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| | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Curious about the original as well as the reproduction in cab tanks for the 49-54 trucks. I'd like to confirm or find an in cab tank that is not galvanized. Diesel reacts with the zinc making a fine powder that clogs filters, therefore a non galvanized tank is required for use with diesel fuel. The 1952/3 GMC 450 with 3-71 Detroit Diesel as far as I know came with a square tank on the frame, not the standard in cab tank. I've contacted the manufacturer about this tank, waiting for an answer. http://ecat.spectrapremium.com/prod/gm55aThanks, Grigg
Last edited by Grigg; 02/02/2016 2:52 PM. Reason: more info
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Reply back from Spectra Premium Industries on their Tank # GM55A which is made in Canada. Yes they are compatible for gas and diesel they are made of NI TERN STEEL see below definition of our NI TERNE STELL,
Spectra Premium Industries' fuel tanks are made in Canada from U.S. Steel's "Ni-Terne" material. The annealed cold-rolled steel sheet is first processed to apply a thin flash coating of electrodeposited nickel, and then it's given a hot-dip lead-tin alloy coating. The nickel base coat gives Ni-Terne steel an extra measure of corrosion resistance compared to U.S. Steel's regular "Terne" steel sheet and also compared to traditional galvanizing, which isn't readily available anymore. It should also be pointed out that the Ni-Terne coating protects both interior and exterior surfaces of the fuel tank from surface corrosion. That sounds good to me, I'm familiar with Terne. A lead and tin corrosion resistant coating. At one time standing seam roofing metal/steel was usually "Terne metal" now much less common in that industry. Some of the re sellers of these tanks seem to incorrectly list them as zinc coated. Can't speak to the imported (from overseas) tanks and what they would be coated with. Grigg | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,964 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,964 | I have bought over a dozen Spectra Premium tanks over the years for my GMCs as well as my Y-Blocks and I am convinced they are the best one can buy for gas, but I would be hesitant to put Diesel in them because they sure look galvanized. I don't think the originals were galvanized, in fact I have thrown quite a few that were probably still good simply because for less than $175 for a new one, I didn't want to mess with an old one. My 520 gas burner came with a square tank. https://plus.google.com/u/0/1126369...3154546690&oid=112636930370126476644I just cut the draw pipe off a couple of inches to stay away from the dirt a little more. On a diesel, I would put the draw on one end and the return on the other end to stay away from the turbulence of the return. The absolute best for Diesel is aluminum. If you are looking for a square one, I have seen them on eBay. I think they are for boats, but what works,works. Just fill the tank with nitrogen and weld in a return. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,964 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,964 | Take a look at Ebay seller rdl0303's store, you'll find the tank. I have bought over a dozen of them from this seller and I'll buy some more from him if I need them. $173.99 delivered is as good a price as I have seen. If you look at the picture, they look galvanized, but apparently its not zinc.
Last edited by cletis; 02/03/2016 5:20 PM. Reason: Linked to sellers store
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Thanks for the input Ken.
My truck has a new tank already, now I need to confirm if it is a Spectra tank or not, time to remove seat to check.
I'm finding this Spectra GM55A tank for about $155 delivered from Rock Auto or Amazon. Sounds like a bargain.
Grigg | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,964 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,964 | I didn't realize that Amazon and Rock had gotten that cheap. They used to be around $250 and thats why I bought from the guy on eBay. I wonder if Spectra is maintaining their quality. We had been buying all aluminum radiators from Modine for our Internationals for about $1500. I now see Spectra all aluminum radiators for a little under $500 including shipping. It doesn't make me very proud of the fact that in December of 2014 I bought 4 Modines to get it into that year's income tax. However, when the original plastic tank ones break a tank, it means a wrecker call. | | |
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