Gas Tank Idea for TBI Swap

[MTCK]

I am getting ready to do a TBI swap on my 77 K10. At the same time I am parting out a 91 suburban. I've been brainstorming the fuel tank dilema (how to find a baffled one) and have come up with a few options.

Order one baffled tank from LMC and set up a transfer pump to move fuel from the unbaffled tank to the baffled tank.

Order two baffled tanks, keep the stock selector valve / wiring and be done with it.

Install the suburban tank behind the rear axle and use a transfer pump in conjunction with the selector valve to pump out of either saddle tank into the suburban tank. Can the stock in-tank pump feed 20-22 psi of fuel?

I am intrigued by the idea of having over 70 gallons of fuel capacity.

Any thoughts?

[Restrorob]

I can see the headlines now;

Man has heart attach at gas pump

A Arkansas man pulled his truck up to a gas pump to fuel up, By the time he got around to all three tanks and looked at the pump he was struck with a heart attach.

To help prevent this from happening to you; Watch while your pumping and remember, While your pumping your getting pumped !


The 88 to 95 TBI fuel pumps are rated at 9 to 13 lbs, I found this out when working on my 97 fuel issues.....

[rfmaster]

Originally Posted by MTCK

I am getting ready to do a TBI swap on my 77 K10. At the same time I am parting out a 91 suburban. I've been brainstorming the fuel tank dilema (how to find a baffled one) and have come up with a few options.

Order one baffled tank from LMC and set up a transfer pump to move fuel from the unbaffled tank to the baffled tank.

Order two baffled tanks, keep the stock selector valve / wiring and be done with it.

Install the suburban tank behind the rear axle and use a transfer pump in conjunction with the selector valve to pump out of either saddle tank into the suburban tank. Can the stock in-tank pump feed 20-22 psi of fuel?

I am intrigued by the idea of having over 70 gallons of fuel capacity.

Any thoughts?

Marcus

Check out http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...eferrerid=9526

We had couple members contemplating doing similar swap. 6-port pollack can handle 60PSI.

[MTCK]

RF, thanks for the reply. I've spent a fair amount of time going through that thread as well as the one that you and DirtyLarry showed off your setups. I got under my parts suburban yesterday and measured and it definitely has a 40 gallon tank. There is no way it is fitting under my short bed without major work, so that idea is out. I'm leaning towards getting a pair of LMC tanks for an 87 truck but I have a few concerns.

Will the stock pickup from the carbed tank work with the baffled TBI tank?

Will the inline fuel pump pull through the selector valve or will I need another pump to wire up before the valve.

I have the one pump that came with my TBI but if I need another I may look at doing one tank and a transfer pump like Larry has.

Thanks again.

[rfmaster]

Originally Posted by MTCK

RF, thanks for the reply. I've spent a fair amount of time going through that thread as well as the one that you and DirtyLarry showed off your setups. I got under my parts suburban yesterday and measured and it definitely has a 40 gallon tank. There is no way it is fitting under my short bed without major work, so that idea is out. I'm leaning towards getting a pair of LMC tanks for an 87 truck but I have a few concerns.

Will the stock pickup from the carbed tank work with the baffled TBI tank?

Will the inline fuel pump pull through the selector valve or will I need another pump to wire up before the valve.

I have the one pump that came with my TBI but if I need another I may look at doing one tank and a transfer pump like Larry has.

Thanks again.

Marcus

Dimensionally 87 tank (aka GM1C) is the same as its earlier (Carb) brother - 56" x 14" x 11 LxWxH. The only part I am not 100 percent sure is the diameter of the fuel sending unit opening. However, knowing how GM designed things in the past they are probably the same. I would like to confirm it, but I do not have TBI specific fuel sending unit (which includes fuel pump), but I have earlier carb fuel sending unit in one of my spare tanks (do not ask - long story)

As for inline fuel pump - it all depends - some inline pumps work better than other lifting fuel from a tank if they are mounted in near proximity to the tank and low enough. Inline pumps also tend to be nosier and fail often from over heating (non brand name Chinese knock offs).

IMHO I would go with in tank fuel pumps and Pollack 42-159 6 port fuel switch:

http://pollak.thomasnet.com/Asset/IS-41_b.pdf

Since stock in tank TBI pumps can deliver 25 PSI deadheaded the fuel selector switch can easily handle this pressure. This way you have A or B tank selection at will with fuel gauge switching capability provided by the fuel selector switch.

//RF

[MTCK]

Thanks again for the reply, RF. I am going to order up a couple of the LMC tanks for an '87 and try to use the '77 sending units/ pickups. I'm also going to give it a go with the single inline pump that was supplied with the kit after the selector valve. I like the idea of the in tank pumps but am a little worried that they will supply the ~21 psi needed at the TB with the head loss from the tank to the intake. I will post up how this all turns out.

[Buick455]

I have an 86 and 87 (making one out of two) and the 86 will be fuel injected. I was just going to use the 87 fuel tank but I have been thinking about putting a race fuel tank behind the rear differential between the frame rails to basically get the bomb from under the cab. I just happen to have a tank ready to go that was to be used for my 1970 Buick GS but as the tuck project is ahead of the car project I may just use it and buy another one for the car when needed. Now I just have to work out the details. Note: I have a tilt bed on the truck.