Gas tank questions for 1985 LD October 27, 2013, 01:28:32 pm Yahoo Message Number: 143314Hi all... I'm working on our old lazy daze... I decided to remove the gas tank to change out all the rubber lines leading to the engine. However, I found that it appears the gas tank was changed out approximately two years after manufacture to use a larger 50 gallon unit which has a date of manufacture of summer of 1987...What size gas tank to these come with originally was it 35 gallon? The next issue is that the filling pipe that's metal that is supposed to plug into the gas tank has a different size than the input line on the gas tank itself which is smaller. When it was installed they used a piece of rubber hose has a reducer and then inserted the smaller pipe into the bigger one and then wrap the whole thing again in another piece of rubber hose.. while he did work for 25 some odd years, it's not the best solution in my opinion.. The new tank was manufactured in Oregon by a firm up there .. Has anyone running to this configuration before? I'm tempted to cut the filler neck a little bit .. maybe a few inches off so I could have just a plain rubber piece that runs between the two . I'm a little concerned that with the size difference of that it may cause problems with getting a good seal.. Comments?
Re: Gas tank questions for 1985 LD Reply #1 – October 27, 2013, 09:49:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 143327My take is use what has worked for going on 30 years....
Re: Gas tank questions for 1985 LD Reply #2 – October 28, 2013, 12:08:57 pm Yahoo Message Number: 143328"I decided to remove the gas tank to change out all the rubber lines leading to the engine. However, I found that it appears the gas tank was changed out approximately two years after manufacture to use a larger 50 gallon unit which has a date of manufacture of summer of 1987... What size gas tank to these come with originally was it 35 gallon?"RickStock, your 1987 LD had a 35 gallon tank. Many LDs of your vintage had an after-market 50 gallon tank installed at a local shop. Dual exhaust installations were also done locally. I remember the strange hose adapter that LD used for the filler hose. I would change the rubber hose but keep the same configuration since it has worked for the 46 years, no need to reinvent the wheel unless there is another, unmentioned problem. Is there another problem? Cutting the inlet to the existing tank should be done very carefully. One spark and you are gone. Personally, I would just replace the stock hoses, if rotted, and call it good.Larry
Re: Gas tank questions for 1985 LD Reply #3 – October 28, 2013, 01:53:04 pm Yahoo Message Number: 143329Larry wrote: QuoteStock, your 1987 LD had a 35 gallon tank. Many LDs of your vintage had an after-market 50 gallon tank installed at a local shop. Dual exhaust installations were also done locally. Ok.. Our tank, now 50 gallon appears to be an aftermarket type specific to RV's -- made in Forest Grove Oregon IIRC. We also have dual exhaust as well but thought that might be factory..QuoteI remember the strange hose adapter that LD used for the filler hose. I would change the rubber hose but keep the same configuration since it has worked for the 46 years, no need to reinvent the wheel unless there is another, unmentioned problem. Is there another problem? So, perhaps the tank mod might have been done by LD? I took both the tank and filler neck that mates with the tank to a local shop that I trust that knows fords & chevy's extensively (and have raced both professionally) and he thought it was a bit hackish but didn't have any suggestions outside of just replacing the rubber pieces with new stuff -- if it hasn't caused problems this far then it shouldn't in the future. Anyway, the interesting thing is that some of the rubber hoses down there were dated back to 1991 -- some of the hoses were shredding as I was taking things apart -- ugg!! At least I know I won't be doing this job again!!QuoteCutting the inlet to the existing tank should be done very carefully. One spark and you are gone. Personally, I would just replace the stock hoses, if rotted, and call it good. Agreed.. Thanks for the input!!
Re: Gas tank questions for 1985 LD Reply #4 – October 28, 2013, 02:25:20 pm Yahoo Message Number: 143330"So, perhaps the tank mod might have been done by LD?"RickMost likely it was done by the after-market tank installer. When LD receives a cutaway chassis, all of the fuel parts, including the filler and hoses are included from the manufacturer. If the new tank had a larger filler tube, the installer should have made the modification.Larry
Re: Gas tank questions for 1985 LD Reply #5 – October 28, 2013, 04:33:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 143331"Most likely it was done by the after-market tank installer."Larry, I might be wrong, but my understanding was that the 50-gallon tank was a Lazy Daze factory option back in the 80s. My '85 had one... along with a dashboard fuel gauge that pinned at 35 gallons. :-) Now, the factory may well have paid a local shop to install the larger tanks, but I think they were available as an option at purchase time. Can anybody confirm or refute this?Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels
Re: Gas tank questions for 1985 LD Reply #6 – October 28, 2013, 05:42:50 pm Yahoo Message Number: 143332Andy - According to the pocket guide on your website, at least in 1984, the standard tank for the 22-foot was 35 gallons. Fifty gallons was an option.Dick
Re: Gas tank questions for 1985 LD Reply #7 – October 28, 2013, 09:25:55 pm Yahoo Message Number: 143333Thanks all.. I was able to pickup all new rubber parts at the local Napa store -- including the rubber hoses for the fill neck.. Those were not available at any chain stores outside of Napa without ordering them.. Now it's just a reassembly issue and installing the new lines+filter.speaking of filters -- should I install a filter on the line that runs to the generator? It's tapped off the side of the tank and has no obvious filter on the tank side.. I was thinking of putting a 2nd filter near the tank just for the genny.. comments?