The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Fuel pick up conversion question

The museum I work at has a 1949 Chev 6400 flatbed dump (my "company car") which we use daily around our park and to haul just about anything you can imagine. A couple weeks ago it began giving us grief and after plenty of diagnosis, I've determined that the troubles are due to excessive sediment and rust build up in the bottom of the tank. I've pulled the tank and will be thoroughly cleaning it out this week.

My question is in regards to the fuel gauge sending unit and whether anyone has had experience converting to a unit from the 1954 to 59 cab mounted tanks. Our truck's sending unit is rusted solid so I'm looking to replace it (plus it would be a new luxury to actually know how much gas is in the tank!) The Filling Station sells this model and claims that it fits the 49-53 trucks so long as you plug the inlet on top of the sender. I was thinking that by routing a new line from this newer sending unit to the fuel pump and then plugging the bottom of my tank, I might be able to get better reliability in the long term since I'd be siphoning gas up rather than having it feed directly from the bottom of the tank along with any future sediment/rust.

Any problems I might encounter in making this swap? Is the geometry of the 54-59 fuel pick up compatible with the shape of my 49 tank? Is my 216's fuel pump capable of pulling fuel in this new configuration? I haven't ordered the sending unit yet and wanted to get some feedback from anyone who has more experience with this. Thanks in advance for any help.

Your present pump should have about 4-6 lbs of pressure and that should be enough to pull gas from the tank. There should be a sock on the bottom of the pickup tube as a primary strainer. I don't know what is in the tank at present but it ought to have some kind of filter too. (?)

The original set up included no filter other than the screen in the sediment bowl on the fuel pump. I've since added an in-line filter near the carb and will add a second one before the pump before I put everything back together. I can see how easy it is for junk to build up at the outlet given that there is no screen there at all.

the later unit is a drop in fit and has the sock strainer so you won't be sucking up everything in the bottom of the tank. Clean the crap out of the tank, drop in the new unit and get back to work.

It is not hard at all to do this conversion and it really helps keeping gunk out of the fuel system. Just need a line to go from the top of the tank and out of the bottom hole in the cab. Just put a pipe plug in the old outlet at the bottom. I have had no problems since I did it on my 50. I do not have a filter between the tank and the pump and have had no problems. Good luck.
Steve

Thanks guys, I got the tank cleaned out today using a chain, muriatic acid, and lots of water. Filled her with fuel and now just need to wait for the new parts to arrive. I appreciate the advice.

One more small question -- what is the cylindrical canister with a hose attached to it in the back of the passenger side of the cab? I found the thing when pulling the tank and had to scratch my head at what it's for. The hose is falling apart where it meets the world underneath the truck.

jblarson,

That small canister is the air breather/muffler for the atmosphere side of the hydro-vac, which is the power assist unit for the brakes located beneath the cab.

Stuart

I bought mine from Jim Carter and had to buy the "sock" separately. Maybe it comes with it from other vendors but you need to check to be sure.