OP
OP
It does look like a demon with the quad demon eyes.
Rocket Man's 2008 Bagged CC Silverado Build AKA "THE MACHINE"
- Thread starter Rocket Man
- Start date
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OP
OP
I’ve been smelling gas for awhile now so yesterday I used brake cleaner and cleaned the fuel cell. Today I took a look and it seems like it’s seeping at a weld at the bottom rear corner. I didn’t get a picture while I had it up in the air. So…I think I’ll try to find someone who will grind the corner and reweld it. I have looked into having a 20-25 gallon tank made (this ones 15 and I have extra room) but I’d be looking at $600+ and probably 6-8 weeks lead time. I just want to stop the leak for now.
ScottyBoy
Full Access Member
The bad part is that you will have to remove it and fill it with water a few times before anyone will even THINK about welding it.
OP
OP
Ehh. It takes about 10 minutes to remove it. It’s only got about 5 gallons of gas in it and it has a drain. After the gas is out it takes (4) 13 mm bolts and it’s out. Then I’ll pull the fuel pump and the remaining gas will evaporate quickly with a huge hole in the top where the pump was and the drain removed from the bottom. I’ll give it a couple days though.
OP
OP
I did my grocery shopping this morning and when I came out of the store there was a silver dollar size puddle of gas under the truck so it was time to fix it. It’s kind of scary thinking all it would take is a spark and this thing would go boom.
I pulled the fuel cell, drained it and removed the pump. I can see a hairline crack right through the welds in the area it’s leaking. It looks obvious to me that’s where it’s coming through. I don’t know much about welding but that seems like a weird way for a crack to show up, straight down the middle of so many puddles. Maybe someone else more experienced in welding can shine a light on it. I’d like to know if this is something I should be worried about with the rest of the welding or what? Anyway I’ll find someone to reweld this seam this week hopefully.
I pulled the fuel cell, drained it and removed the pump. I can see a hairline crack right through the welds in the area it’s leaking. It looks obvious to me that’s where it’s coming through. I don’t know much about welding but that seems like a weird way for a crack to show up, straight down the middle of so many puddles. Maybe someone else more experienced in welding can shine a light on it. I’d like to know if this is something I should be worried about with the rest of the welding or what? Anyway I’ll find someone to reweld this seam this week hopefully.
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Actually I just thought of how that crack might have happened. The fuel cell is even with the bottom of the rear frame right there where that crack is. I always put a board on top of my floor jack which partially spans the bottom of the fuel cell right there so I’m thinking that when I jack the rear of the truck up, that’s putting slight pressure upwards on that area of the cell and since it’s mounted by the ears on the tabs it’s solid and has no give so it pushes slightly up on the bottom of the cell but the back side doesn’t move so it’s cracked it. I will have to rethink either the mount of the cell- get it to set up higher- or make something to jack the truck up with that won’t touch the cell.
randeez
Full Access Member
dont bring me into this
OP
OP
I blame you for this weld crap.
randeez
Full Access Member
send it back, see if theyll replace it for free 
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Yeah, you can tell that those welds had almost no heat in them. I'd definitely see if you can't get that thing warrantied out.
OP
OP
send it back, see if theyll replace it for free
Ummm I have no idea who built it. Probably AllStar customs in Texas. They’re the ones who fu*ked up everything else on this truck. I’ll probably have a new cell built one day that’s bigger and fits the space better but I’m in no hurry to spend money on it right now. I will revisit that idea in the next year. It’s like a lot of things right now- the lead times and prices are through the roof so I’ll wait and see if it gets better. I know billet wheels are taking 4 months right now instead of the usual 6-8 weeks.
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Do you happen to have a local buddy who can weld that can make a fuel cell for you? That would be ideal IMO but I completely get what you're saying if you're going through a shop or vendor. Everything is backed up and way high on prices right now
pwtr02ss
Full Access Member
Have your local guy weld it up. You could also get some of that tank liner and pour in it. That stuff seems to work pretty good. Hell, you may even get away with something like that now and no even have to weld it?
OP
OP
I looked into finding someone a couple years ago with no luck. I do know a guy I used to work with that’s an excellent aluminum fabricator but he’s an arrogant di*khead that I never want to see again lol. I’ll probably look again. All I need is a super simple rectangular box with mounting tabs and I’ll cut the holes and install the pump and filler neck.
I haven’t heard of that tank liner, I’ll look into it. Thanks.
randeez
Full Access Member
youve just described every good welder ive ever met
does the tank just mount in the bed? does it need any custom work or can you just use an off the shelf tank? does the tube line up with something? what pattern do you need for fuel pump?
Yep! The good welders I’ve dealt with definitely seem to be prima donna’s. Have to that work for me. Two of the best, but high maintenance!
OP
OP
It mounts between the rear cross frame member and the air tank. The dims are 18” deep, 10” high and currently 20”wide but I have room for 28” wide which would make it over 20 gallons instead of 15. The 18” is set in stone, the 10” high could go to 12” I believe with a new fuel pump ( I don’t remember how much I shortened the new pump to fit but it seems it was 1 1/2-2”. ) and then I’d need to rework the fill but I’m not sure if I can angle it down any more. The 20” could be anywhere between 20-28” but hopefully 28”. So ideally I would like 18 d x 10 h x 28 w. The pump and fill nozzle I can cut out and install myself. I can’t find any pre- made ones that fit. It does need mounting tabs on the bottom, 2 front and 2 rear. I’ve looked and looked and can’t find any that will fit. It’s an odd size, the 18” deep and 10” -12” high combo seems to be the problem.
OP
OP
I remember now that I was looking to upgrade to a higher capacity tank when I was looking at them last time. I see the exact same tank I have now all over the place, I found a red powder coated one on EBay for $130 shipped. I think I’ll order it. I’d rather get one that looks better and I don’t have to waste money paying some loser er I mean welder to weld this one up plus I need to get a different mounting ring setup for the pump. This tank is kind of Swiss cheesed. They made the ring out of a piece of steel and didn’t even space the holes the same. I don’t really need more capacity anyway, I drove this from San Francisco with this cell in it plus I don’t drive it that far anyway.
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I’m trying to find a mount ring for the pump that just screws on, kinda like the steel ring I have on it now. All I can find is a weld-on retrofit that adds a tab setup like the factory tanks have that will accept the factory lock ring. They’re about the same price as what I paid for the tank ($130) plus I’d have to get it welded on. That’s not happening. If anybody knows of anybody that makes one lmk. I have a stock lock ring ordered, I’m thinking I might be able to drill some holes in it and then drill and tap the cell for the Allen head screws I was using on the thick steel ring, which worked but that ring is ugly AF. I guess I could have a shop make me a steel ring locally. I was hoping to just find one online.
