Help with a family issue

[Charlie ny]

My wife will NOT ride in our soon to be running '32 pickup. She has discovered
she will be sitting over the gas tank. I've been advised that as long as I do not use a vented cap there is really no issue......she's not buying that. Can
the passenger car tank be installed in the truck or what might be the best approach....and no after 58 years we are joined at the hip.
Many thanks,
Charlie ny

[32phil]

I'm thinking about tucking a flat tank under the bed. Similar to a passenger tank but shallower. I would make it as wide as possible but keep it thin enough to be hidden by the bed. Perhaps extending some into the space between the bed and the rear crossmember.
Maybe a 34 style tank could be modified somehow. Not that far on the assembly yet. I will need a seat riser to replace the stock tank but that's easy enough to do, even use the stock cushions. Nice storage area under there too. Filler neck would have to come out the side like a 34 or in the floor of the bed.

[Tim Ayers]

Thinking about it, Charlie, the bed and torque tube seem to complicate things. The floor of the bed is pretty close the torque tube. Not much space to mount something across the frame, but maybe a saddle type tank along the frame.

I think I remember some type of saddle tank set-up being made for Model A's. They mounted behind the running board splash aprons.

Would you consider a Moon-style/spun aluminium-style tank mounted in the front of the bed?

[Bored&Stroked]

Well, you must have a vented cap in my mind (or a vent someplace) - as otherwise the fuel pump is attempting to pull a vacuum and after a bit, it will not be able too and you'll be out of fuel. I think the frames are the same as any other 32, so it would seem entirely possible to put a 32 rear tank in the rear. Personally, I like the looks of the 32 tank - but don't know if there is any interference issues with the bed?

[alanwoodieman]

I have mounted below the bed gas tanks in about a dozen trucks ranging from a 29 A to a 52. I went to tanks inc and looked over what they have, also speedway has a lot of gas tanks made for racing and have used a couple of them. 52 I use a filler door of a later model car and made it come out the fender with a neat hatch, so yes you can mount one under the rear of the truck

[expavr]

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Charlie
I ran into the same dilemma with my wife and riding in the Tonner. It took a few drives on rural roads at reasonable speeds (less than 45 MPH) to convince her that the truck was a safe/stable platform. I use a vented gas cap and try to keep the tank full to minimize the buildup of gas vapors in the tank. If you don’t use a vented cap it seems like there would be more risk of explosion as the liquid is displaced leaving the resulting vapor buildup. Not only that but an unvented cap could cause fuel starvation. The other solution is to install a fuel cell in the bed and disguise it somehow.
Les Williams

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by alanwoodieman

I have mounted below the bed gas tanks in about a dozen trucks ranging from a 29 A to a 52. I went to tanks inc and looked over what they have, also speedway has a lot of gas tanks made for racing and have used a couple of them. 52 I use a filler door of a later model car and made it come out the fender with a neat hatch, so yes you can mount one under the rear of the truck

Well, there you go. It will work.

[V8COOPMAN]

Charlie.....Just remind her of the Pintos with rear-mounted gas tanks! I also saw a '32 sedan burn to the ground after being rear-ended at a light several years back. DD

[STEVE O]

Also a non vented cap when things warm up causes high pressures in the tank that needle valve and flexible hoses can't take. One of them ask me how I know!

[DavidG]

You know, it would be nice if folks would actually know something about 1932-35 fuel tanks before sounding off. All Ford tanks of those model years use un-vented gas caps because the tanks are otherwise vented as part of the tank unit. The man is asking about a '32 vented tank, not some later model un-vented tank.

[ford38v8]

Charlie, if she wanted to ride in it, she would. Don't buy into her power trip ruse, or she'll then demand seat belts and next it would be ABS disc brakes. I know you're not a newly wed, you know the routine!

[35fordtn]

Charlie,
Yes it can be done using a 33/36 pickup tank but requires lots of fabricating, a guy locally did it..... however, there is nothing to be scared of. Ford had trucks using in cab tanks all the way up through 1977. If a person were overly nervous about the fact that the 32 tanks vent from inside the cab, you could do what I did when I owned a 32 pickup, I ran a clear piece of hose from the vent on the sending unit and vent it outside of the cab. It’s a 5 minute ordeal that can be undone at any time.

[50fordcoupeman]

Originally Posted by 32phil

I'm thinking about tucking a flat tank under the bed. Similar to a passenger tank but shallower. I would make it as wide as possible but keep it thin enough to be hidden by the bed. Perhaps extending some into the space between the bed and the rear crossmember.
Maybe a 34 style tank could be modified somehow. Not that far on the assembly yet. I will need a seat riser to replace the stock tank but that's easy enough to do, even use the stock cushions. Nice storage area under there too. Filler neck would have to come out the side like a 34 or in the floor of the bed.

