Stock in-cab fuel tank use in diesel swap???

[ChaseTruck754]

good to know - thanks Brady. I don't have any others besides the one on the crew to compare to and it's been a while since I had the other trucks so can't remember if that thing was normal or not.

[BradyCouchman]

here is what mine looks like.

[Beef Stew]

I'm doing an EFI 5.0 swap into my '71 F-100. I used the original feed line as the return line and I added a sump to the bottom of my tank and plumbed in a new feed line.

IIRC diesel injection pumps do not like to pull fuel which you're making it do by using the stock fuel line. You're best bet is to pull the tank and add a sump like I did. I rinsed mine out like 5-6 times with just water and then added in a bunch of Palmolive for one last rinse. After the cleaning process the inside of the tank smelled more like soap than gas. I drilled a hole in the bottom of the tank and added in a 4" piece of scrap steel tubing that extends down past the cab. The end of the tube sump is capped and drilled and tapped for 1/2" NPT. I welded it all together without a problem. No explosions or fires.

Keep using your vent line for what it was meant for.

[Festus Hagen]

Beef Stew,

That is what lift pumps are for.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

[bendog]

Originally Posted by 71cc

From what I have read diesel fuel will attack the galvanizing inside the tank.It makes it release from the metal and get into your fuel system.I would research some more.It would be nice to have some way to drain water off the tank as well.

X2 Not sure where I heard it, in fact when you first started this thread I typed up a reply to this effect, but deleted it when I couldn't remember where I had heard it.

[Beef Stew]

Originally Posted by Festus Hagen

Beef Stew,

That is what lift pumps are for.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

I didn't see any indication that the OP was going to use a lift pump.

[71cc]

Originally Posted by bendog

X2 Not sure where I heard it, in fact when you first started this thread I typed up a reply to this effect, but deleted it when I couldn't remember where I had heard it.

Here is some backing..

Handle Fuel with Care

scroll down to "contamination"

Do not store diesel fuel in galvanized containers because the fuel may dissolve the zinc coating, which can then remain in solution until deposited in the pump or injectors. Fuel additives often contain alcohol or another solvent that can dissolve plastic parts. Use additives with extreme caution—only after considering the engine manufacturer’s recommendations.

Here is some more from "official" sources. LOL

Section

\5\ Gasoline fuel tanks constructed of iron or steel, which are less than 5 millimeter (0.1875 inch) thick,

shall be galvanized inside and outside by the hot dip process. Tanks intended for use with diesel oil shall

not be internally galvanized.

There are plenty hits if you Google it. It is a concern.

[ChaseTruck754]

Well crap. There goes that idea

Time to go back to the plan of just putting the dodge tank in my bed until I figure something else out.

Anybody here know if the Bronco II gas tanks are metal or poly/plastic?

[71cc]

Originally Posted by ChaseTruck754

Well crap. There goes that idea

Time to go back to the plan of just putting the dodge tank in my bed until I figure something else out.

Anybody here know if the Bronco II gas tanks are metal or poly/plastic?

Two steps forward and three back, I know the feeling. the bright side is you know now, not later when you have Pump and injector problems.Look in my gallery, I mounted a factory aft axle tank for my conversion.The only trick is mounting a filler for it.I believe a van has a similar tank for narrow frames.It is only like 17 gallons

[ChaseTruck754]

Yeah - it's better to know now rather than later so thanks.

I looked in your gallery but didn't see any pics showing the tank. Do you know what it came out of?

I'm going to be looking a bit closer at the new stupid-duties to see if they might have a tank I can adapt. If that doesn't work I can always make an aluminum one, or use the spare 36 gal. fuel cell I had for the ranger.

[71cc]

oops, I don't have all my pics loaded. Look at my pics on my myspace profile.They have better descriptions anyway.
MySpace.com - Kevin - 34 - Male - PARIS, Texas - www.myspace.com/kevinberkley
That tank is from a 79 crew cab.They are still the narrow frame width like a cab/chassis or highboy.A regular 79 truck frame is 3 inches or so wider.I have another tank from a 80'ish van/ Bronco ?t is near identical to the one shown.You will need to rig a way to mount it if you don't have a donor truck crossmember and pan.I converted to a short bed so the saddle tanks won't fit mine.I know it is more money, but a tank/tool box combo is pretty attractive for ease of install and capacity.I wanted to put a topper on mine.

[ChaseTruck754]

Just found out in another thread that the Bronco II tanks are metal - dang, there goes that as a backup

On to looking for another tank to fit. I can make mounts/filler neck for darn near anything so that is less of a big deal than finding one that physically fits in the truck. Frame widths are so narrow on these "highboys" that fitting something between the driveshaft and frame is tight (custom aluminum tank might be the answer here), and then the space for something under the bed, between the rear frame rails is tight.

Is that tank in the back of your crew plastic? I bet one would be hard to find, but it looks like a cool deal.

As for the in-bed tanks or tool boxes - I have never been a fan of those. They just never look "good" to me.

[71cc]

Yes the one in that pic is plastic as well as the "van" tank. I think the full size bronco frame is wider..? Both tanks I have will fit the narrow frame.

[ChaseTruck754]

Good to know - thanks!

[4wydnr]

I was doing a search on this subject as I just picked up a 38 gal tank for cheap. I read that the spectra premium tanks are ni-tern (sp) steel which contains no zinc making them safe for diesel. They have the appearance of a galvanized tank because they are dipped in nickel. You may want to do some research of your own but just thought I'd let you know your idea may not be dead.