Its time to replace the old fuel pump. I heard of people on here who cut an access hole above their tank to prevent taking half the freaking car apart to do the swap. Is this a good idea? Anyone on here done it? Would if affect my structural ridgity?
thanks

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'92 Formula
305 TPI 5speed
1LE package
Mods: SLP headers,SLP catback,SLP air foil,ported plenum,Crane AFPR (42psi),MSD6AL,homemade cold air,K&Ns,3:73s,JET fan switch, Macewen white face gauges...ZZ9 cam (i still have to install it )

 

I think it's a horribly stupid and dangerous idea. Unless you use a nibbler or some other means to cut with no depth, you'll hit the tank and explode. Not only that, but you're cutting a hole in your car. Just let that one sink in. It's like cutting a hole in your hood to check your oil because you're too lazy to pop the hood. Just plan on using up a Saturday, get a 6 pack and invite a friend over. When it's all said and done, you'll have the pride of having done it right, and you wouldn't have cut a useless hole into your car.

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I agree with Jim! Plus, unless you know where the pump is, what happens if you cut a hole and miss the pump altogether? "Oops, gotta cut another hole."

Dropping the tank isn't that bad. Most of the work is dropping the axle to the ground. Once the axle's touching the ground (don't kink your brake line or stress the hose!) you can pull your whole exhaust straight out from under the car. Then it's a few hoses to unhook (replace the vent ones), and changing the actual pump will take you 5 minutes.

Don't re-use the pulsator- it can leak! Use the piece of rubber hose and self-tightening clamps included with the pump.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Agreed. I bit the big one and did it the 'right' way as well ... I feel A LOT better about not cutting a hole in my "trunk." Don't drill a hole .... yes it's a stupid GM design, but live with it ...

 

One other note to this,, the clearance of the tank to the chassis is only about ¾ of an inch. The sender is in the middle and cutting the hole isn't that hard to get right if you make it big enough but with a fuel injected engine the sender lines are not rubber lines clamped on right at the tank,,, the fuel lines are solid and run to the far drivers side of the tank where they are coupled on a mount to the rest of the line to the engine. Basically you would have to cut the floor from the center to as far as poss. to the drivers side then back to the center (making a large triangle). Then after fighting getting the old pump out from the odd ways you have to twist it to get it and the sender out you would then have to weld what you cut out back in with the gas tank under it. It's just as much if not more work than just dropping the tank.

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Da Boid

- 4 out of 5 people think the 5th is an idiot

 

I agree with everyone else. When I first got my thirdgen I drilled a hole right into my tank while trying to mount some amplifiers. I was smellin fumes while I tried to run the tank out of gas so I could drop it. My point is, if you drill, you will hit the tank. Its a lot thinner than you think, and is VERY close to the sheet metel that covers it.

 

Someone did it on my 86--looks like crap plus it's dangerous!! Don't do it!