Some marine fuel tanks available are shallow...........might look at some of them.

[woodiewagon46]

My '32 has it's gas tank in the rear, the stock location. If I get rear ended, it's a virtual bomb. My Model A has it's tank over my legs with the vented filler cap on the top of the cowl. What am I supposed to do, not drive my cars and try to relocate the gas tanks? We are driving antique cars, not modern vehicles and sometimes they smell of gas and oil.

[1931 flamingo]

All thru the years , from the T on up millions of people drove these cars AND smoked............


What about mounting a tank (your choice of type) in the bed behind the cab??
Paul in CT

[rotorwrench]

She likely wouldn't ride in a model T or even a model A either since the gas tank is right in front of you. Some folks just don't like the dangerous edge type of lifestyle.

All those soldiers that rode around in jeeps over half the word over were also riding on gas tanks.

I've been riding motorcycle since I was a kid and the tank is usually right near your crotch there.

Everyone has an excuse for this or that. If she doesn't want to ride in there then it's her loss.

Some folks are scared to go out the door so she is not too bad off anyway. It could be worse.

[DavidG]

Michael,


It's not a Model A. '32 commercial gas tanks do not vent inside the cab unless you operate the vehicle without floorboards, which is a whole set of real dangers.

[FrankWest]

Hey Charlie, you have to move the gas tank to the outside pickup bed or you can buy you wife a special antique pickup driving outfit for Christmas

[Bill OH]

Charlie: Offer her to buy her jewlery and dress and take her to dinner at a nice restaurant in your 32 PU!!!!

[5851a]

I don't have an answer for your truck, but look under any/many front wheel drive cars. The gas tank is right under the rear seat, one thin piece of sheet metal separate you from the fuel tank. Where does the law want us to strap our grandchildren? Yep right on top of it!

[35fordtn]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Michael,


It's not a Model A. '32 commercial gas tanks do not vent inside the cab unless you operate the vehicle without floorboards, which is a whole set of real dangers.

David,
My mistake. I remember now that I had to do that as my pickup had a boogered up tank that someone modified and vented out of the top of the tank.

[DavidG]

That would be a dumb modification, no wonder you added a hose to carry it outside.

[35fordtn]

Originally Posted by DavidG

That would be a dumb modification, no wonder you added a hose to carry it outside.

It was a cheesy attempt by someone prior to add a electric auxiliary gauge

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Michael,


It's not a Model A. '32 commercial gas tanks do not vent inside the cab unless you operate the vehicle without floorboards, which is a whole set of real dangers.

Hey DavidG, as I've never owned a 32 pickup, where does the tank actually vent too? If the tank is under the seat (my assumption from reading this thread), then how/where do the venting vapors go?

[DavidG]

The sending unit incorporating the venting is shown in the photo below and inserts upward into the bottom of the tank. The tank was sealed in place in between the side and cross floor sills. Vent fumes would be released downward and away depending on the direction of the vehicle's travel.

[Charlie ny]

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Well I'll be , after Alice read thru page 2 she got on board.....what a girl....
Way off topic......our #3 grandson Clayton was awarded Iron Man at his Marine
boot camp graduation today at Parris Island, S.C.
Charlie ny
PS
thanks guys

[Brian]

Ain't that great!! Congratulations. On both topics.

[DavidG]

Yes, most certainly on both counts!

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by DavidG

The sending unit incorporating the venting is shown in the photo below and inserts upward into the bottom of the tank. The tank was sealed in place in between the side and cross floor sills. Vent fumes would be released downward and away depending on the direction of the vehicle's travel.

Thanks David - I knew it had to be vented someplace . . . or it would not work. They sort of took the standard 32 top-vent and hydrostatic mechanisms and flipped them upside down and redesigned them a bit. Thanks for the drawing/image - clarifies it all to me.

Even though one is "sitting on the tank" - it is actually probably a safer place to have the fuel than in the back where a rear-end collision can easily rupture it.

In a 32 truck, if you manage to get into a wreck that is bad enough to rupture the under-seat tank, you're probably already dead . . . or maybe wished you were.

[32phil]

Let's face it theses cars are death traps compared to most daily drivers.
My 32 roadster does not have bumpers, fenders, a hood, seat belts, a top, air bags, power disc brakes, power steering. Hey ….It's a Hot Rod !!
Am I going to stop driving it ? Nope ! Almost 4000 miles on it already.
A relatively minor accident could very possibly be fatal. In my Ford Explorer the same accident would be nothing more than dinner conversation.
I'm going to move the tank out of the cab of the pick up, make it safe and look decent and put 4000 miles on that one !!

[Karl Wescott]

The question is acceptable risk.


