It won't hurt it, but it also won't fix your issue to eliminate it. They are a bugger to position when pulling the tank down and putting it back. Its sole purpose is to let air that is being displaced by fuel back out the fill neck. Might be able to warm it up and put something inside to help...

Some are loving the patina and old look. I like both nice and shiny and used and aged looks. Looks like you are making great progress.

Cosmetically the Dennis Carpenter is definitely more accurate.

Most modern gaskets are silicone similar to that. I don't know what they withstand as far as tightening goes. You would want to be aware that you can overtighten them and damage them. Modern gaskets are also either in channels that keep them contained or have inserts in them to prevent...

It will compress in time. If the body lines are flush, it is adjusted proper. Also need to be sure the plastic on the door latch pin is in good shape. If it is worn, it can cause it to be harder to latch as well.

Looks like a nice, solid base with some interesting history to go with it.

Seem to recall that there is a check valve in the fuel line but could be wrong on that. Either way, it is definitely a case of the check valve for the front tank allowing it to go into the return side despite being the rear tank in operation.

Hard to say. After this many years, owner modifications are likely. Pics would help.

The hole I had was on the bottom, so wasn't easily visible.

Could well be a vacuum leak or as mentioned the power valve. I had a 75 that the hose to the brake booster developed a hole. It was intermittent about starting and once that got bad enough it wouldn't start at all.

The straps are essentially the same ones, just with extended bolts and pipe spacers... The sending unit is the original but modified. The instructions come with the tank if you buy one new. It was never factory issued, just an aftermarket option.

No trucks had factory injection in 1978, 460's didn't until into the later 80's or so. This will also still have steel lines, not plastic as that was also in the 80's.

If it has been sitting it may well have the carb gunked up with varnish. Since you have a new carb coming for it you wouldn't likely want to take time and money to try to clear it out. The fuel pump also may be failed. A note on the electric fuel pump is that you have to be somewhat cautious...

Main thing is being sure the oil drive didn't fall out and doesn't while you are trying to find the proper position. After that, making sure whether you are on #1 tdc or #6.Getting it to drop into the oil pump or drive can be troublesome, so if is pretty close, bar the motor over until it drops...

You may have an intercooler which is just a radiator for the air. When air is compressed it heats up, and the intercooler is designed to remove some of that heat for a denser charge for combustion. If this is the case, the turbo will have a tube that goes to the radiator area and another will...