The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Any Rodders Still Have their Tank in Cab?

Hey, informal poll... Do any of you street rodders still have your tank in the cab? I'm debating on whether or not to fabricate a space near the rear end for a tank for my 52 1/2 ton...

I've read some posts on the dangers of tanks in the cab. Is it a "must" building a street rod?

One cup of gasoline is equal to one stick of
dinomite
jbennett
40 burb

mines still in the cab.

Yup....mine's in the cab, just re-did EVERYTHING!!!

Mines in the cab too. Plus 2 side tansk totals 58 gal. How many stick of dyamite is that, would Al Qaeda be intersted? 8-^) $$$$$

LGriffin, got any pictures, more info. regarding your side tanks? What did you use? Sure would like to see them and how you switch the tanks to keep the feed. Thanks, Cosmo.

Yep inside: Of course Sr. popcorn got mad when I tested it inside his horse tank. NOOO Leaks. popcorn The Truth is Out There (Sorry dad)

Cosmo, The tanks were installed by PO, of my 63 C20, fleetside. I'm not impressed with the installation. The tanks are mounted between frame and bed, behind cab. The filler openings comes out in the rear wheel wells. The switch is mounted on floor under the rear corner of drivers seat, a little more difficult to get too. My previous 63 had a 10 gal. tank behind driver and what I was told a Pinto on the other side. The switch was mounted on floor to the side of the seat, a little easier to get to.
When a tank goes dry, the 292 starts coughing and spitting. You very hurriedly try and find the switch and switch to a full tank before that Semi tries and climb up your your tail pipe. I would install senders in the tanks. I've thought about adding senders to mine and mounting a switch on the dash. So far switching tanks hasn't been a real problem. You get to know about when the tanks is going to empty.
My digital camera is a little cranky, but if you need more info I'd be happy get it to you.

Regards,
Larry

63 daily driver
Member of Team Craig Racing, Nostalgia JR Fuel.

I am still sitting on top of the tank in my 37,when I change the driveline it will probably get moved to the back so I can put in another seat for better leg room

Mine is still in the cab plus two factory saddle tanks. I plan on taking them all out and putting in a blazer tank under the bed.

I still need it in the cab for now though, my gas gauge doesn't work so I check my level by the splashing!

I have a 52 and have a tank behind the seat and one between the rails behhind the cab...both stock tanks. I re-did ALL of the rubber parts on each and haven't had a problem.

I've got a 30-gallon tank mounted where the spare tire used to go, under the bed. My truck came to me that way (just got it in January) and they did a real nice job with a filler door in the rear fender (passenger side) too!

Alan-

I checked out your site, but didn't see a photos of the filler on the passenger side. I'm interested as I rebuild my '51. How did they route the filler neck with respect to the frame rails and bed?

Also enjoyed your tech pages. Man, you've been working that truck hard every weekend this spring! The Dolphin gauges are mechanical, right? Other than mounting headaches, have you been happy? I'm considering them as they cost less than the Beede options with a similar look.

Keep up the great work!

Hey, 51PhatBoy

I'll try and take some pics this weekend for you so you can see the filler neck, etc.

Not just weekends, bro'! I've been on it everyday that didn't rain since April 19th! And what a joy! These past 6 weeks have been better than any vacation could do.


The Dolphin gauges are all mechanical and all electric sending units. I love 'em! My ONLY complaint is that they sometimes fog up (early in the morning) ... I emailed Dolphin and they told me to put a hair dryer to it whenever that happens -- I responded by chewing them out for giving me such a LAME response! Like I'm gonna carry a hair dryer around, right? Jeeze! I asked them to explain what CAUSES the fogging and never heard from them again. Nonetheless, I'm happy to have them -- they don'y usually fog up and they look and work great.

Another complaint, come to think of it, was that the custom Inserts weren't an EXACT fit ... top-to-bottom, they were smaller by about 3/32s of an inch (I know - I'm a picky SOB) ... but what can you do?

