New Gas Tank

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

ShamBlueC10

Junior Member
Joined
May 18, 2022
Posts
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Houston, Texas
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
Any recommendations for a vendor on best new gas tank for '78 C10? I'm looking for the highest quality (i.e. as close to original) as I can find.
 
Last edited:

fast 99

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2021
Posts
1,624
Reaction score
2,201
Location
Spokane, Washington
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
81,85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
There really isn't much to them. I bought 2 at different times one was painted gray other was plated like original. They both fit fine. Would like them to match but at the time almost everything was out of stock.
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
5,967
Reaction score
9,888
Location
Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
454
I bought literally the cheapest one I could find. It weighed the same as the old tank so tells me it was the same gauge steel and it fit and the sender hole and tabs were right, so I don’t think it matters what you buy either.
If you’re worried about corrosion, give it another coat of paint before installing.
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
5,967
Reaction score
9,888
Location
Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
454
I’ve watched plenty of these trucks rust away in front of your eyes almost and never had a tank rust out (back when they were “newer”) so my guess is in a truck like yours that is obviously taken care of, any new tank will last a very long time.
 

CalSgt

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2021
Posts
1,517
Reaction score
3,206
Location
CA
First Name
Casey
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
Chevy K-10 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
I got these tanks that are for an '87 from summit & they seem decent, fit just like the factory tank in my '80 K10 SWB. I did have to order filler hoses because they have a slightly larger inlet. They came with some ugly color paint or coating on them but painted up nice'

If you are even thinking about adding fuel injection in the future these would be the tanks you want, they have the baffle inside to prevent the fuel pump from starving when the fuel sloshes around.

Summit wanted a little more than some of the other companies but had free shipping which made them competitive, some others wanted $50 each for shipping.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-576-302

You must be registered for see images attach
 

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
3,698
Reaction score
6,692
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
There's only a few manufacturers of these tanks. Pretty much the same regardless of brand. "Quality" is pretty much a foreign concept anymore.
 

scrap--metal

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2021
Posts
678
Reaction score
1,266
Location
MN
First Name
Calvin
Truck Year
'85, '81
Truck Model
K10, K20
Engine Size
305, 350
If you’re worried about corrosion, give it another coat of paint before installing.
I highly recommend adding a coat of paint before installing. May not make a difference in TX, but it will definitely save a tank in MN winters.

I’ve watched plenty of these trucks rust away in front of your eyes almost and never had a tank rust out (back when they were “newer”) so my guess is in a truck like yours that is obviously taken care of, any new tank will last a very long time.
I've seen new replacement tanks rust out within 10 years or so of year round (ab)use. Again, this is related to road salt and moisture. Additional paint or spray on bedliner will help a lot.

I did have to order filler hoses because they have a slightly larger inlet.
As @CalSgt indicated, the 73-81 tanks use a smaller fill neck. 82 and later tanks use a larger fill neck. Buy a pre-82 tank to keep your same rubber hose if it's still in good shape. I found this out the hard way, but Jegs has a great return policy and it wasn't a big deal.
 

fast 99

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2021
Posts
1,624
Reaction score
2,201
Location
Spokane, Washington
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
81,85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Will add the only reason I replaced mine was someone dumped paint in the tanks. Previous owner had an enemy. Tanks were cheap enough so why bother cleaning them. Only problem was the nuts were seized on the mounting straps. Had to repair those as well.

If painting a plated tank do some research. Takes correct material to stick to it and stay there.
 
Last edited:

ShamBlueC10

Junior Member
Joined
May 18, 2022
Posts
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Houston, Texas
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
Thank you all for your responses. Very helpful.
 

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,188
Reaction score
5,085
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
Check your local parts stores too. As others have said, there are only a very few manufacturers of these tanks and the ones you can buy from LMC, summit, jegs, etc.. are exactly the same ones you can buy locally from your local parts store. Amazon is also a good resource for those kinds of parts
 

Rumbledawg

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2021
Posts
226
Reaction score
831
Location
the back 40
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K30 crewcab
Engine Size
454
find a good tank first, then find a vendor who has that tank at the best price.
i replaced the tanks in my crewy with Spectra tanks. there not offshore, made in Canada and their a tier 1 supplier to many auto company's. very good quality.
i replaced my tanks in 2010, 2 coats of Por 15 and 2 coats of chassis black.
You must be registered for see images attach


and if you ever wondered just how good por 15 is, here's some real world testing. 12 yrs and no flaking or peeling, even though they get sandblasted by my rear tires quite often.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,116
Posts
909,461
Members
33,611
Latest member
RNFL
Top