Aftermarket fuel tank experiences

[77shorty]

Well, I have a hole in my original tank.....I discovered that the used oe one I bought has a JB welded screw in it....nice huh? I've priced one place locally and got a $250.00 quote to fix up my original one.....dang high. My question is: has anyone had a decent experience with an aftermarket tank? The attractive part is price on a repopped tank, but I don't want a lot of headaches with returning or having to modify anything "new", so I'm interested to hear what my truck brothers have done.
My truck has a single 16 gallon tank....77 shortbed c10.

Thanks in advance.
Mark

[ElGracho]

I've bought several of the 80 dollar spectra premium tanks from amazon. No problems.

[77shorty]

thats good news.....I forgot to ask about the sending units too....also amazon?

[vht]

I've used both and never had any problems, sometimes the lip has to be bent some to fit in the brackets. No biggie.

[old Rusty C10]

I went to advanced auto parts and got the spectra tank and whatever float3 they offer I brought in a competitor ad and they matched it about five years still work great

[Greenlee]

I originally had a plastic aftermarket tank. Not sure what brand it was, but it developed a leak around where the sending unit seals to the tank. I kept smelling gas when I would fill up and finally saw where it was coming from. It had screws with metal clips that held the sending unit down. I tried cleaning it up and tightening the screws but it still leaked. I switched to a metal aftermarket tank from LMC and have had no more leaks. The metal tanks have a lip with a locking ring that holds the sending unit down. Long story short: aftermarket tanks are fine, but I will never buy another plastic one.

[tucsonjwt]

I have had bad luck with Spectra sending units. They caused a bouncing fuel gauge needle, and the original sending units did not do that. They do reflect the correct fuel level when the gas gauge needle settles down. I would spend the extra $$ to buy AC/Delco sending units, just because the bouncing needle irritates me. However, the Delco units were about an extra $100 each the last time I checked.

[77shorty]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

I have had bad luck with Spectra sending units. They caused a bouncing fuel gauge needle, and the original sending units did not do that. They do reflect the correct fuel level when the gas gauge needle settles down. I would spend the extra $$ to buy AC/Delco sending units, just because the bouncing needle irritates me. However, the Delco units were about an extra $100 each the last time I checked.

Good to hear>....I'm experiencing needle bounce and it kind of makes me crazy....so, thanks for the heads up on that situation......I heavily dislike redoing things after I've spent time researching and tweaking about it.....sheesh. Thank you very much.

[77shorty]

Tusconjwt.....I found an acdelco sending unit......and you're right.....149.00....but if it gets rid of the needle bounce, its money well spent......thanks again. Mark

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

I have had bad luck with Spectra sending units. They caused a bouncing fuel gauge needle, and the original sending units did not do that. They do reflect the correct fuel level when the gas gauge needle settles down. I would spend the extra $$ to buy AC/Delco sending units, just because the bouncing needle irritates me. However, the Delco units were about an extra $100 each the last time I checked.

[Ric's/86]

Spectra premium tanks are made in Canada. Very good quality in my opinion.
If i was you, buy it local (Auto zone, Advance auto, O'Reillys) that way you can exchange it easily if it's damage. I ordered mine at Auto zone. The store had to order three tanks to get one without damage. Imagine doing this through the internet. As for the sending unit. I looked every where. No AC Delco.

Good luck with your project.

[Ric's/86]

Originally Posted by 77shorty

Tusconjwt.....I found an acdelco sending unit......and you're right.....149.00....but if it gets rid of the needle bounce, its money well spent......thanks again. Mark

Make shore is for the driver side.

[77shorty]

Originally Posted by Ric's/86

Make shore is for the driver side.

My tank is on the passenger....its a 77 single tank.....what am I missing?

[Ric's/86]

Originally Posted by 77shorty

My tank is on the passenger....its a 77 single tank.....what am I missing?

I thoughy your tank was on the driver side.
There is a left side and a right side sending unit.

[PunishedC10]

I went with a 31 gallon tank from Spectra Premium and also a sending unit for 87-91 K5 Blazers/Suburban. But I am doing an ls swap and also needed the setup cor fuel injection. Stuffing them under the bed this week.

[gmachinz]

I like using Spectra tanks and new GM sending units.

[77shorty]

Originally Posted by gmachinz

I like using Spectra tanks and new GM sending units.

Thats what I'm gonna end up with me thinks.....BTW....I'll have an extra sending unit for a few days cuz I ordered two FLS1098 ac Delco units....found out I can get them through work at a much cheaper price....sooooo, If anyone is interested I'm willing to sell one.

[barry1982]

I have installed several aftermarket steel tanks. Never had a problem. Maybe I got lucky, but re used my original sending units without trouble as well.