Replace or Leave Alone?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
Replace or Leave Alone?
I am going to be taking my truck bed off the chasis very soon for paint. I wonder about the 30 year old gas tank. Other than the very brittle and deteriorating rubber hose that connects the fuel filler to the gas tank, the gas tank itself seems to be fine and the carburetor bowls stay clean.
Should I go ahead and replace the entire gas tank now while the bed is off and I have easy access, or should I just leave well enough alone?
Should I go ahead and replace the entire gas tank now while the bed is off and I have easy access, or should I just leave well enough alone?
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
If it looks to be in serviceable condition and in good operating order, I'd leave well enough alone... if it's ain't broke, don't fix it. Chinese-made replicas are woefully thin and cost about a hundred bucks.
Might replenish the soft material between the tank and straps, though; the straps will eventually wear a hole through the tank if left metal to metal.
Might replenish the soft material between the tank and straps, though; the straps will eventually wear a hole through the tank if left metal to metal.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
I'd pop the sender out, and have a look inside. If it looks good in there, and no signs of issues on the outside, leave it be. 30 year old American steel, in good condition, is WAY better than new chineese steel, any day.
That was my reasoning behind spending an extra 30 minutes *carefully* removing the ~40 year old USA axle bearing, in order to reuse it, rather than going with a new china bearing, when dad's truck had a leaky axle seal........
That was my reasoning behind spending an extra 30 minutes *carefully* removing the ~40 year old USA axle bearing, in order to reuse it, rather than going with a new china bearing, when dad's truck had a leaky axle seal........
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 26
From: Connecticut
simple durability test, after you look under the mat (between the frame crossmember and tank skin), take a phillips screwdriver, stab the tank. If it goes through it was week anyway.
Just got a new tank from advance auto, measured and verified it is the same gauge steel. BUT I still applied Upol "Gravitex" chip guard over the whole exterior before installing.
"should" last longer than me...........
Just got a new tank from advance auto, measured and verified it is the same gauge steel. BUT I still applied Upol "Gravitex" chip guard over the whole exterior before installing.
"should" last longer than me...........
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
Likes: 5
From: Broken Arrow , OK
I used some old inner tube for the buffer between the straps and tank when I did mine. I used a little RTV to stick it in place.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
My tank is at least 5 years older, yet I have no plans to replace it. I *may* delete it when I do the diesel conversion, and add a larger capacity rear tank. Only reason I would delete it, is the older galvanized tanks aren't the best choice for diesel fuel, unless the fuel is kept fresh. Newer tanks aren't galvanized, but if I buy one, it will be a 30+ gallon for the rear, where I don't currently have anything.
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