Relocated the gas tank. What to do with the old hole?

Despite being from Minnesota, I have no desire for a modern-day Viking funeral. With that thought, the gas tank in my Studebaker truck is now under the pickup bed and the filler neck no longer runs through the p***enger compartment.

But I've got this hole, see. What should I do with it? A few thoughts come to mind:

1. Fill it in like it was never there.
2. Put a gas cap there and hope to God no one ever tries to "fill 'er up."
3. Hang a greasy rag out of it.

I'd actually make sure #2 never happens with a block-off plate and a "keep looking, dumb***" sign.

Does someone have a better idea? Got pictures of something cool or clever that you did or saw at a car show?

 

put the gas cap there with a spring loaded boxing glove inside. if someone ever pops the cap to steal your gas they will get on right in the kisser. it really works ... I seen it on a cartoon.

 

The quick and nasty way is to use a locking gas cap so no one can open it but if you still have body work to do I'd be making a filler panel and weld the hole up and be done with it.

 

#2 could be dangerous! Mabee just tac weld the cap on the filler neck. That way there can be no accidents! I like the "keep lookin, dumb***" slogan. Instead of a sign just have it pinstriped on.

 

put a locked open flip type cover on it and stick a cookie monster coming out of it...

 

There's something you can get at an adult store that would be pretty shocking springin' up outa there...Just imagine!

 

But then you would have to change the lettering to "Keep looking, ****head!" LOL!!

 

Now THAT's thinkin' with your pecker, er....head, er....you know what I mean. Good idea!. DD

 

#2, just use a locking gas cap, and throw away the keys

A****er Mike, and 1941ihkb5 both "bring up" a valid solution also

 

Fill it, did this same thing on my 37 GMC

 

"What to do with the old hole?" I ask myself that same question every night!

 

Do it right

#1

 

Fill it with the spring loaded snakes from a can of peanuts.

 

Another vote for #1

 

How are you going to fill the new tank?

If you're going to have a visible gas cap for that tank, then I think you should fill in the original hole. I know some trucks had multiple tanks (with 2 gas caps), but on an old truck, I don't think it would look right.


If the new filler cap is hidden, then leaving the old one there is the simple solution.

 

Another vote for #1

 

If you are wanting to save your paint (not doing body work) I would just do the blocked off filler neck with a cap.
SIMPLE!
Most probably wont even notice it and the ones that do will probably admire the simplicity of the fix

 

What to do with the old hole? Divorce her!

 

a little OT, but we have a guy that comes to the shop with a model A coupe that has 3, yes 3 gas caps. 1 in the cowl, 1 in the left quarter panel and one right on the tank between the rear frame rails (the only one that functions). In my opinion it looks stupid, whoever built this car had all his taste in his mouth. SBC, TH350, ****ty chop job, centerline wheels, Billet everything, ugggggggg.

 

Well, since you live in Minnesota I am going to toss out an off-the-wall suggestion for you to take advantage of the hole and put it to practical use for one of the following.

1. Install a block heater and wire it so that the place to connect the extension cord to plug it in is behind the original cap.

or

2. Install a float charger for the battery in the truck and wire it so that the place to connect the extension cord to plug it in is behind the original cap.
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Either seems like a useful accessory in a state where the fictional town of Frostbite Falls was located.

 

French it in withy a piece of exhaust manifold and add a power antenna to it. Them ole Studes look pretty cool! Just my .02!

 

I'm the weird sort that likes to play with peoples minds.

Leave the stock looking set up on the outside, but put a catch can inside.

At the right time with people around, say that you are about out of fuel. Be creative as to what you stuff in.

It worked on back to the future.......................

 

The real gas cap will be in the p***enger side rear fender -- not visible from the original one by the driver's door.

Wow. I really like the catch can and can-o-snakes ideas! I also like the idea of installing an antenna there. But what could be better than claiming my truck runs on beer? Maybe saying, "Go ahead, look what I put in the old filler neck!"

 

I have seen a few with a piston stuck in the hole...not a permanent fix, but could get you by til you can fill the hole. You could also relocate the battery to a box behind the seat,or under the bed, to clean up under the hood, and put a pair of charging posts under the cap for easy jump starts.

 

Installed my fuel cell in the trunk and wanted to keep the nifty stock looking filler in the rear fender, so I just got a rubber plug and glued it inside the neck so the gas jockeys wont try to fill gas there.

 

Cut out the hole and put it on Ebay. Only problem is you will have a bigger hole to deal with. Cut that one out and throw it away. ****...keep cutting out the holes until they are all gone.

 

Had the same issue on my 37 Dodge,I took the filler out ,cut it and welded a cap on it and reinstalled.

 

On a '57 Ford, I found a painted round gas cap that fit the hole from underneath. Welded it in and it had the right contour. Ground the weld smooth and used a skim coat of filler.

 

Judging by your avatar, you like the swoopy, go-fast look. IMHO fill it in with sheet metal and paint it over so it looks like it was never there....I just wish I had an old Studebaker truck to play with...In the early eighties, there was a guy that ran one at Firebird Lake, (Phoenix, AZ), and they've been dear to my heart ever since.

 

i like the number 2 idea.. a sign inside would be funny...