The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Thoughts on installing a new frame mount fuel tank

Howdy, I am finishing up installing a 31 gallon, between the frame rails, rear mount fuel tank in my '69 Panel. I have run into some "issues" that I feel should be mentioned.

1. Be absolutely certain that you have, or can easily make, the necessary space from the mounting seam UP! You did get a tank that will fit between the frame rails, didn't you?
2. Be absolutely certain that you can get the fill tube on the body to line up with the one on the tank! Check the muffler section of the auto parts store for any necessary adapters. Don't forget the vent line!
3. Be absolutely certain that the sender is properly prewired to hook into your wiring and the fuel line is run in metal!
4. Be absolutely certain that the exhaust isn't to close to the tank!

I know that these all seem self evident, but some bits of one or the other kept me busy for longer than I want to admit!

Forewarned is forearmed! Whatever.

best wishes,

Les

All good advice.

I would add another item, don't buy a tank that hangs down too low. Some of the tanks that are being sold look hideous from the rear of the truck...

Here's some examples:
http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/45728/2970317700103882008S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/47993/2562356910103882008S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/47724/2674722220103882008S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/47869/2771757560103882008S600x600Q85.jpg

Solution: put the bumper back on.

vickraft
Shop Shark

Registered: Tue Nov 21 2006 12:00 PM
Posts: 292
Loc: Allison, New Brunswick Eastern...






I did this to my 51. Installed a ss tank on the frame rail just behind the passenger side behind the cab. I used exhaust tubing to plumb everything. Made a gas hose connection to the stock filler tube that goes through to the outside filler cap area.
Due to some cab movement between the frame & the new tank, made a leather flexing gasket to allow some movement between the cab floor and the top entrance to gas tank. Works very well and the best of it all I put my spare tire where it was originally, under the bed. From the outside it looks the same as the original. I'm very happy with the look and how it functions. Best of all no tank inside the cab.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/vickraft/003-3.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/vickraft/002-4.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/vickraft/001-2.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/vickraft/004-2.jpg

_________________________
1951 Canadian Chev 1/2-ton Shortbox



Top

Hey vickraft, does your tank extend under the cab and dump directly into it or is there more piping under the cab?

Today i went out and tested the fit of the "under bed fuel tank" and as described in your post it will fit under the bed , that is beneath the truck under the bed.I'm actually trying to get it to fit between the rails which measurement wise it will.The problem is it won't go between the top and bottom of the frame rails where I'm trying to mount it. It looks as if i remove the rear cross-member and slide it in straight it will go then i will have to remount the cross-member. I can't get enough angle on it to slide it in any other way because of the mounting tabs. But if i just mount it under the bottom of the frame looks like its a easy fit ??? any thoughts?

I mounted mine like this gastank
I did have to tweak the rear cross-member a bit as I had located the rear shock mount bar a little too far back.

DennisM
Yes the fuel dumps right in through the cab floor.
My tank is directly inline with cab plumbing that goes from the filler through the floor just above the new tank. Also installed a leather gasket to allow slight movement of the cab up & down. Seems to work well. Check out the pics ffrom the previous post above.

These were the 3 reasons I went to this set up.

1. Stock looking filler on the outside.
2. Stock location for my spare.
3. Tank removed from inside of the cab.

Vickraft,

Do you have a flex joint (5-6" of rubber hose) in the fill line? My concern with your set up is if you get 'tee boned' the fill line could shear off the top of the tank putting raw gas inside the cab making it more dangerous than just having the tank behind the seat.

I'm building a '56 3100 and I'm putting a '56 Suburban tank under the cab. I'm moving the filler pipe to the right rear fender to keep ALL of the gas out of the cab.

Be safe...

Mike B

MikeB

Thanks for your good advise. Yes I remember having this conversasion with some of the car club guys and yes I do have a rubber hose about 8" long attached at the filler tube area. see the 1st photo of the above 06-04-12 post. Leather flex gasket as well in the cab floor. Also this tank has 3 baffled sections, that would prevent most of the fuel to move to this end of the tank.

Ok I see your rubber line at the fill neck. That line won't help if you get tee boned, it's in the vertical line.

I was more concerened with having the rigid horizontal pipe being pushed straight in shearing the connection at the floor. If you get hit it will be down low on the side of the cab. If it were me I'd think about making most of the line inside the cab rubber. Connect it at the filler neck and at the 90 at the floor. That way if the cab gets pushed in the rubber line just buckles/folds and doesn't come apart.

Mike B

MikeB

Something to consider. Thanks Mike

Sounds like you have most of your problems work out, I went through the same thing . What a pain ! I used a 72 mercury cougar tank, and a shortend fill neck from the same vintage mustang . With my channel the cap is hidden by the closed tail gate. I had to trim my rails about, 1/4 per side, and it only hangs below the rails about2" . Hope this helps someone, because it was source of many a gray hairs. Also the tank is slant.ed up in the rear

I wonder if having an unbalanced tank might become a problem?