i am looking at a 72 or 73 d 100 that has a gas tank inside the cab and it smells like gas.he said that his Father bought it new and has smelled that way from day he got it.is there anything to be done for this?how safe is this and i will have my daughters with me some times also thanks
ramitupurs84
06-26-2008, 08:54 PM
I am going to say no. You have daughters I wouldn't think about it. A good deal on a old truck isn't going to take the guilt away if something happens...knock on wood. I know RC tank straps tend to go bad maybe that was the fix?
acton mike
06-26-2008, 10:50 PM
clearly a gas smell indicates a leak
I am suspecting a bad seal where the filler neck goes into the tank
This should not be too difficult a problem to mend
buy the truck if the price is right and do not take your kids in it until you have fixed it
Megunticook
06-27-2008, 04:52 AM
I own a '73 W100 with and in-cab tank and before that I had a '70 D100 with in-cab tank. Neither one smelled.
More than likely there is a leak, although it could be in the fuel line or carb. Also, there should be a vent line running from the tank to a vapor canister in the engine compartment--it exits the tank at the same place the fuel line exits. It's possible that's the source of the smell if it's disconnected or the line has a hole.
If you really want the truck, negotiate the price downward based on the leak, buy the truck, and then track down the problem and fix it ASAP.
I was a kid at the time, but I'm pretty sure the National Highway and Transportation Safety folks told Detroit "no more in-cab tanks" based on research showing that a fire/explosion is more likely in the event of a collision with the tank there rather than protected between the frame rails. So keep that in mind. Personally I don't worry too much about it, but then again I don't haul my kids around in it very often.
There are guys who install a tank beneath the bed--it's not rocket science. Just a thought.
Speed Dragon
06-27-2008, 09:59 AM
He's full of crap, no truck smelled like gas when it was new, if it did it would have been driven straight back to the dealer to be fixed. If they had any sense at all, anyway. It's probably just a bad filler neck grommet as mentioned, or the evaporative line has rusted in two (assuming it has an in-cab tank like my '72 did). The line runs down the pass side of the tank, under the carpet/vinyl right next to the sill plate, actually I think the sill plate goes over top of it, and runs through the firewall out to the charcoal canister. Mine was rusted away right next to the kick panel.
buck99
06-27-2008, 10:26 AM
He's full of crap, no truck smelled like gas when it was new, if it did it would have been driven straight back to the dealer to be fixed. If they had any sense at all, anyway.
Right on!!
DiverDwnPowrRam
06-27-2008, 11:14 AM
Yes i agree with Speed...ok here is what you do...on the passenger side floor right against the door seal is the gas tank vent line. expose this and look for it to be rotten...that is where your fuel smell is coming from. I had the same issue on my 73. GL
dolfans
06-30-2008, 11:42 AM
how hard is it to move the tank under a truck and how long?i know where i can get a tank,i am taking body shop repair at college and the teachers aid has one there and said he would sell it for the right price.i know i will have to have a new rear fender where can i check prices thanks
DiverDwnPowrRam
06-30-2008, 09:44 PM
forget your friend,, go to the J yard and and pull one off a late 80s early 90 truck. Clean it well inside and out and get new hanger straps and fuel line. I think Bherder went with fuel safe plasti-line and that appeals to me. get all this ready and schedule your truck for an early Saturday morning by running it almost empty 1/4 tank..any more and you will suck the gunk or rust up in your carb (maybe). i say start on a Saturday so you will have Sunday for the Aww $hit, I forgot my fetzer spanner in the fuelin housen...GL
Speed Dragon
07-01-2008, 08:33 AM
88-up are fuel injected and have different tanks. Unless it's a '88 360 4-bbl truck :)
bigblackd150
07-04-2008, 10:53 PM
You can get an earlier tank. I believe my 80 has a plastic tank but don't quote me.
I would just check the vent line first. If that is the problem the fix it. Having the tank in the cab was never an issue with me just don't smoke in the cab.
Vic
Speed Dragon
07-05-2008, 01:53 PM
My '73 has a plastic frame-mount tank.
76D100
07-06-2008, 05:30 PM
Like speed and others said, its ether VERY likley your line inside the cab under the floor mat is rusted to crap or the sending unit locking ring has a bad seal on the top of the tank.
If the line is rusted, cut it where the rust starts and ends then fit on some neoprein fuel line with hose clamps on or run that line under the cab.
If its the retaining ring take a hammer and flat screwdriver to the ring and hit the ring in a counter clock wise direction untill it locks completley. It may actually be a good idea to take the sending unit out to have a look if the seal is all intact. Wile your at it, inspect the condition of the inside of the tank with a flash light for rust and crap just cuz.
