Fuel tank from later model 'Burb??

[-Greg72]

My searches here have revealed a number of sources for aftermarket tanks (the ECE Stainless 27 Gallon one is beautiful)... and I've seen a few other options in the 20 - 24 gallon range.

My '72 has it's original "factory option" 50+/- gallon fuel tank. It's a monster and hangs lower than I'd like...and there is no provisions for a return-based EFI setup (obviously). The ECE tank is a great looking choice, but with a thirsty 496BBC going into this build, 27 gallons really isn't going to give me much range....at least not the 300-350 miles that I think would be reasonable.

I've seen some late model Suburban tanks that are already set up for EFI with the necessary fuel returns, and IIRC at least one of them comes in around a 40 gallon size.

My question is if anyone here has ever tried to install a late-model GM fuel tank in one of these older Burbs....or is it just a total fitment nightmare??


-G

[gemiii]

I took the 40some gallon tank out of my 89 burb that had TBI and put it in my 72 burb. I cut the fill neck off of my old tank and welded it in the correct location to fit the fill tunnel. It fit good and I used the straps from the 89 burb. My body was off so it wasn't that hard but it could be a challenge otherwise. See my build thread for pics.

George

[68_2_H8]

I was just browsing myself about doing this as a later model larger tank beats the $450 aluminum one from classic performance parts. Wonder if it'd hang too low with a bagged burb?

[-Greg72]

Thanks for the leads...

I've been driving around with a broken fuel gauge for about a year (suspect a bad ground near the tank). Yesterday, I ran out of gas and ended up walking. That was the tipping point for me.

As anyone with a factory HUGE tank already knows, it's almost impossible to reach the wires and hoses at the top of the tank....so I'll have to drop the entire thing to get a closer look at it. Fortunately, I only put a few gallons of fuel in to get me home, so it won't weigh 400Lbs and spill everywhere!!

The "might as well" syndrome apparently applies to Suburbans as well as Blazers....I thought this might be a good time to swap in a slightly smaller tank that had the EFI return system already plumbed in, so that there will be less to do when I start the motor swap.

Does anyone know if I can use the EFI tank as a "standard" tank with a stock mechanical fuel pump and just plug the return lines for now?


-G

[DBear]

autozone carries the "spectre premium tanks"...they are real nice. I bought one that is for a 84 Blazer/Burb, and it will fit pretty nice after I move the rear frame cross brace. 31 gallon tank for about $138.00

[Beelzeburb]

I've been in that exact same situation. Big 40 gallon tank, but the gauge didn't work because of a short and I ran out of gas everywhere. It gets old real quick.
I've now got the 31 gallon EFI tank from a Blazer that I came across at a junkyard. I just updated my story/build thread today with the details of how I mounted it and overcame the filler neck conundrum.

[kev2809]

I was thinking of trying the s10 blazer tanks. I know they are smaller than the square body c10s so I'm not sure if it would help your situation. my goal is to get a newer (age) tank that is a smaller profile.

[capev86]

i don't want to lose the frame cross brace but a bigger tank from a later model burb would be awesome, especially since it has round corners unlike the boxy aftermarket tanks that would look out of place on my nearly stock 72 burb 3/4 ton 2wd. any pics of retrofitted tanks? any ideas on if the cross member can just be moved back....drilling required, etc?

[kbrown]

I have a 72 Burb, I was wandering if my tank is factory or if someone has made the tank. I can't see how the tank is in place, It looks like there are carrage bolts thru the floor, the tank is steel. Hope some one can help.
Thanks
Kevin

[kev2809]

pics? stock tank has j hooks that connect to the frame...nothin through the floor that I remember

[Bigdav160]

I might have the same tank as Kevin. If i remember I'll take a pic

I believe there are 4 long bolts that go through the floor and hold up the bottom of the tank with giant nuts. (1/2 square drive).

I haven't tried to remove it (yet) but there must be 4 tubes through the tank for the carriage bolts to go through.

[Bigdav160]

Here's a pic. I have no idea how many gallons. I'm not sure if it's homemade (I don't think so). It is cut out for the crossmember.

The dent came from the PO's homemade trailer hitch. I'm test fitting another.

[Beelzeburb]

That's the exact same tank I used to have. I've seen pictures of it mounted to a number of our generation of Suburbans. When I removed it, mine still had a sticker which stated a Federal and California emissions compliance statement together with the name of the company: Travel Accessories Manufacturing Co. Inc.

[kbrown]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

Here's a pic. I have no idea how many gallons. I'm not sure if it's homemade (I don't think so). It is cut out for the crossmember.

The dent came from the PO's homemade trailer hitch. I'm test fitting another.

That is the same tank that I have,

[BK72BURB_3/4Ton4x4]

Same boat...running a built 496 with a 21 gallon tank and broken fuel guage. Not a matter of "IF" but "WHEN" I don't calculate the odometer correctly and sputter to the side of the road out of gas. (I'm looking for gas every 100 miles)

Also looked into the ECE 28 gallon stainless tank with a $1k price tag. Gorgeous tank and EFI compatible but not much more headroom than the 21 gallon tank I have. My '91 TBI Suburban has a 30 gallon tank, have not really compared the two side by side but could take some measurements if anyone was interested.

Let me know if you find another source in the 30+ gallon range, have been looking and not found one.

Brian

[jaywashburn]

Greg 72,

I too have a '72 K10 that has a 50 gal gas tank. You mention that it was a "factory option". I didn't know that. I assumed that the PO had installed an
after market tank on it. I also noticed he (PO) cut a small square out of the
wood bed right over the sending unit so it's now a hinged trap door; apparently to access the wiring.

[Bigdav160]

In another thread Greg states the 50 gallon tank was "dealer installed", which I believe is correct. I have not seen a RPO for a 50 gallon tank.

[jaywashburn]

BigDave,

thanks for passing along that link. It's good to know that my burb came with that size tank (albeit dealer option). It's amazing Greg's 72 is identical to mine except that I have a 4X4. Wow.

[Bigdav160]

Great looking Suburban Jay. Do you know the history of yours?

Mine spent it's life in California running the coast from Baja to the northern part. Filling the 50 gallon tank probably wasn't as bad @ 25 cents a gallon.

[jaywashburn]

I bought the burb in San Diego just over a year ago. It spent all of it's life in CA. Completed the full resto on int/ext this year. Just love these rigs.

[kbrown]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

Here's a pic. I have no idea how many gallons. I'm not sure if it's homemade (I don't think so). It is cut out for the crossmember.

The dent came from the PO's homemade trailer hitch. I'm test fitting another.

Does your gas gauge work, Mine does not , have not dropped the tank yet to see what the problem might be. Also is that a stock receiver hitch for a 72 burb. Mine is a home made pos.
Thanks
Kevin 904-463-0518

[ericjon262]

Maybe this will help?

ttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=551269

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by kbrown

That is the same tank that I have,

Looks like I have the same tank in my 72 K20. how many gallons does it hold?

[Bigdav160]

I'm surprised I missed the updates to this thread. I've heard that these are 50 gallon tanks. My gas gauge no longer works but I'm sure it did at one time. The manufacture of the gas tanks was California based and I've seen so many that I believe they were very popular there. Perhaps a dealer accessory.

Kevin, the trailer hitch came off an R body Suburban. I had to grind out one rivet on each side to bolt it to the frame. There's a small gap at the middle bolt but I plan to weld a spacer to the hitch in that position.