Bed Swap/ Gas Tank Problem

[yoopone]

New to the forum today. I have owned a 1976 long bed for over 25 years now. It has been a victim of pretty bad rust but it is all restored. I installed the 3rd bed of it's life last winter. The bed came from Arizona and it came off of an 85 I beleive. It had the side mount gas doors. Truck has dual tanks. When I bought the proper filler necks to match up to the filler neck mounts I quickly discovered the original tank inlet neck is a smaller diameter. So I need new tanks. My question is will my current fuel pickup/sending units swap over from my 76 era gas tanks to the newer era tank with the 1 5/8" inlets? Any help would be appreciated!

[yoopone]

Someone has had to of done this kind of swap before, any help?

[madcow75]

I think all sending units are the same size in diameter on these trucks. If I am wrong someone please jump in. I you go to LMC website the gasket and seal ring are all the same from 73-87 on the saddle tanks.

[wyattglock]

Yes the sending units will swap over. Welcome to the forum! Also, I have had a reasonable amount of luck getting new gas tanks off ebay. I jus installed a new tank on the drivers side of my truck that I had bought for $85 shipped.
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[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Crap I just put a 84 bedside with the door on my 77. I don't have any of the new hoses yet.......I'd like to figure out what I have to do to.

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by yoopone

New to the forum today. I have owned a 1976 long bed for over 25 years now. It has been a victim of pretty bad rust but it is all restored. I installed the 3rd bed of it's life last winter. The bed came from Arizona and it came off of an 85 I beleive. It had the side mount gas doors. Truck has dual tanks. When I bought the proper filler necks to match up to the filler neck mounts I quickly discovered the original tank inlet neck is a smaller diameter. So I need new tanks. My question is will my current fuel pickup/sending units swap over from my 76 era gas tanks to the newer era tank with the 1 5/8" inlets? Any help would be appreciated!

What size is the old gas tank filler neck? If the new one is 1 5/8 can't you just get a pipe adapter? I think that would be the easiest.

[1LowToy]

Interesting find I may be doing some bed swaping myself. Just wondering when this change took place. But for your money I'd just have some new inlets fabed for your tank or tanks

[yoopone]

The old tank necks are 1 1/2" I believe. I actually was sitting in the garage with the new filler necks installed and I went to install the hoses quickly learning they were too big. So the problem with converting the existing tanks are the tank neck is smaller in diameter, I would put an adapter of some sort on it, attach the new hose and head to the gas station to fill it up. I have now created a narrowing in the line that will create some back pressure and shut the automatic gas pump off every 5 seconds. I do not think it will work efficiently. The slightest amount of back pressure shuts today's pumps off. The new gas tanks are only $95 a piece, so I think replacing the tanks is a good long term solution for me. So you need the plastic filler neck holders, the correct newer filler necks, new main hose to connect and the new gas tanks.

Thanks for the feedback guys, it really helps knowing I can use those sending units!

[yoopone]

Originally Posted by 1LowToy

Interesting find I may be doing some bed swaping myself. Just wondering when this change took place. But for your money I'd just have some new inlets fabed for your tank or tanks

I am pretty sure 82.

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by yoopone

The old tank necks are 1 1/2" I believe. I actually was sitting in the garage with the new filler necks installed and I went to install the hoses quickly learning they were too big. So the problem with converting the existing tanks are the tank neck is smaller in diameter, I would put an adapter of some sort on it, attach the new hose and head to the gas station to fill it up. I have now created a narrowing in the line that will create some back pressure and shut the automatic gas pump off every 5 seconds. I do not think it will work efficiently. The slightest amount of back pressure shuts today's pumps off. The new gas tanks are only $95 a piece, so I think replacing the tanks is a good long term solution for me. So you need the plastic filler neck holders, the correct newer filler necks, new main hose to connect and the new gas tanks.

Thanks for the feedback guys, it really helps knowing I can use those sending units!

So switching the tank to a newer one will fix the problem (like an 84), but will the newer tank fit in a 77 or older?

[yoopone]

Physically it will fit fine. The only question I had was if the sending units would swap over and that was answered above. So I am good to go, will be ordering two new tanks shortly.

[Jonboy]

I did just the opposite; used a newer baffled tank in my '74. It was already a PITA to fill up because it sits so low. I used a pipe adapter in the fuel filler to make mine work, but I need a bedside on that side anyhow. When (if) i replace it, I will put the later style on.