55.2-59 Tanks Inc is pricey...lets see your cheaper setup for LS in a 55-59

[daveshilling]

So I pretty much settled on a Tanks, Inc setup for Lucky the 58 Trucky, but that price tag is a jagged pill.

Has anyone spent less than $500 on an underbed mustang-type of tank/pump/sender to feed a factory 5.3 LS? I've seen many tank variants but it's hard to really tell what is what on some of the threads, or there isnt enough info to make a comparison.

The goal is to not see the tank or have a low hanging one, hence the mustang style, and get the tank out of the cab and out back for numerous good reasons.

[jweb]

I'm sure this isn't any help to you. On my '51 I have a stock (behind the seat) tank. I had 2 bungs brazed on ( one for feed, one for return). I used a Walboro fuel pump mounted to the frame rail and a Corvette filter/regulator. It has been working great for a few years.

I just did an LS swap in an '86 Cutlass. On that car I used a Tanks Inc. tank, pump and sender. The pump was really noisy and the gauge would drop a lot around corners or up hill. May only be a problem with G body cars.

If you do use a Tanks Inc. make sure you check with Matt's Classic Bowites for pricing, you have to call or email for the best price. They were the lowest I found, I have used them for several things on my projects and they have great customer service.

[Dan in Pasadena]

In a word, no.

I bit the bullet and bought the Tanks, Inc Mustang-esque tank for my '55 with LQ4. And....it didn't fit well. The filler tube falls right in the middle of one of the stock bed board metal strips!

I thought they would have taken that into consideration. Had to weld up their filler and move it over a couple inches to make a through-the-bedwood filler work. DOH!

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by jweb

If you do use a Tanks Inc. make sure you check with Matt's Classic Bowties for pricing, you have to call or email for the best price.

Thanks for this tip!

[solidaxel]

Will this work with an LS in tank pump?
and under $80.00 for the tank with a sump!



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Lock Ring Kit Included
Innovative engineering, manufacturing technology and quality control ensure that Spectra Premium fuel tanks meet or exceed the performance of the original equipment they replace.

Features:
Includes lock ring to reduce installation time and to ensure a complete repair
Made with corrosion resistant, OE approved, Ni Terne steel for durability
Leak tested and pressure tested to ensure quality
Application specific fit tested and road tested to ensure OE fit and real world performance
Packaged with double-layered foam wrap and heavy-gauge corrugated board to ensure product quality at installation

Attention California Customers - WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm. www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

What is my Fuel Tank Size?
Attached Sump Yes
Baffled Sump No
Filler Neck Attached No
Fuel Pump Included No
Fuel System Compatibility Electronic Fuel Injection
Fuel Tank Coating Lead-Tin Coating
Lock Ring Included Yes
Mounting Straps Included No
O Ring Included Yes
Sending Unit Included No
Alternate/OEM Part Number(s): 14050685

Warranty Information:
36 Months

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Will this work with an LS in tank pump?
and under $80.00 for the tank with a sump!
s

Looking at this tank, it would be a tight/non fit underneath the bed. I think that is one reason everyone loved the mustang tanks, they are somewhat flat-topped above the flange. I appreciate the suggestion, though!

So I guess its just a $500 option any way you slice it, huh gents?

[55_truck]

Which tanks inc are you thinking of using?

I was going to order the MU-2HT but it's slightly larger in depth and don't want the tank hanging any lower.

MU-T vs MU-2HT

http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/pa...rod/prd345.htm


http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/pa...rod/prd502.htm

[BBPanel]

I used a late 80's 25 gal Blazer tank - you can find them for under $100 new. There is a 31 gal version but its taller and I didn't want it to hang down either. The rest of the connections are your choice if $$ is an issue - one could just as easily go with rubber. I removed the top bulge where oem flange and filler was and welded in flat plate for sender/fuel pump. My application is a 56 Panel but the frame is the same (actually I think behind the added cross-member the Panel frame is several inches longer than a truck). I'm running a BBC converted to EFI. I opted to have filler outside of vehicle rather than inside but on a truck you could go through the bed. -Bob

edit: tank hangs 5" below bottom of frame.

