Better Gas Tank

[rbdenton]

Hi Guys,
I'm just taking out my gas tank out of my M715 to sandblast and paint underneath it and I was wondering if there is a plastic tank that can replace the original one. The
orig. seems fine but appears to have that flaky loose rust inside that keeps coming loose every once in a while. I'd rather replace with a plastic tank like My 880 has on it if there is one that can be found without mortgaging the house and that is size appropriate to fill the same space or close to it. Any ideas. Thanks

rbd

[Arch8]

You might have better luck finding an answer to this question if you post under Open Discussion or Modified Tech. PM a moderator, they'll help you out.

[brute4c]

I dont know of anything plastic that fits...dont remember hearing about such a conversion.

[phoenix]

I wonder if one of the fuel cells used on race cars and off road racers would work. they are relatively the correct size and shape. I am not sure on the filler tube. those probably come out the top not the side.

[brute4c]

What about capacity? Figure it will be less than the stock 28 but not sure what they run...

[rbdenton]

Hey guys thanks for that info and I have decided to evaluate my existing tank and after refinishing the exterior of it and blasting and painting (undercarriage of truck) and everything i'll be covering when I put it back, I might just have it re-lined by chem process to prevent future trouble. It takes about two weeks I'm told because they have to do it in repeated layers and cost between $150-200, Has anyone had any bad experiences with that process? I'm also looking to replace the gauge sending unit (gauge presently not reading) and the tanks 1/4 inch line that attaches to the fuel line to the pump. It's got three small holes in it. That might be the trickier thing to find and I;ve considered jst repairing the part that sticks out from the tank with a resin because the part inside looks very clean. Thanks
rbd

[Ronner]

Might want to check the ground on that sending unit first before you replace it. Nothing against a new one, but these are a little prone, IMHO, to developing a bad ground from the sending unit top to the frame.

[loosewrenchcowboy]

why use resin if you have it out of the tank? hose it off with brake clean and weld a piece of tube in to replace the rusty one. also, i was at the junk yard the other day and saw a late 90's dodge dakota frame and drivetrain. the gas tank is a little smaller, probably about 18-20 gallons, but its square, fills from the drivers side of the frame, and has a top mounted sending unit. just something you may want to look at. if i go back out there next weeekend i'll take a tape measure and post my findings.

[wrecker]

As for the pickup unit and sending unit, I didn't want to use the stock setup. I cut a hole in the top of the tank and welded in the top of a 77 chevy van tank. Now I have the cam lock to remove the pickup unit/sender and can change the pickup sleeve sleeve as well without having to un solder anything. The pick up/sender are not readily available new, so you'll want to find one in pretty good shape or use a much newer donor. I chose the 77 because I had scrapped a van and they don't buy the tank. This pickup did require some unbending to get it to the bottom of the stock tank. An extension might be recommended too, but I have not had any problems other than the float adjustment isn't quite right. It stays on full forever and then skyrockets to empty very quickly. I have been too lazy to pull the tank and readjust the float though.

[wrecker]

Oh yeah, the newer tank setup also has a return line (for an emmissions canister I think) whick will come in handy in case I add fuel injection later.