1973 gas cap problem

[Number21]

Can anybody confirm that I can replace the filler neck and the rubber filler hose without dropping the gas tank? I think I can reach 'em from looking under the truck but it's hard to tell in the dark. 

[bake74]

Can anybody confirm that I can replace the filler neck and the rubber filler hose without dropping the gas tank? I think I can reach 'em from looking under the truck but it's hard to tell in the dark. 

     Yes you can, I have had mine out on my k10 74, many times without dropping the tank.  Do you have any wrecking/pick--pull places around you that you could visit and see what they got ?

[78 Chevyrado]

    Try this site that 78 Chevyrado suggested.

http://www.stant.com/Parts-Locator/

look under gas cap and testers.

That website shows I need a Stant 10649, but on amazon.com the picture for that part shows this:


The lower part that says 1 3/8", is more like 2" on my truck.

I checked my filler and cap for you and can confirm my truck has the cap pictured above.  It too, it approx. 1-3/8" at the bottom.   Looked to me that where my filler neck attatches to the bedside, that the hole in the bedside itself was a tad over 2".

[Number21]

Yes you can, I have had mine out on my k10 74, many times without dropping the tank.  Do you have any wrecking/pick--pull places around you that you could visit and see what they got ?

So it turns out the hose clamp holding the rubber part to the tank is pointed up so I cannot get a screwdriver on it. Any idea how I could cut/split the clamp without making sparks? I think I'm just going to replace the filler pipe and the rubber hose with new parts, they look pretty rotted.

I checked my filler and cap for you and can confirm my truck has the cap pictured above.

Thanks for checking! More evidence that my filler pipe isn't original...

[Number21]

Well, I took it down to Napa and they still couldn't find any caps that fit. The guy there seems to think my filler was pryed open for some reason....maybe somebody tried to pop off a locking cap at some point.

I did find that a 1.5" test plug from home depot fits perfectly! 

[bake74]

      So it turns out the hose clamp holding the rubber part to the tank is pointed up so I cannot get a screwdriver on it. Any idea how I could cut/split the clamp without making sparks? I think I'm just going to replace the filler pipe and the rubber hose with new parts, they look pretty rotted. 

     If it was me I would cut the rubber hose (since you want to replace it anyway), unbolt the filler cap (from outside where gas cap goes) rotate the assy. and then take off clamp.
     Then when you buy a new filler tube and rubber hose, make sure you buy the gas cap that fits the filler tube at the same time, locking preferably.

 
 

[Number21]

        If it was me I would cut the rubber hose (since you want to replace it anyway), unbolt the filler cap (from outside where gas cap goes) rotate the assy. and then take off clamp.
     Then when you buy a new filler tube and rubber hose, make sure you buy the gas cap that fits the filler tube at the same time, locking preferably.

Unfortunately the clamp I need to get to is the one that holds the rubber hose to the tank. I don't know, I might be able to spin it around if I cut the hose...

At least I've got some time to think about it now that I found a temporary plug.

[78 Chevyrado]

I'd use a hacksaw and cut the band part of the clamp.  you'll cut into the rubber hose a bit too but its no problem since you're replacing it anyway.  just go slow.  if you go slow it wont heatup or make any sparks.  if you feel unsafe, go slower.  cut the clamp before you disconnect anything else, and there wont be fumes to worry about anyway.

[bake74]

 

I'd use a hacksaw and cut the band part of the clamp.  you'll cut into the rubber hose a bit too but its no problem since you're replacing it anyway.  just go slow.  if you go slow it wont heatup or make any sparks.  if you feel unsafe, go slower.  cut the clamp before you disconnect anything else, and there wont be fumes to worry about anyway.

     I was going to suggest prying it off, the lip of the fuel tanks are smooth, work around it and it should slide off.  That my friend is someone not thinking ahead and putting the clamp on before putting the tank in, then looking at it and saying oh crap, then shrugged his shoulders and left it for someone else to fix later.  Lazy, Lazy, Lazy.

[87454westernhauler]

if its an older clamp, i have just tristed the bolt on the clamp around and snaped the bolt off and the rest of the clamp usualy will come right off. I have done that alot on tractors and trucks that i have worked on if i couldnt get ahold of the bolt.