The two major concerns.
1. Vapor build up in the passenger compartment. The stock Ford design vents under the truck and the fill cap is sealed. If everything is in good condition no problem. The stock floor and tank area around the fill location do not absorb fuel well so if there is spillage it can (and SHOULD) quickly evaporate before the vehicle is driven. (both doors open when filling...)


2. Crash. Will a crash scenario that causes a penetration far enough into the cab to rupture of the tank (well protected by the frame and body structure) be survivable for the occupants? Most likely not. Kinda makes the potential tank rupture a moot point.


3. How many burnt out cabs are found at swap meets from a tank failure. Not many.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by Charlie ny

Well I'll be , after Alice read thru page 2 she got on board.....what a girl....
Way off topic......our #3 grandson Clayton was awarded Iron Man at his Marine
boot camp graduation today at Parris Island, S.C.
Charlie ny
PS
thanks guys

con graduations on Paris Island, tough place. we are all proud of him. Semper Fi, my father was on Iowa Jima USMC ww2

[flatjack9]

Life is good, eh Charlie? Congrats.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by flatjack9

Life is good, eh Charlie? Congrats.

How could life NOT be good with a pair like this? DD

[Kube]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

How could life NOT be good with a pair like this? DD

Coopman, Thanks for finding this (GREAT) photo and posting it.
Made me smile from ear to ear!

[Nochop]

Under the seat seams to safest spot, and I drive a deuce 5 window with the tank in the “ pinto” location

[DavidG]

My first car, a '32 standard coupe, was rear-ended on the Ohio Turnpike on its way home. The drunk driving the new '55 Chevrolet that was totaled in the process was fortunately not injured nor was his front seat passenger (also drunk) nor were the two of us teenagers in the coupe. Believe it or not, the only damage to the '32 was a cracked tail lamp lens. The quality of the metallurgy in the original bumper and bumper brackets made all the difference (plus the fact that the previous owner had attached a 1/4" angle iron piece to the face of the bumper to add a trailer hitch ball).

[Bruce/CT]

Hi Charlie and Alice,
I absolutely love the photo. It brings back happy Hershey memories of you both for me. I suspected that Alice would come around. I had a similar issue with my wife feeling unsafe years ago on the highway in my 1931 Model A Roadster. I wound up selling it as I felt unsafe with its mechanics,
Marilyn and I wish you a safe, healthy and prosperous Christmas and New Year.
Bruce/CT

[FrankWest]

Charlie, Beautiful photo, your wife is very nice, make her feel safe. ..Just put a tank in the pickup bed Just bypass the original tank and make the new tank connections easy to undo, so that you can put things back to original if you ever want to sell the truck.

[burnette]

i guess i better not tell my wife about the gas tank ! nice to see a picture of you and your wife charlie, and thanks for you fine work on my carburator and timer.

[little howard]

A stock 32 gas tank will mount in the stock spot, under the bed, in a 32 pick-up. There is one cross brace that has to be notched, and it's a pretty big notch, to clear the sender/pickup.
I use the stock filler, and put an access door in the bed floor above it. And, you can't see it from behind, and it might be a little safer in a rear end crash because you've got a foot and a half of bed hanging out behind it.
I've run my hot rod pick-up many miles this way.

[RKS.PA]

Charlie, it probably dawned on you long ago that you are blessed, as am I. We have wives that support us in this old Ford hobby, regardless! And....those smaller hands sure come in handy at times!!

[al's28/33]

should never have told her that, my wife is on a "needs to know" basis, and what happens in the Barn, stays in the Barn!!!!

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by RKS.PA

Charlie, it probably dawned on you long ago that you are blessed, as am I. We have wives that support us in this old Ford hobby, regardless! And....those smaller hands sure come in handy at times!!

wives are the greatest...
all long time ago my wife and I were discussing what king of tires to buy.
My wife added, I think you should get Radio tires.
I looked at her and answered, AM or FM?

[uncle buck]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Michael,


It's not a Model A. '32 commercial gas tanks do not vent inside the cab unless you operate the vehicle without floorboards, which is a whole set of real dangers.

David,
If I understand the truck tank design, the venting is through the fuel sender which installs from the bottom of the gas tank?

[DavidG]

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Yes, please see post #25 above.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by uncle buck

David,
If I understand the truck tank design, the venting is through the fuel sender which installs from the bottom of the gas tank?

The My sedan fuel tank vents from the top of the tank.

[35fordtn]

Passenger car tanks are a whole different animal... in comparison to a 1932 Pickup tank

[Clem Clement]

I thought all tanks were vented?

[JRHASZARD]

C-5 Galaxy has a fuel tank inerting system in which the ullage area is saturated with nitrogen. Also, as the fuel enters the tank, it is "swirled" causing it to release dissolved oxygen which would otherwise be released as pressure in the tank drops as the airplane climbs. I think I will take my zippo and peer into the neck to see if my 39 pickup has this same system.