Gas tank replacement

[rebootej]

Can I put a non hump 71 b-body gas tank in my 74 Satellite if i build a structure to support where the hump (vapor separator) was? Not using the vapor seperator, and my current tank is leaking, the none humped ones are much cheeper.

 

[Bruzilla]

I considered using a 73 tank in my 74 as they looked the same minus the hump, but then I looked at the actual tank dimensions and saw they were different. The hook up points for the straps are in specific positions to align with indents on the tank, so the real critical element is does the new tank have the same spacing for the indents as the 74 tank? If they don't you're going to have to do some fabricating work.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

I considered using a 73 tank in my 74 as they looked the same minus the hump, but then I looked at the actual tank dimensions and saw they were different. The hook up points for the straps are in specific positions to align with indents on the tank, so the real critical element is does the new tank have the same spacing for the indents as the 74 tank? If they don't you're going to have to do some fabricating work.

I'm curious about this. Are these indents only at the lip/seam of the tanks where I suppose you could "bend some new indents" or do they run the entire length of the tank as sort of "built in channels"?

 

[rebootej]

I do have a 71 satellite sitting at my dads shop, i can probably pull the tank and compare the two.. i think it has a gas tank

 

[Bruzilla]

I'm curious about this. Are these indents only at the lip/seam of the tanks where I suppose you could "bend some new indents" or do they run the entire length of the tank as sort of "built in channels"?

They run the entire length. If you look at this picture, on the rear lip of the tank are two sections that are bent up. Those are where the straps come up from the underside of the tank. The channels run down the length of the tank's underside just like the ones on top.

 

[rebootej]

They run the entire length. If you look at this picture, on the rear lip of the tank are two sections that are bent up. Those are where the straps come up from the underside of the tank. The channels run down the length of the tank's underside just like the ones on top.

View attachment 427258

The channels look pretty close... Ill try to measure soon. What about a good source for sending units?

 

[PurpleBeeper]

The channels look pretty close... Ill try to measure soon. What about a good source for sending units?

View attachment 427363

Don't get me started on sending units. I've heard a bunch of stories about aftermarket ones being way off (like the one I have in my car now).

Another possible option - If you're tank isn't rusted all to heck & just leaking, why not take it to a radiator repair shop? I've had a tank repaired like that. Except for being careful about gasoline vapors it's a similar repair.

 

[Bruzilla]

The channels look pretty close... Ill try to measure soon. What about a good source for sending units?

View attachment 427363

Good question. I've been having this discussion on another thread. There are lots of retail sources for senders, but the question is how many manufacturers are there? Some guys think if you pay $130 from a high-end dealer you're getting a high-end sender, and don't know of many companies here in the US who are making these, so my suspicion is you're getting the same Chinese re-pop part or components whether you pay $130 from a high-end dealer or pay $40 on ebay. As I mentioned on the other string, I would love to compare the units side by side and see what the differences are... I suspect there are none.

The one thing you do need to make sure of is you buy a sender with an angled outlet. This allows you to easily route the fuel line past the exhaust pipe. Don't buy one with a straight outlet. It'll work, but you'll need to do some work to get the line routed without kinking.