The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Gas tank and grill on '54 3100

I just bought a 54 3100 and would appreciate your help with the following.

I want to put the gas tank under the bed. Any advise on how to do it and where to get the parts?

I like the 47-53 grill. Will it fit on my truck and if not, is there someeone who can modify one to fit?

Thanks, bstinson

I don't know about the grill.

About the gas tank though..... I have a 1950 Chevy 1/2 ton. The gas tank sat inside the cab behind the seat. I thought it a bit dangerous plus I wanted to add weight in the rear. What I did was buy a steel tank to mount under the bed. Since I have a blow torch and welder, I bought some 3" 1/4" steel stock and modified the chassis to mount the tank. Most people put the fill spout out the fender but I put mine through the bed with a flush mounted aircraft type filler billet.

On my 54 3100 i used a tank out of a 88 pontiac parrisien or i think the gm car is a caprice.It fit between my rear frame rails perfect and the spout comes out the back of the tank.There is no fuel pump in the tank that worked for me as i used the mechanical one on the motor.

Thanks for the input. Meredith55, do you remeember the car your tank came out of? Do I need to order any parts to bring the spout to the bed similiar to what you did?

I'll take some meassurements and start looking for a tank. The Caprice is a good plasce to start.

bstinson-

Common quesiton regarding tand relocation. Search the archives for fuel tank, gas tank or other terms and you'll bring up many threads (with photos) on the subject. if you do not find previous discussions, let us know and we'll direct you.

Welcome to the Stovebolt, with many friendly and helpful folks.

I am building a 54 3100 also. I am using an 18 gallon tank from a 68 camaro that will have through bed filling. Other options I have looked at that will fit include a 75-81 Camaro/TA tank (19 gal), 69 Mustnag (20 gal) and 70 Mustnag (22 gal). The Mustnag sending units run at a different ohmn rating than GM but can be made to work.

As to the grill the only thing you might have to modify is the top inside opening of the front fenders on the 54 are rounded and the 53< are squared off. I would keep the 54 fenders as they are and replace with earlier fenders. The earlier fenders are easy to find. I see them at Houston area swap meets regularly. I would suggest keeping the 54 grill as it makes it look unique from the ever popular 47-53.

I am in the Spring area if you ever need some help.

Welcome to the forum.

Hey bstinson, what do you plan to do with your '54 grille? Is it in good shape? I'm looking for one, specifically the l.s. "wing".

It may not take that much modification to the 54 fenders to accept an earlier grill, but there should also be modifications necessary to the radiator mount/shroud etc. The easiest thing to do is to find a complete clip.

The 54 will grow on you. Mechanically it is a much better truck.