8.1L Vortec Swap in 76 K10 SWB - Fuel Tank(s) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Shtudwn · 06-28-2021, 08:44 PM

Hello Everyone.

Its been a while. Once my K20 Camper Special was stolen I floundered a bit. I have since purchased a 76 K10 Short Box with the hopes of utilizing the 8.1L and the Allison Trans.

The K10 lost a driveline at some point and tore out the fuel tanks. The owner then replaced one of them with a roughly fabricated single aluminum tank. With my plans of swapping the 8.1L into the truck what are my best options for a fuel tank? Do i buy two short box tanks? Do I try to retrofit an 8.1L tank into the 76? Do I go with a single tank?

Thoughts?

Thank you.

Dan

93M6Formula · 06-29-2021, 09:21 AM

You're going to want all the fuel you can get with an 8.1. Either do two factory 73-86 tanks with the plug and play Holley pumps, 1987 tanks with factory sending units and upgraded pumps, or do a blazer/suburban tank in the rear.

Shtudwn · 06-29-2021, 01:02 PM

Thank you.

Yes, more fuel! Ugg! But lots of Torque

Since I have to buy new tanks I might as well purchase wisely.... for a change! LOL

Dan

**dagnabbitt** · 06-29-2021, 05:18 PM

I did a blazer tank in the rear for one of my SWB squares, fit like a dream. I believe that 1987 onwards are more good to go for any EFI setup.

Dual tanks are nice but this way you don't have to putz around with the dual tank swiches/relays/solenoids etc. Unless you have that stuff already, that is.

Shtudwn · 06-30-2021, 02:17 PM

Yeah, I really dont have much of anything at this point and was going to buy both stock tanks/pumps etc....and thought better about it.'

What year blazer tank was it or are they all the same?

Thank you.

Dan

**dagnabbitt** · 07-01-2021, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shtudwn

Yeah, I really dont have much of anything at this point and was going to buy both stock tanks/pumps etc....and thought better about it.'

What year blazer tank was it or are they all the same?

Thank you.

Dan

MY SWB was a 78 so that's the year of Blazer tank I bought. Easy installation. I used it because neither boxside I had was equipped with a fuel door or filler, and I thought it would be cool to have the fuel filler in the bed.

1987 and up were EFI, so I would think that's the one you want. A suburban tank would be even larger and you'd have room for it I assume if you have a LWB. Maybe someone can chime in and confirm.

slalomsauce · 07-15-2021, 08:40 AM

I love the 8.1L in my '03 Silverado. You made a great choice in powerplant.

06-28-2021, 08:44 PM	#1
Shtudwn Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Richland, WA Posts: 128	8.1L Vortec Swap in 76 K10 SWB - Fuel Tank(s) Hello Everyone. Its been a while. Once my K20 Camper Special was stolen I floundered a bit. I have since purchased a 76 K10 Short Box with the hopes of utilizing the 8.1L and the Allison Trans. The K10 lost a driveline at some point and tore out the fuel tanks. The owner then replaced one of them with a roughly fabricated single aluminum tank. With my plans of swapping the 8.1L into the truck what are my best options for a fuel tank? Do i buy two short box tanks? Do I try to retrofit an 8.1L tank into the 76? Do I go with a single tank? Thoughts? Thank you. Dan

06-29-2021, 09:21 AM	#2
93M6Formula Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Norfolk,NE Posts: 136	Re: 8.1L Vortec Swap in 76 K10 SWB - Fuel Tank(s) You're going to want all the fuel you can get with an 8.1. Either do two factory 73-86 tanks with the plug and play Holley pumps, 1987 tanks with factory sending units and upgraded pumps, or do a blazer/suburban tank in the rear. __________________ 1982 Sierra Classic K15 RC/LB 6.2L Diesel 700R4 1988 GTA Trans AM 305 TPI 700R4 1993 Formula Firebird LT1 T56 1995 GMC K2500 ECLB 6.5L 4L80E 1996 GMC K3500 CCLB LB7 6L90

06-29-2021, 01:02 PM	#3
Shtudwn Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Richland, WA Posts: 128	Re: 8.1L Vortec Swap in 76 K10 SWB - Fuel Tank(s) Thank you. Yes, more fuel! Ugg! But lots of Torque Since I have to buy new tanks I might as well purchase wisely.... for a change! LOL Dan

06-29-2021, 05:18 PM	#4
dagnabbitt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,303	Re: 8.1L Vortec Swap in 76 K10 SWB - Fuel Tank(s) I did a blazer tank in the rear for one of my SWB squares, fit like a dream. I believe that 1987 onwards are more good to go for any EFI setup. Dual tanks are nice but this way you don't have to putz around with the dual tank swiches/relays/solenoids etc. Unless you have that stuff already, that is. __________________ DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10

06-30-2021, 02:17 PM	#5
Shtudwn Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Richland, WA Posts: 128	Re: 8.1L Vortec Swap in 76 K10 SWB - Fuel Tank(s) Yeah, I really dont have much of anything at this point and was going to buy both stock tanks/pumps etc....and thought better about it.' What year blazer tank was it or are they all the same? Thank you. Dan

07-15-2021, 08:40 AM	#7
slalomsauce Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Carson, IA Posts: 19	Re: 8.1L Vortec Swap in 76 K10 SWB - Fuel Tank(s) I love the 8.1L in my '03 Silverado. You made a great choice in powerplant.



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