyeager535]

You must run your tank low if you have those problems on the street or you have other fuel issues. I never go below a 1/8th tank, I like to keep my pump cool.

I dont run my tank below a 1/4 off road because I cant trust my well being to the sump in the spectra tank.

Apparently spectra thinks a 1/4 is the minimum I should need to handle hills and potholes at speed.

I really dont care about what spectra thinks is appropriate, GM's engineers did what they felt was necessary, and sthe spectra design is nowhere near the same, thus, IMO they cut corners.

 

[sweetk30]

I dont run my tank below a 1/4 off road because I cant trust my well being to the sump in the spectra tank.

Apparently spectra thinks a 1/4 is the minimum I should need to handle hills and potholes at speed.

I really dont care about what spectra thinks is appropriate, GM's engineers did what they felt was necessary, and sthe spectra design is nowhere near the same, thus, IMO they cut corners.

not to be a rude but the fact your complaining about under 1/4 tank performance in offroad and decent street driving knowing the limits of a given design is your fault to keep pushing it .

if you wana cut open a new tank and swap the tray i will send you one of my old trays . i will cut it out of the tank before scrap run .

 

[dyeager535]

not to be a rude but the fact your complaining about under 1/4 tank performance in offroad and decent street driving knowing the limits of a given design is your fault to keep pushing it .

Spectra makes a replacement tank that is FAR inferior to what the OEM offered. I have to modify my driving and fueling habits so I don't have to worry about being stranded an hour from the nearest fuel station, because they didn't replicate what was standard for all EFI trucks made from 1987-1991. On something that is supposed to be a replacement?

It's not tough. Stock fuel tank: run it down to 1/8 tank without worry. Spectra: run it to 1/4 tank and worry. That's an additional 40 miles I lose in range.

And if we want to discuss fuel pump cooling, why would we even consider the Spectra, with it's drain holes and speed bumps for a sump, compared to the GM one that positively keeps fuel surrounding the pump?

Now, if Spectra has changed their design for our trucks, like apparently they did for some car apps, where their response to a complaint was ""GM42 Series tanks are the only tank that has a different pump bowl that never been modified. The GM32-34 & 37 series were the modified for the pump bowl for fuel starvation.", then I'll reevaluate.

Just don't try to suggest to me, or anyone else, that the GM sump pictured, is somehow equaled by the Spectra I'm running in my truck now. If it didn't involve cutting the tank in half to get it in there, welding posts to the bottom of the tank, and dealing with brittle plastic, I would have already done so. I made this swap just as Spectra came out with these tanks, and I took a gamble that their ability to equal OEM was part of why they were highly recommended. Fail.

I'll drop it. If anyone decides to run a newer Spectra for their truck, and posts up pics of something even remotely near effective as the GM sump shown in this thread, bully, Spectra pulled their head out. I've said my piece, I don't like the Spectra design I ended up with, it's caused issues in my mild usage, that's enough for me. It's opinion to like or dislike something, if others feel different, that is up to them. I wish I had pics of my "sump" to prove my point, but I don't. The pics above clearly show what the standard is, I would absolutely argue the Spectra is nowhere near as well designed. After all the back and forth, my only wish is to *equal* factory performance, not have it gold plated. And I don't feel that Spectra did. That's it...just replicate the GM piece, preferably in steel.

 

[TommyD11730]

Just to change the direction of the conversation for a 2nd... the sender for the 84, will definitely fit/work in a EFI tank.... yes?

Also anyone bother to paint their tanks to prolong the life? I'm in the rust belt and drive my truck all year round.

 

[sweetk30]

should drip in just fine . there is less stuff on it over a efi sender .

and yes . i wipe off the shipping / manf goo slime . then scotchbright scuff it / then transtar ( 4363-f ) undercoat it . this undercoat dryes good so you dont get slimy working with it on a item . been using this stuff for years and love it . the 2 wheel burn project truck got 2 cases of it under the cab and box . to protect the floor on both .play with the distance of the can to item you can get a chunky or light textured coating . looks almost like spray on bed liner . AND FYI : first spray from each new can dont spray at the item . spray in a junk can / cardboard / were ever . your clearing out the tube of the gunk they use from storage / shipping . goes from yellowish to black real quick . then your good to go .