Fuel Tank Fun
 

:dohh:

Fuel tank repops just suck....

Got my replacement tank kit in this weekend and started working on it tonight. Picked it up from fillingstation.com, but I think most are all the same. I have read about an issue with the filler neck (too late), but wanted to post a few pics to illustrate the problem. I have an email in to the vendor I purchased from to see what their take is, if they have one. I have read about people having a raditor shop swap the original neck onto the new tank, but that is 1) an extra pain in my butt, 2) extra expense to me, and 3) ABSOLUTELY REDICULOUS for a new "replacement" part.

Anyway, on to the pics...

Here is the original filler neck (note the long curve):
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...iginalNeck.jpg
Here is the replacement tank's neck:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...cementNeck.jpg
Here are the replacement (non-fitting) straps compared to original:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...093/straps.jpg
And here is the money shot....
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../P10100181.jpg
and
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../P10100161.jpg

See how the new neck (with the blue shop towel in it) points STRAIGHT at the body mount? The filler hose is still attached to the Blazer's fuel filler and approximates the 'proper' connection location.


Anybody have any other suggestions or is modifying a brand new tank my only recourse?

Thanks (and sorry for the illustrated rant)...
Herb

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Can't you unbolt the old filler neck and transfer it to the new tank?

What are the two nut's on each side of the neck for?

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

From what I can tell, they hold the tube in alignment before being soldered/brazed to the tank. There is a sealed seam around the tube's entry into the tank.

Herb

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Since you have the old tank and I am asuming it is junk why not undo the bolts on the filler neck on it and see what happens? I bet it isnt soldered in and once you remove the bolts it should come out. Especially since you said there is sealer around where it ataches, sounds like that is waht they use for a gasket. Hay its worth a shot.
Aaron

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Even if it is soldered on you can un-solder it.

I did it with an Old's Cutlass tank.

Since the Cutlass tank was toast,I 1st drained all the gas(of course) then filled it with water.Took a propane torch to the soldered in filler neck and "gingerly" applied flame to the base of the neck and tank.

Takeing my time,and while wiggleing the filler neck,I applied the heat untill the soldered neck let loose.

It might work with a heat gun too...no flame with that.

If your not comfortable doing it yourself,take it to your local rad. shop.

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Guys, you're missing his point.

His point is that a new reproduction part should be just that -- a reproduction. Unless you're told at the time you make the purchase, the expectation is that the new part will be useable for the application without this kind of major modification.

This tank may be cheaper to produce than a tank with the correct neck. But, since they don't show a picture and you're not TOLD, you don't know that your price of getting a FUNCTIONAL part is actually much greater.

There's also the problem of missing/damaged original parts. If the vendor is assuming that the customer is going to have to tear apart his old piece to get the new piece to work, what happens if you don't HAVE the old piece or it's not useable?

I don't have a problem with people selling parts like this that may have to be modified -- I understand that for old vehicles sometimes you take what you can get. The problem, I think, that Herb wasn't told that his assumption of fit and function was wrong. The vendor should do this.

Brian

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Desoldering the filler neck may be the only option but I say he deservs a refund because the part is incorrect. I can't stand internet sellers that reproduce inferior "made in china" junk and pass it off as a "direct replacement".

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

That really sucks especially since the filler neck now points right at the body mount. At first I thought you could just make an extension of your rubber hose but with the filler neck pointing right at the body mount, that won't work. Good luck finding a solution.

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

That is exactly my point Brian! I now have to take time off work, shuttle two tanks to a rad shop (which is tough in a Jeep) and layout money and time for something that should have been correct on delivery.

That was my initial thought. I figured I could adjust the angle of the connector tube and twist it around to work, but the body mounts has it's own idea of fun...

For those that may have not seen the parts that connect, here are a couple more pics of the areas involved...

Here is the connector tube from the bedside filler, down to the tank filler. My first thought was to twist this toward the tank. The smaller hose is the vent.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../P10100091.jpg

This is the bedside filler area (image rotated). Note the metal to rubber connection near the bed floor that would allow the connector tube in the previous photo to be rotated.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../P10100104.jpg


I have not yet heard from the vendor about this, so I'll give them a chance to make good. Sad part is that the Blazer was my DD, as my Jeep's not quite ready.

I'll post whatever recourse I come down to.

