Gas Tank Springs

[Bradley S.]

I just searched the forum and came up empty on a search for gas tank springs.  You know the springs for the two gas tank mounting bolts so the tank does not take the frame flex.  Am I calling them the correct name?

 

What size are those anyway?  I never put any on my tank and figure I better before I crack something.

 

Do those go on the front or rear?  Parts manual does really show the tank.

 

Thank you!

 

Brad

[Jeff Balazs]

Brad;

I just put my tank back in yesterday. Springs are on the rear mounts. about 2" long and need to be large enougn to run the bolts through the inside diameter. I got mine at the hardware store. A Medium/heavy spring should work fine.

 

Jeff

[Bradley S.]

Are those bolts 5/16" or 3/8"?  I'll bet 3/8".

[greg g]

Old valve springs???????????????

[Apittslife]

I used an Exhaust Spring bolt kit, for a Chevrolet truck I think?

[Jeff Balazs]

Well they are 5/16" bolts and I just matched up the springs and bolts to the original ones I took off. I really don't think you should go as heavy as a valve spring on this. The rear of the tank sits on a flange and the springs are there to allow for frame flex along the length of the tank. Too stiff an arrangement and you may as well bolt it up directly and keep your fingers crossed. The springs just need to be strong enough to prevent the tank from bouncing around on the flange.

 

Jeff

[JBNeal]

I've been a li'l fuzzy on what is the function of them springs.  When I've found them on a truck, they are rusted solid to the bolt/sleeve that they are centered on.  The bolts are run up to the sleeve, so the flange of the tank is seated to the frame cross-member all the time.  But at any rate, the springs on the '48 are 3/32" wire diameter, about 1-3/4" long, centered on 3/8-24NF X 2-1/4 hex head bolts.  I eye-balled the '49 & '51 1-tons and they appeared the same.

[Desotodav]

We chatted about them back in early 2011... http://p15-d24.com/topic/23570-gas-tank-springs/?hl=%20gas%20%20tank%20%20springs .

[Big50Dodge]

Not EOM, but alternatives could be a hard piece of rubber tube, or maybe a eurathane bushing.  

 

JBNeal - fantastic photographs !!! thanks!!  As a suggestion there, if you have some vernier (sp?) calipers to measure the inside dia of the springs as well as the spring wire dia. , that MIGHT be better.   only a suggestion.  

[ggdad1951]

the springs I got from Davin are SS as are the bolts...then I used a piece of TITANIUM tube for the inner spacer.....mine won't rust....

[JBNeal]

I don't think the original springs, spacers and bolts had any type of plating, they might have been painted black...the zinc plated replacement parts are available at the hardware store & total about $5

[JBNeal]

additional information - Fuel Tank Installation for Pilot-House Express and Chassis Cab Trucks