Alan-

I'll look forward to the pics of the filler neck in your between-the-rails fuel tank. What kind of tank did the PO use, custom or salvage? Thanks in advance.

I did not mean to slight your DAILY hard work, as I guess you're updating your website once a week and I was mistaken. The Dolphin gauges must be sealed in a way that allows the air trapped inside to form condensation on the inside of face. I may have less of a humidity problem out here in the high desert.

Enjoy!

Hey, 51PhatBoy

My guess would be salvage on the tank - it's 30 gallons, too!


No offense taken, bro' ... I'm just a nit-picker. And I guess you won't have to worry about the gauges foggin' up! High desert, eh?

I'll definitely get you those pics ... as long as it isn't raining AGAIN! Man, we've had two weeks, goin' on 3, of rain day after day here in Jersey.

Mines still under the seat on my 37. Did the POR-15 thing. I can still smell gas though. I would like to put it where the spare tire goes but have not found an economical way. Some say use Mustang and have cap come up in the middle/rear of the bed, some say the plastic tank that goes inside rail. I like riding in the rocket but I don't like sitting on top of the liquid dyamite!!

I'm still sitting on the leaky gas tank in my 39 Chevy pickup.. i've got an mid 70's K5 blazer cell that I think might fit behind the rear end.... when I get home, it will be one of my first projects, assuming the wife will let me into the garage.

Hey, 51PhatBoy

Here ya go -- I hope these pics work for ya :

[img]http://AlanHorvath.com/54chevy/chevypics/fillerdoor.jpg[/img]

[img]http://AlanHorvath.com/54chevy/chevypics/gastank.jpg[/img]

Alan-

Downtown bro! What a thing-o-beauty. Now if I can only pull it off on my rig!

With many thanks,
Phil

Hey, Phil

Looks to me like they got a little "creative" with the filler tube ...

... but it works -- and I'm glad I didn't have to do the relocation job myself. This truck was a great find -- especially for a first-timer. Beginner's luck, eh?

Alan-

You have indeed found a great truck, perhaps by luck, but really enhanced it with a lot of hard work. What direction are you going on the floor (I don't see you sticking with insulation gray too long!)?

The filler tube on the fender-filling rear tank has to be a stretch, but I can't see dribbling gas over my wood bed evey time I fill it up. I hope to pull something off that looks as good as yours!

Hope you get a clear day soon-

Hey, Phil

You got it, bro' ... I'm ready to put rug down. I keep seeing a multi-shaded carpet ... gray with darker gray and black spots ... cut pile. All the vehicles I see interior guys doing have solid colors and I want something more exciting looking. I was at Walmart today and they have this 36" x 36" rug that's black, with a big red star (stretched out) in the center of it, with some other colors. It stopped me in my tracks, and I found myself wondering if I could work in into my plans -- buy 2 ($20 each) and have a star on each side in the foot area. It would be a killer look if I can figure a way to do it. Maybe I can use it with the first idea I mentioned and work them in together.

My cousin has a friend who sells the older industrial sewing machines ... I'll be buying one soon and then watch what I do! My real passion is in doing interiors more than anything else.

We've had so many rainy days, I can't stand it! It's raining today again ... but I made good use of the day. When I installed my AC unit, I had to get rid of my power antenna and so I never bothered wiring up my radio and speakers. Today I found a mini-powered antenna at Pep Boys for $25 ... it'll fit in the same spot and won't be in the way of anything! So I've got the radio, speakers and antenna all wired up now, everything works, and I'm waiting for a sunny day to put the antenna back in the cowl area.

Alan-

Another (rainy) day, another item off the list. I guess you got two off your list with both the AC and antenna. Sweet!

The rug idea is intriguing. Where would the star end up, one on each side of the Gennie shifter-brake combo? I'm probably going with boring black rubber as there's too much four season muck to stay ahead of around here.

Cheers!

