OT rant about keeping '77 B200 camper on the road; then a fuel filler question

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Bill Crowell

Bill Crowell

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I built a nice, balanced LA 360 smog motor for my '77 B200 Sportsman Royal camper that I've owned since new. I've taken a few long road trips in it, and it runs pretty much like a new vehicle. I would like to take some more trips, but have trouble getting it smogged.

It has ported "J" heads, match-ported Edelbrock intake, forged pistons and a MP P4452759 (260-268) cam (which is about the biggest one I think will smog), and I kept the C.R. at the stock 8.5:1 so I would be sure to pass, and it did. I like the engine, even though it is a bit of a dog off the line with that low C.R. and all that porting because it runs strong at higher revs. It's got a 727 Loadflite, the 9-1/4" 3.55 rear end and a rebuilt Red Top steering box.

3-29-2018.jpg
engine 3-29-2018.jpg


My problem in passing smog is that my original 36-gallon polyethylene tank leaked, failed the evaporative test, couldn't be repaired and is NLA, so I have to switch over to the only kind of tank available that will fit, the 22-gallon steel unit made by Spectra. I was able to get the correct 22-gallon tank straps and sending unit, but I have to modify my old filler tube to make it work, since the original 22-gallon filler tube is also NLA. My question is, I don't understand what kind of filler tube stub is supposed to mate with the tank inlet:

tank inlet.jpg


I have never seen one like this before. Could somebody please clue me in as to what kind of inlet tube stub will mate with this tank, and how it is supposed to be sealed? Or maybe a hose connects to it directly? Thanks very much. (I tried asking this question in the Dodge van Facebook group, but got no useful responses, and I am not aware of any other Dodge van forums that still exist. I also asked the eBay seller of the tank, but it is fairly hard to communicate with him.)
 
Can't help much, but know that mopar makes at least two kinds of rubber "donuts" that your fill tube will slip into. Maybe there is a trip to the wrecking yard in your future.
 
did you allready buy the steel tank?

i know you mentioned not being able to fix the stock tank BUT there is a product made by caswell that is a 2 part epoxy that works wonders on cracked plastic gastanks (like the ones you find on dirtbikes)

might be worth a shot?
 
Body shops that do bumper repairs have plastc welding equipment.
 
"there is a product made by caswell that is a 2 part epoxy"

"Body shops that do bumper repairs have plasitc welding equipment."

All of that stuff has been tried, and more. You can't fix a polyethylene tank, period.
 
I'm thinking your compression is at just under 140 psi. A 9.3 Scr might get you 158 psi, and a huge increase in take-off power, in the neighborhood of 12%. That might not sound like a lot, but it is better than the equivalent increase in rear gear, or like 4.00s in place of the 3.55s.
Old news I know, so how about an increase in stall speed. You'd be looking at an increase of the same percent; ie from 2200 to 2500. That would cover the compression issue. A 2800 might let you spin the tires,lol. Actually that's not quite true; IE you'd be looking to find a stall-rpm where the torque is 12% higher, Say your 360 is putting out 230ftlbs at your current stall, then you'd be looking for 258 ftlbs as the new torque at stall. It might be 2500. IDK, or it might be at 2600 IDK. And the 230 number I just picked out of a hat, looking at the TQ, the tire size, and the power loss thru the powertrain, and assuming the TQ will not make any more torque at the current stall, with or without the secondaries opening........and the complete lack of tirespin. I just used it as an example.
 
Last edited:
TrailBeast said:
It should take this type.
1971-1978 Dodge Van And RV Fuel Tank Grommet Filler Neck Seal

View attachment 1715158727
Click to expand...

That's it! Bill, the filler neck just slips in the doughnut, but that may put you having to get some steel pipe and clamping your filler hose onto that, and then slipping the pipe into the doughnut, as the doughnut has to have a steel pipe to slip into it. make sure you measure the doughnut to get the correct size OD so it will seal properly.

OR, Red Cote tank sealer also works with plastic tanks if you want to repair the original.
 
Bill Crowell said:
What kind of hardware is necessary to attach the 2" filler tube to the tank, using the rubber grommet mentioned above?
Click to expand...

Nothing. Simply clamp the pipe to the filler neck hose and slip the pipe into the doughnut. As I stated, the pipe needs to be a big enough OD that it will fit tightly and seal good.
 
Please put down the crack pipe.

AJ/FormS said:
I'm thinking your compression is at just under 140 psi. A 9.3 Scr might get you 158 psi, and a huge increase in take-off power, in the neighborhood of 12%. That might not sound like a lot, but it is better than the equivalent increase in rear gear, or like 4.00s in place of the 3.55s.
Old news I know, so how about an increase in stall speed. You'd be looking at an increase of the same percent; ie from 2200 to 2500. That would cover the compression issue. A 2800 might let you spin the tires,lol. Actually that's not quite true; IE you'd be looking to find a stall-rpm where the torque is 12% higher, Say your 360 is putting out 230ftlbs at your current stall, then you'd be looking for 258 ftlbs as the new torque at stall. It might be 2500. IDK, or it might be at 2600 IDK. And the 230 number I just picked out of a hat, looking at the TQ, the tire size, and the power loss thru the powertrain, and assuming the TQ will not make any more torque at the current stall, with or without the secondaries opening........and the complete lack of tirespin. I just used it as an example.
Click to expand...
 
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