[e015475]

I couldn't force my hand to write the check for a in-tank system, so I pieced it together. Not sure it wouldn't have been better to buy the complete in tank setup. but that's what I did


This was for a '49 GMC so YMMV

OE style 2nd gen Camaro tank - $80
Boost pump $80
Swirl pot from ebay $40
Walbro external pump - $100
Fittings and hose to hook it all up -$50

That's about $350 plus a fair amount of time to plumb it.

[Johns327]

Well I did write the checks. There are a lot of places that require a lot of fiddling with and after 3 years this was one spot I didn’t want to screw with so I bought the solution.
I waited until Brothers had a sale and bought the tank. Didn’t want the shiny thing to stand out under the truck so I powder coated it flat black. I have a Holley EFI so I bought a Holley in tank pump. Lined the tank up in the frame drilled six holes and it was in. Measured the tank depth adjusted the Holley pump mount and it was in. Took the fuel sender, hooked it up to a ohmmeter, laid out the tank profile on the bench and fiddled with the float swing to get me a clean empty to full resistance profile and dropped that in. Stuck some plugs in the tanks extra fittings and connected a vent with rollover and there it was installed.
I am not going through the bed I’m installing a door on the fender. Thought about the behind license plate, the in the bed post, the under the bed wood, and of course in the bed. Through all those installs I looked at what folks did, even considered making my own tank (can we say leaker) but in the end I went with this solution. I just licked my financial wounds and moved forward to ALL the other areas that are killing the calendar. Yep not the cheapest route, but it’s done and it brings me closer to what I really want and that is to drive this thing.
Good luck with your decision.

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by Johns327

I just licked my financial wounds and moved forward to ALL the other areas that are killing the calendar.

I hear that. Time is money! Thanks for sharing this reminder.

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by e015475

I couldn't force my hand to write the check for a in-tank system, so I pieced it together. Not sure it wouldn't have been better to buy the complete in tank setup. but that's what I did


This was for a '49 GMC so YMMV

OE style 2nd gen Camaro tank - $80
Boost pump $80
Swirl pot from ebay $40
Walbro external pump - $100
Fittings and hose to hook it all up -$50

That's about $350 plus a fair amount of time to plumb it.

Is it noisier than the in-tank? I never really compared the pros/cons there

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by BBPanel

I used a late 80's 25 gal Blazer tank - you can find them for under $100 new. There is a 31 gal version but its taller and I didn't want it to hang down either. The rest of the connections are your choice if $$ is an issue - one could just as easily go with rubber. I removed the top bulge where oem flange and filler was and welded in flat plate for sender/fuel pump. My application is a 56 Panel but the frame is the same (actually I think behind the added cross-member the Panel frame is several inches longer than a truck). I'm running a BBC converted to EFI. I opted to have filler outside of vehicle rather than inside but on a truck you could go through the bed. -Bob

edit: tank hangs 5" below bottom of frame.

Definitely an interesting option...welding on a tank is intimidating for me so farming that out might erase the savings. Can you share details on the sender/pump?

[BBPanel]

Originally Posted by daveshilling

Definitely an interesting option...welding on a tank is intimidating for me so farming that out might erase the savings. Can you share details on the sender/pump?

The tank was new so no fume issues. I bought the in-tank PA-2 pump and floatless tube-style sender from Tanks, Inc. I was a little concerned about the oil-canning of the flat piece so I made an adjustable spreader bar to go inside the tank - you can see the two screws between the sender and pump flange that hold it in place.

[QBRacing]

I went with the Tanks Inc mustang tank and dont regret it.

Someone else said they had an issue but I didnt have one the way I mounted it. I basically made a c plate which I bolted the the inner bed rail and it sits perfectly flat.

Video Link here

I think its the best option personally (being that Im from NZ) and cant pop to the local wrecker to get anything second hand like the blazer setup