A little different fuel tank replacement question….

[billh1963]

Finished replacing the calipers and soft lines on my new to me 1985 C20 with 350 and SM465. Next task is replacing the leaking fuel tank. Watched several videos on the process and started by pulling off the plastic shield.

Well, first thing to say is I never found a video where someone had to remove as many bolts and nuts as I did to pull the shield….two nuts on the bottom, two on the backside by the rocker and 3 (or 4) bolts on the drive shaft side. Once that was off it was easy to see why I was having issues. The front hanger (and that area of the fuel tank) is rusted out.

So, with that background, here is the issue. No where have I seen on video (or read in the 1985 manual) that I need to pull what appears to be a heat shield covering the part of the frame where the back tank hanger is attached. It’s on both sides of the truck and appears to be factory. It’s between the frame rail and the mufflers. I guess I’ll have to pull it. I’m just hoping I don’t have to remove the muffler on that side to get the shield off. Anyone else encounter this?

The second picture shows the shield where it bolts to the frame and it goes back behind the muffler. If needed I’ll try to get a better picture tomorrow.

Thoughts?

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[awar]

Unfortunately the heat shield needs to at least move to access the four bolts for each support brackets. On my 80 that heat shield had a bolt in the center into the frame and a couple on top of the frame. The tank comes out while mounted to both of those brackets. The strap nut sticks through an approximately 1” diameter hole in the frame. I can take some pictures if you would like. I have both heat shields off and there is no body on my truck right now

 

[billh1963]

It looks like there are two bolts going into the frame and at least one (maybe two) going into the body(?) vlose to mufflers. I have to admit I didn’t look too closely. After fighting with the passenger side caliper soft brake for several hours (I eventually won) and then seeing the fuel tank carnage I decided I had enough fun for the day! I’ll look tomorrow.

But, if you have pictures showing the layout that would be great. It’s kinda frustrating no video mentions it and even the manual makes no mention. Maybe it’s a 3/4 ton thing?

 

[awar]

Mine is a one ton, those are heat shields because the fuel lines and the rear brake line run down the passenger side frame rail. The wiring runs down the drivers side. My truck only has two shields on the passenger side. I can take some pictures tomorrow. I have the tanks removed but I can hang the heat shields and the hangers to show the bolts.I see you are working on the driver’s side. My truck has had several sets of exhaust on it in the last 46 years. My mufflers were way farther back. It is a crew cab 4wd. The original mufflers were probably up where yours are. I am going with a turbo Diesel so if it has a muffler it will be way towards the rear.

 

[bucket]

That's factory installed dual exhaust still. The heat shields are original.

I never EVER reinstall those plastic tank shields. They are the cause of SO MUCH rust.

 

[billh1963]

That's factory installed dual exhaust still. The heat shields are original.

I never EVER reinstall those plastic tank shields. They are the cause of SO MUCH rust.

I see “GM” on the mufflers. I figured it was original. In fact, the whole truck is original as far as I can tell. It was owned by a farmer since new. I bought it from his son. The original owner installed a gooseneck hideaway in the bed and used the truck to haul cattle locally. Just a basic work truck.

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[bucket]

I see “GM” on the mufflers. I figured it was original. In fact, the whole truck is original as far as I can tell. It was owned by a farmer since new. I bought it from his son. The original owner installed a gooseneck hideaway in the bed and used the truck to haul cattle locally. Just a basic work truck.

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Those exhausts held up pretty well. My old '86 still had the original duals and my buddy's '85 still had the original duals on it when he had custom exhaust done. I still have the 85's original GM exhaust.

 

[awar]

My truck is a crew cab so my tanks are farther back on the frame. Here are some pictures of the heat shields and where they are attached on my truck. If your shields are similar shape I would imagine that the bolts are similar. I have included a picture of the strap bolt the sticks through the frame and causes grief when lowering the tank assembly out of the truck. Also on my truck the fuel sender ground wire is bolted to the top of the frame rail.

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[billh1963]

Thank you for the pictures. My shield looks similar although I believe all the bolts are accessible from underneath. I’ll follow up with a picture in the next few days

 

[Grit dog]

That's factory installed dual exhaust still. The heat shields are original.

I never EVER reinstall those plastic tank shields. They are the cause of SO MUCH rust.

Can confirm. IF dirt or organic material gets trapped in there. And it can fall thru between the cab and bed on top of the tank.
I had one packed with dirt. Bottom of original tank rusted out. The other was clean and the tank was pristine.
I reinstalled the plastic guards on the 86 since they will never get packed full of crap and left that way again while we own it.