Herb

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

It is most definitely soldered on. I went through the same thing this year. The dangerous part is heating the old tank. Flame and gas fumes, not good.

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

I review this product on the review board over a year ago. We have the same gripes. I had to use a radiator hose (which i got flap for and has help up perfectly) and I used the stock straps. All the different companies are selling the same tank.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=159589

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Yeah, it is a tweener, as in between the burb and Blazer tank, but not perfect for either. Just cut the angled metal pipe off of your old tank, go to NAPA and buy fuel hose (they actually have hose for fuel that looks like radiator hose). It will take like a 4-5 inch wide piece and two hose clamps to attach the old metal hose to the new shorter outlet and in the end the filler will work perfect. I would give the guy with a radiator hose on his tank flack as well, because the rubber in those hoses is not made to withstand fuel and sooner than later it will all but melt away and cause a leak. Give my advice a try and you'll be out a few $$$ and still be better off than the solder route and still be safe!!

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Why not just cut the neck off of your old tank (saw), take it to a muffler shop and have them weld it onto the new tank? It might cost $10 for 5 min of work for both of you.... They can flare the end and run a quick weld and presto, you set. my 2 cents

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

even better than the hose idea I had, but either would work!! Make lemonaid out of those lemons!!

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Why doesnt the tank manufacturer do this for us since it is so easy. I hate repro junk. Good luck. Tell them to send someone to crawl under the blazer to fill it up with gas everytime you need some and see how they like that.

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Welp...taking the nuts loose from the original tank filler is a no-go, at least until the solder is melted off of them. On a real close inspection of the original filler tube, it looks like there is a step in the tube (soldered slip joint) about 1/2" up the neck from the tank. It looks like the S-curve tube section actually solders INSIDE the straight stub filler of the new tank (after shortening it considerably).:hmm:


To those that have removed the soldered on filler tube - a question:

Is the filler tube assembly a flanged pipe that bolts to the outside of the tank, then the whole flange is filled over with solder? That is what appears to be the case.

If I am going to have to have the filler modified, I would think it best to simply have the Rad shop swap the necks (after match-marking the tube for alignment) rather than cobble a union between the old and new.

I did speak with the vendor today (he called me) and he is sending some filler hose to try the "splice the old tube to the new neck idea", but I'm not sure I'm going to go that route as there is only about 2" between the tube and that body mount. The new tank's stub neck is about 3" long and the S-curve in the original start less than 3" from the tank. I need to sit under it and study it a bit more, but first - I gotta finish tuning the Jeep for the new temporary DD...

welcome to another day in the life........

Herb

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

LOL - my own personal pump jockey - that'd be great cuz the tank sucks to fill now (maybe the mangled vent hose?)

BTW - the vendor is basically a parts reseller and the tank kit actually comes from parts123.com, but it seems to match all of the photos I've seen in my oh-so-late research. I sent the pictures to the vendor in an email and he understands the problem I am having. He is getting with his vendor for the kit (the first they have sold for the Blazer - you see my luck?)

Herb

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

That's it. It looks like they place the filler tube over the studs, tighten it down with the nuts, and then fill up that flat area with solder.

The old tank was very easy to get the solder off. I heated it, undid the nuts, and heated it a little more to get the neck assembly loose.

The new tank I heated it, heated it more, bought a new torch and heated it more, took it to the radiator shop and he gave it a shot, and finally took it to another shop and they were finally able to get it off. They must use some sort of high heat solder on the new ones.

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

The saga continues...

Called around to Rad shop today and all of them will need to boil the old (trash) tank before they can do anything with it. Some "won't accept the liability of the work", some "don't do that kind of work", some are "just covered up right now". The ones that will do it want $45 to $75 bucks and all of them seem to be on the Southside or the industrial part of downtown (both an easy 30 minutes one-way) and they all close at 5 pm (I get off work at 5 pm).

Did I mention that I need to get this thing running for a road trip/fishing trip starting Saturday at 4am?

I figured I'd give it a try - looked up gas tank repair online - read horror stories about explosions and such. Basically, if you want to be able to count to ten when you're done - avoid it. Sounds like my kinda work!!

So anyway - I got the filler neck off the old tank tonight and got it cleaned and prepped for install. I'll drop the new tank after dinner and see if one of the closer shops can work me a better deal first thing in the AM without having to jack with the old tank.

