Gas tank treatment?
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Elder User
Joined: May 2006
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From: Too far north of I-10
Gas tank treatment?
Hey folks! Well, I'm still trying to decide how stock to stay with my incredibly straight and stock '60 F100. I have all the stuff to relocate the gas tank (including a new tank and sending unit from CPP), and do the front disc conversion (also from CPP). I'm thinking I may want to save that stuff for my hot rod project though. I have another '60 (rustbucket) that I'm eventually planning on heavily modifying. I think it was Col Flashman that said rustbuckets are good candidates for rodding, stock trucks should stay that way. I agree. This is what I want to know: I've been reading about leaving gas tanks in the original position, and having them sealed and dipped. Sealed with what? Dipped in what? I've been thinking about the drawbacks of having several gallons of smelly, explosive liquid in the cab with me doing 80 down the interstate, and I'm having a hard time deciding how stock is stock enough. Anyway, if anyone has treated their tanks and left them in the cab, can I have some feedback on how you did it? Do you like it? Advantages? Drawbacks? Thanks!
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Kalispell, MT
My truck is a 48. Stock tank location. No smells, drips or other errors. I figure it's safer in the cab with all the sheetmetal wrapped around it than hanging back between the frame rails, but enough opinions.
I was rear ended one year after putting my truck on the road. I was turning in my road, other guy was flying low. The collision destroyed the front of his late model X-cab F250 4X4 and he needed a wrecker to haul him back to town. The impact spun my truck 180 deg and dumped me in a deep ditch. Nearly tipped over on the side before dropping back on it's wheels. He hit me hard enough that it emptied the glove box. I bent an axle, a wheel and flattened a tire in the process. Frame later was found to be bent and it broke a motor mount. Thru all that the in-cab tank didn't spill a drop of gas. I'm keeping mine where it is, thanks.
Sealed and dipped? Dipped to clean it - any radiator repair shop should be able to it for you. After it's clean then it gets sealed if it needs it. Lots of different sealing alternatives. Basically it creates a fuel proof bladder within the metal tank. Hope this simple description helps.
I was rear ended one year after putting my truck on the road. I was turning in my road, other guy was flying low. The collision destroyed the front of his late model X-cab F250 4X4 and he needed a wrecker to haul him back to town. The impact spun my truck 180 deg and dumped me in a deep ditch. Nearly tipped over on the side before dropping back on it's wheels. He hit me hard enough that it emptied the glove box. I bent an axle, a wheel and flattened a tire in the process. Frame later was found to be bent and it broke a motor mount. Thru all that the in-cab tank didn't spill a drop of gas. I'm keeping mine where it is, thanks.
Sealed and dipped? Dipped to clean it - any radiator repair shop should be able to it for you. After it's clean then it gets sealed if it needs it. Lots of different sealing alternatives. Basically it creates a fuel proof bladder within the metal tank. Hope this simple description helps.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I'm with Tim on the gas tank location. I see nothing wrong with having it in the cab. It was the Pintos with the tank in the rear that had all the explosions. I don't recall reading a single story about a tank in the cab of these old trucks rupturing. These trucks are tough and it would take a hell of a crash to rupture the gas tank. I had my tank professionally done by a radiator shop. I saw no reason to move it out back where it is more likely to take a hit. The only disadvantage is fumes which can be avoided with the proper gas cap and sealing of the sending unit... 
Vern
Vern
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Durham NC
The sealing compound is called "slushing compound" and is available from motorcycle shops, private plane maintainance facilities, and a number of online suppliers like Eastwood. DIY methods of tank cleaning and sealing have been discussed many times, and a search should turn up a lot of reading material on the subject.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2006
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From: Too far north of I-10
Cool, thanks fellas! Now, does anybody have a picture of a tank in the cab that has been tastefully covered/carpeted? Mine isn't covered at all...would just like some ideas. Thanks again!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I just painted mine black...no pictures though. It's behind the seat anyway. What's to see? 
Vern
Vern
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Laughing Gas
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From: New York
Originally Posted by GreatNorthWoods
I'm with Tim on the gas tank location. I see nothing wrong with having it in the cab. It was the Pintos with the tank in the rear that had all the explosions. I don't recall reading a single story about a tank in the cab of these old trucks rupturing. These trucks are tough and it would take a hell of a crash to rupture the gas tank.
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Posting Guru
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From: Panama City, Fl
The problem with in cab tanks is not from the rear. A "test" many years ago showed how, when hit on the drivers side, the tank may rupture at the point of the filler neck joining with the tank. Also the rollover to the drivers side would cause spillage. Both these were possible fire problems. Now, with all that, I have never moved one from the cab on any of mine or my Dad's trucks. I even got hit broadside at the drivers door in a '45 Ford pickup backin '69. Bent the frame, door, running board, front fender, and shifted the seat a bit. Hurt like hell too. Never lost a drop of gas and even drove the truck 45 miles home. So much for fires.....
Similiar problems were identified with the saddle tanks that sit outside the frame rails. Looks like more legal junk than anything else although, there are most likely those who have had problems.
Similiar problems were identified with the saddle tanks that sit outside the frame rails. Looks like more legal junk than anything else although, there are most likely those who have had problems.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,511
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From: peyton, colorado
Remember, Ford put the tank in the cab up to about 1980, long after product liability lawyers had entered the picture, so I don't think safety was the reason they moved it. You do get some fumes when filling up from the filler location outside the window. I don't see much of an advantage moving the tank to the rear for safety reasons, and you lose your spare tire to boot.
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Joined: May 2006
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POR-15 has a gas tank sealer kit for about $60.
there is some other stuff caller Red-Kote for about the same price.
My tank did not leak, it was just rusting badly on the inside so I was to seal it to stop that. I have not sealed it yet but seams to be pretty straight forward. Google "Por-15 Store" and "Red-Kote" and you will find them. The red-Kote stuff seemed to be pretty caustic to use. I think they are also on E-bay as well.
Good luck,
Jay
there is some other stuff caller Red-Kote for about the same price.
My tank did not leak, it was just rusting badly on the inside so I was to seal it to stop that. I have not sealed it yet but seams to be pretty straight forward. Google "Por-15 Store" and "Red-Kote" and you will find them. The red-Kote stuff seemed to be pretty caustic to use. I think they are also on E-bay as well.
Good luck,
Jay
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by Randy Jack
The single biggest reason to move the gas tank out of the cab is so you can disappear that ugly gas filler neck on the cab corner. Smoothed off, it looks really nice. 
Vern
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Elder User
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From: Too far north of I-10
Originally Posted by Randy Jack
The single biggest reason to move the gas tank out of the cab is so you can disappear that ugly gas filler neck on the cab corner. Smoothed off, it looks really nice.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Riverside, So Cal
Originally Posted by Code3
How about leaving the tank where it is, but doing one of those marine-type flush mounted thingees? Thanks for all the input folks!
I researched that idea for a long time and came up with nothing I liked.