The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1973 - 1987 Chevrolet & GMC Squarebody Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-08-2021, 12:35 PM   #1
Artie in Miami
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: PALMETTO BAY
Posts: 46
86 suburban fuel tank ?

I am replacing my gas tank in 86 Suburban R20 (rust)...drained the tank...loosened the straps...jack under tank. Cannot get tank low enough to remove the fuel lines, filler hose etc on top of tank...filler hose is preventing lowering tank. Any thoughts/tricks I should know about ? The tank is HUGE...must be 35 or 40 gallons.
Artie in Miami is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2021, 12:47 PM   #2
Ziegelsteinfaust
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Temple City
Posts: 3,628
Re: 86 suburban fuel tank ?

My G10 van is similar.

Un-do the filler neck, and that helps it slide down.

Or cut the filler hose to pull it out.

They are not easy
Ziegelsteinfaust is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2021, 12:16 PM   #3
Artie in Miami
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: PALMETTO BAY
Posts: 46
Re: 86 suburban fuel tank ?

I thought about cutting the fill hose as I cannot remove the hose from the steel line coming from the fuel fill door. Yes...you are correct...this job is a BEAR !
Artie in Miami is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2021, 02:45 PM   #4
Corts60
Just here to tinker
 
Corts60's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Holland, MI
Posts: 3,697
Re: 86 suburban fuel tank ?

You must have the 40 gallon tank option. Let us know how it goes!
Corts60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2021, 11:32 PM   #5
1976gmc20
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Montana
Posts: 3,696
Re: 86 suburban fuel tank ?

I had to do my 91 a couple times.

I did get the filler hose off one end or the other - can't remember which right now. It definitely is difficult to pull it off. Pretty sure I got it off the filler neck and left the other end attached to tank? Yeah, because I stuck a siphon hose directly down the hose to empty the tank.

As for the fuel lines, I loosened the straps and dropped the tank down a few inches. Might have to support the tank with jack, blocks, or a strap running from a frame crossmember near the axle and back to the trailer hitch. Anyway then I could with some difficulty reach in over the frame from the left wheel well and loosen the gas lines (TBI) with an open end wrench. Just takes patience as you can only turn about 1/8 turn at a time.

On mine it was a trick getting to clear the tailpipe and hangar, and of course after that you have to slide the tank sideways to left/driver to get the fill hose clear of the frame.

If you're replacing the tank and fill hose then you could just cut the darn thing

Putting it back in, I used the aforementioned strap to support and lift the tank until I could get the fuel lines and mounting straps connected. I just used a tow strap, hook on one end to the frame above the axle, under the tank, and then a half hitch around the trailer ball. I had my wife taking up the "belay" as I lifted and guided the tank from below.

I had the rear wheels up on my ramp timbers for more clearance.
__________________
Current/past Chevy/GMC trucks:
1958 Chevy C-60; 1965 GMC C-50; 1965 Chevy C-10; 1971 Chevy K-10; 1973 Chevy K-20; 1976 GMC C-20; 1977 Chevy C-10 Suburban; 1980 Chevy K-10; 1989 Chevy K1500; 1991 GMC V1500 Suburban; 2016 Chevy K2500 HD

Other vehicles: 1988 Jeep XJ; 2011 Toyota 4Runner
1976gmc20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 12:50 PM   #6
roboticjunky
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: IN
Posts: 209
Re: 86 suburban fuel tank ?

Have you tried taking the cover off inside of the Suburban to get to the filler hose.

Like in this pic.
roboticjunky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 01:02 PM   #7
Artie in Miami
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: PALMETTO BAY
Posts: 46
Re: 86 suburban fuel tank ?

Thanks for all the input guys...I finally got the filler hose off...using WD40 and channel locks ! Got the tank out, and found it was pristine inside !! The rust in the fuel filter is coming from the rusted 3/8" fuel line and pickup tube (on sending unit). Obviously, I need to replace the fuel line...what about the other two lines coming off the sending unit ? One is 5/16" and the other is 1/4"...do I need to replace those also ? What are these two lines for...is one a return and the other a vent or something. The 3/8" fuel line from sending unit to pump will not be tough to remove/replace...the other two will be a challenge...this beast has dual exausts/mufflers and the muffler heat shield hides some of the bolts that hold these two lines to the frame. The 3/8 fuel line goes on the outboard side of the frame...so it will not be a problem. These lines are probably rusted as well...and while I am down there, I could replace them (I think !!)...if I don't need to...I won't touch them !
Thanks again...this forum is the best !
Artie in Miami is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 01:08 PM   #8
Artie in Miami
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: PALMETTO BAY
Posts: 46
Re: 86 suburban fuel tank ?

And yes....it is a 40 gallon gas tank !! The guy that owned this truck before me ordered it with all the bells and whistles to tow his 25 foot boat...411 rear end, 4 bbl carb, dual exhausts, oil cooler, American Racing Mag wheels...after letting his wife driving it for about two years...he learned that she never had the oil or tranny fluid checked...engine was shot and tranny slipping...so...he bought a brand new engine (not rebuilt) and had tranny rebuilt...then bought a new truck and let this sit in the garage for a few years. Then I got it ! So it is worth repairing.
Artie in Miami is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2021, 08:58 AM   #9
Palf70Step
State of Confusion!

 
Palf70Step's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 47,221
Re: 86 suburban fuel tank ?

If you are there and from what you said of the condition of the main line, I would do them all and make it solid for another 40ish years.
__________________
Bill
1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside
2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD

Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC)

Bill's Gallery
Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!
Palf70Step is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:46 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com