Herb

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

That's exactly what I did. I took it off the old tank and let someone else put it on the new tank. They questioned me thoroughly about the new tank, he asked my three times if I had ever put gas in it. You should be able to find someone to take care of it now that they don't hvae to deal with the old tank.

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Since they want to clean the old junk tank(why) id fill the old tank with water and take a air chiesel and cut about 6 inches from the filler neck, cut around it then take that peace and your new tank to the shop. Quick, easy and no sparks.
Aaron

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

LOL

Pretty much what I did...Drained the gas, filled it with water, played with the soldering iron with no love, played with the heat gun with no love, never got the balls to try the propane torch as the fumes coming off were still VISIBLE :exit: even with the water flowing through it. I finally decided to just take a good old-fashioned hack saw and, well, hack! I was able to easily cut down both sides and across the top, then just worked the bottom back and forth until the tank metal fatigued (not much work with steel tissue paper). I took it a step further and torched out the solder and removed the tank scrap and cleaned up the neck.

BTW folks, the new neck is not soldered in place, it is brazed on. I tried the propane torch first, then stepped up to the Oxy-Mapp with no progress. The whole area will get a uniform orange glow with no difference visible in the seamming material. I'll take it in to a pro manana and see what they can do for me, now that the "dangerous" part is done (wimps! - LOL).

Herb

edit - oh by the way, the rusty scale on the inside of the tank piece on the old filler neck supported a healthy flame for a good couple minutes during the clean-up process.

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Good luck - I'm so glad my tank was in good shape when I pulled it to have it cleaned out!

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

It's looking up so far....

Took the new tank and the cleaned and prepped old filler to a raditor shop this morning about 8:30. Rusty (Oh, how ironic) called me just before noon and said it was ready and bring $30.

I picked it up at lunch and it looks like a thing of beauty! Rusty said the original new tank neck was silver soldered on and it take ALOT of heat to get it off. The neck was reinstalled with 'soft' solder, just like the original. The prepatory work last night made it "easy work" for Rusty today, so he could jump right on it and get it knocked out.

As a bonus, I got a line on a used top and door set for the Jeep from one of the guys there - may be able to pick it up for $50.

Tank goes back in tonight with new vent and supply and return and whatever-the-other-line-is hoses and new filler hose if I can find 1-3/8" locally. BTW - the original filler neck measures just at 1-3/8" od. I should be ready for a road trip and fishing on Saturday!

Herb

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Good for you. Can we see picks of the tank now that you have got the new neck on and pics once everything is in. Great on finding some other parts you wereafter.
Aaron

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

OK - nearly done....

The new tank is in (fit perfectly now). I replaced all of the hoses for the fuel pickup, the filler vent, the two tank vents and the filler neck hose (horizontal and vertical). I also ditched all of the tower clamps and spring clamps in favor of new SS worm drive clamps.

Here is a picture of the newly installed neck. I did not bother with a wide shot, as it looks just like the original...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...P1010007-1.jpg

Here is a shot of the old stuff - kinda looks ready to replace, huh?
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...P1010009-2.jpg

Here is a shot of the new goodies waiting to go in. All of this and a cheapy 2-1/2" tach ran about $65.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...P1010001-2.jpg

Close shot of hose detail for filler hose...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...3/P1010003.jpg

Close shot of hose detail for fuel pickup hose...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...P1010005-1.jpg

Close shot of hose detail for filler vent hose...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../P10100042.jpg

Close shot of hose detail for tank vent hose...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../P10100064.jpg

As for the "nearly" part...the tank is in and full, but there are a few more sections of rubber vent hose that are split and leak when full (near the rear bumper). I'll track those down and replace with my leftover hose. Sending unit works great too.

Thanks for letting me ramble on....
Herb
I'll get a couple shots of the final results tomorrow, as it's too dark now.

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Tank looks great, herb101. Glad you finally got it installed. I agree I hate chasing down all those old rubber fuel lines, just when you think you got them all another one shows itself, ie leaks.
Aaron

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

I forgot to post these before...

Here are the final installed shots of the tank/filler areas

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...P1010003-1.jpg
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...P1010002-1.jpg
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...P1010001-1.jpg

Herb

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

So I spoke to soon - filled up my tank and it leaked pretty bad - it wasn't fixable so had to get a new tank. Got the old tube swapped onto the new tank yesterday but I'm having fitment problems.

