Hi, I'm just curious if it's tricky to take out the gas tank? It seems to be hanging in some metal straps, and then there's a bunch of hoses connected at the top. Any suggestions on doing this? I was hoping to change the rubber fuel line at the back at some point, just want to prepare...
It's not hard at all (unless you're silly like me and have a tow hitch welded to your frame...). Hardest part is getting the hose clamps off of the fuel feed, vent, and return lines. Then pull the nuts off of the metal straps, and lower the tank down and out. If all you want to do is replace the rubber hoses, you should be able to do that without pulling the tank.
If you lower the tank, put a floor jack under it. That way it won't just fall when you cut the strap (might as well put new ones on). The jack will also make it easier to guide down so you can unplug the wires and disconnect the fuel lines before they start to pull.
Good to know, some day I'll be under there again.. Now I need your help to figure out why timing the HEI isn't working out.. http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?p=596299#post596299 Many thanks
I'd also wait untio you ran the tank to near dry or syphoned all the gas out. Drop the straps, and the hoses should be long enough that you can get in there and take them off. The jack is a good idea, Or you can let it lay on your chest if it's empty, just make sure it is!
I just did this. 1. Empty the tank as much as you can....each gallon adds about 8 or so pounds. 2. use a floor jack. 3. It took me quite a while to loosen the bolts holding up the straps. I used a whole bunch of PB Blaster, but I got the job done. Ended up replacing the bolts anyway, so I could have just cut them. 4. Slowly lower the tank using the floor jack. If you are not removing the tank like I did, you don't have to lower too far to get to the hoses. A simple clamp and the hoses were loose. There is also a ground wire for the fuel guage and power to the sender that will have to come off if you are removing the tank. 5. Reverse for installing. I took my tank totally off the car, found what was left of a second build sheet (first one was nearly perfect inside the passenger door), cleaned and degreased the outside, used POR-15 to seal the tank. Fixed the underside of the trunk floor and reinstalled the tank. Took a little bit of coaxing to get it started after that, but, the job is done and won't have to be done again. Now I just have to replace the front ball joints Good luck.
Cut the straps??? Maybe the bolts...where you gonna get some replacement straps? Easier to loosen the bolts, imho. Also, the fuel feed wire comes up from the rear of the car, should be a lot of slack in it so you shouldn't have to worry about it until you get the tank way down. But that ground wire...get it first. (or, you could do like I had to, and cut a hole in the trunk floor...not that I'm recommending that... :rant: )