[img]http://www.directcon.net/gmc248/badboy1.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.directcon.net/gmc248/badboy.jpg[/img]

Hey GMC248
Nice project.

Hey, Phil
I'm gonna go out and measure the cab first ... then I'm thinking either one star on the firewall, center, in front of the Gennie shifter and hand brake, OR two stars - one left and one right of the shifter.

To give credit where credit is due; the gas tank relocation project pics were taken some time ago. The work was done by a former 'Bolter who can be found on other popular BBS on the 'net.
My apologies; I was not trying to pass it off as my work, just good pics still on my HD.
Gas tank is from a late '80's-ealy'90's Chevy Van, with about a 30 gal. capacity, in-tank pump and sending unit were used in this conversion.
Any other details to be had would have to come from the guy who did all the work.

GMC248 -- Nice example, and a worthy post, bro'.

GMC248-

Nice work! Will you also work on a fender filling door or go for something routed out the rear? Looks like you're headed for the fender. Also, great work on the smooth firewall. Hope you're clicking along on that good lookin' project!

I am still building my 41 chevy truck and recently removed the tank and found that there was gas seeping out just enough to keep the dirt and rust inbetween the tank and the floorboard wet. Not a good thing!!

It was not noticeable from above or below while the tank was installed either. I already knew it was in a bad location but after seeing that there is no way I would keep the tank in its stock location!

I bought an aluminium fuel cell I am going to mount behind the cab.

I think those pics gmc248 posted are the work of "phat" who can be found on http://www.roddingroundtable.com

Good thing you weren't into tossing cigarette butts behind the seat!

The cab musta really stunk, too - eh?

Aluminum Cell? Behind the cab?? I'm dazed and confused ... what do you mean? Got any pics?

Yes, the former 'Bolter was Phat and it was a job for a customer of his. Restoring/Rodding is his trade.
I didn't want to bring it up; there are those here who still have a lot of bad feelings toward him.
If you need more info about the gas tank relocation, just email him.
Good Luck with your projects guys!

whoops guess I am too new to know about issues with phat.

horvath it did smell! At first I thought it was just because their were holes in the firewall and my old carb leaked some but the smell remained with my new carbs and THEN I removed the tank and went uh oh!

My truck is far from done but progress pics can be seen on my site at http://www.L3x.com

Warning! my website depicts extreme modification in progress. Diehard restorers may not want to look however its got a stovebolt and thats all that really matters.

Guys I just installed a 83 el camino tank between the rails of my 49 suburban. If you can get the el camino brackets its a pretty easy fab job.

49-

Sounds sweet! Can we see some pics? Are the El Camino brackets essential or optional?

I haven't looked at El Camino's as donors, so I'll kep my eyes out at the boneyards. Do you know the capcity in gallons?

Where will you route the filler neck on the 'Burb: fender, bumper of other?

I got an email from the folks at heavychevy.com that let me know about a tank relocation kit they sell...the tank is out of a Chevy Blazer (I'm guessing full size not tinker toy). Not sure yet what all is included but the note on the full size vans is of interest to me...any other pictures of said install?

41ChevyTrucker -- I can't get your menu to work!
:confused:
NICE truck, bro'!!! Sure would like to see the rest of the pics.

I moved the tank out of the cab of my 50 1/2 ton and had a tank fabricated to go under the cab but still use the original filler located up by the passenger door. Looks original but does not smell original.

forwhatitisworth,

Nick

I just got through putting a tank where the spare used to go. It's a 19 gallon blazer tank sold for the 67-72 conversion. It's metal and came with the straps, tank, and sending unit for $250. Pretty cool. I mounted the fuel filler neck under the driver's side rear fender, just behind the tire. The neck coming off the tank was an odd size, but I found something that would work. I wrecked my '88 Honda Civic HB, so I pulled the entire fuel filler neck and cap, and it was the right size. Pretty cool stuff. Email me if you want pics. John. [email protected]