I have a couple questions. I can't remember, does the filler tube sit in front of the rear body mount or behind it? Having fitment problems either way but need to know that.

Secondly, does the tank's lip that goes around the entire tank sit between the c-section of the frame or does the tank's lip sit under the frame? The lip looks wider and is causing a lot of trouble getting the tank into position.

These tanks kinda suck :cuss:

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Well, I never fooled with my tank so I guess it's stock! Filler is mounted to the front of the body mount and my tank sits below the frame rail and doesn't touch....But I do have a broken strap

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Thanks, looks like the neck might need to be tweaked a little. I thought it set in front of that body mount but just didn't fit either way so I thought I better ask before I screwd it up! Hopefully I can get it to fit without too much problem.

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

I can second what jaros said. Neck in front of the body mount. Lip under the frame. The lip on mine was touching the frame, but had a piece of rubber on each side between the lip and the frame. I assume it was there to prevent squeaks.

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Yep your right on the rubber pc., forgot to mention that...

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Here is a question for you all. My tank had a couple of welded pieces on it and it seeped gas out out it. I will send a pic of the tank later today. I had planned on buying a new one until I read how much trouble everyone has with the new ones, glad I kept the old one! It has been empty for over a year, I am thinking about just repairing the old tank and reinforcing the welds or cutting out the old fix and starting over then sealing the tank with the stuff from eastwood. I have mentioned this on another thread but I would like to know if you guys know if a 71-72 suburban tank is the same as my 1970 blazer 4WDblazer? A guy down the road from me has one languishing behind his house. This was a great thread for gas tank issues. I am sending a lot of pics for reference because I took a lot of pics when tearing down my 70

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

I really want to replace the tank in my truck and seeing this really sucks. Good thing for me is that i'm a plumber's apprentice and I solder all day long. It would be nothing for me to heat, remove, reheat and then solder away. I'm glad I started that job now.

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Bigdon - I'm thinking your tank looks pretty bad from the outside and wonder how bad it is inside. May not be worth saving.

I ended up cutting the filler neck off of the tank that the guy put on yesterday and used about a 4" piece of fuel hose that goes directly off of the tank then to the old filler neck that was attached to the tank. That fixed my problem.

So, for me, it would have been cheaper to have just left the new tank like it was when I bought it, hack sawed off the neck from my old tank and used the short piece of rubber fuel hose to connect the two.

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Anybody have an idea as to my question about the 71-72 suburban gas tank size?

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

If I remember correctly the filler neck for the suburban is in a different place. I can't recall how it's different though.
As far as the size goes it's the same.

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

Just wanted to add some additional info in relation to the tank I bought. Again, to make this particular tank fit I cut the neck off the old tank and used a piece of 1 3/8" fuel hose to attach my old neck to the short fitting on the new tank.

The box from my tank says Fuel Tank Kit and gives the following number: 69-9310-BKIT. The manufacture info was torn off of the box.

I got it from www.bowtiebits.com for $250 and it comes with the tank, the straps, a sending unit, new sending unit seal and lock ring. It did not include the rubbber strips that go between the tank and the straps.

Here are a couple pics of the old tank and the new tank

http://yukon.b0xen.us/albums/repotank/image/image1.jpg

http://yukon.b0xen.us/albums/repotank/image/image2.jpg

http://yukon.b0xen.us/albums/repotank/image/image3.jpg

http://yukon.b0xen.us/albums/repotank/image/image4.jpg

Here are a couple pics to show how I used the old tank's filler neck. About a 4" piece of hose goes from the new tanks existing filler neck and attaches to the bent piece that I cut off my old tank, then it connects to the long piece that will go up the side of the Blazer.

http://yukon.b0xen.us/70blazer/tankfiller1.jpg

http://yukon.b0xen.us/70blazer/tankfiller2.jpg

http://yukon.b0xen.us/70blazer/tankfiller3.jpg

Re: Fuel Tank Fun
 

I finally soldered my fill tune to the aftermarket tank. Not a fun day! The silver solder on the new tank was very difficult to melt and the two studs that hold the filler tube in place fell out. I used the studs from the old filler (but they fit loosely and were hard to get in with the filler tube and get nuts on all at the same time). I then soldered everything back up with regular solder. It did not want to stick to the tank and the tank leaked the first two times. Finally on the third time it held and seems solid. I expect to be installing the tank this week sometime. I'll post how it goes. I may even add pictures.