what is the easiest way to remove the gas tank? i have an 89 rs convertible and need to remove the tank to get rid of the electric pump. all of the bolts are rusted solid. is there an easier way than dropping the exhaust and rear axle, and the crossmembers?

 

I don't envy you right now.
Unfortunately "easy way" and "gas tank removal" don't really go hand in hand.

You need to drop the exhaust, remove the rear part if you can, it'd make it easier, and I think you can get away with just dropping the rear end as far as possible, but it'd probably be making the job harder that way. Might want to just remove it all.

It's a solid weekend of work, solid.
Not difficult, just long and tedious. The fun stops very quickly.
Shouldn't need to drop any crossmembers (the tranny cross member if that's what you mean).

Get some PB blaster for the bolts. Spray a bunch of it on all suspension bolts, exhaust bolts, and fuel tank bolts, and let it sit for a while. Unfortunately using a torch on some of those bolts is kinda dicey (fuel tank bolts )

uh, so yea, good luck!

 

If your fuel pump is still good why not save the trouble of dropping the tank and instead use an adjustable fuel pressure regulator to drop the fuel pressure to a carb friendly level?

 

I still don't understand. I've looked at my tank a couple times. It doesn't look like there'd be any problem getting it out. There is a frame stiffener with 4 bolts, and maybe the exhaust. Is it because of the filler neck? I'd cut it off if that's the case. (1986 IROC)

 

Yes, it's because of the filler neck.

No, don't cut it off and be a hack. I agree with milehigh about getting a regulator and using the intank pump if it still works.

 

my intank pump doesn't work anymore. the guy i got the car from ran it out of gas too many times before the engine swap.

 

This is not a hard job, and definately not an entire weekend job. It is semi-tedious. I just did a 94 camaro at work last saturday had it done in 4 hours. Take the pocket out of the fuel filler door, drop your exhaust, may have to cut it. Unbolt the shocks off the rearend. Unbolt the panhard bar(Access to air impact makes this cake, otherwise may be tough. On this 94 I had to unbolt the torque-arm off the rear so it would drop farther, make sure your not gonna stretch anybrake lines or anything. You'll have a couple heat shields, they come off easy with 7mm bolts. Undo all your fuel lines, vent lines, etc... Undo your fuel tank straps, and to get the tank out, you have to bring the passenger side down first, then kind of swing it around, I had another guy help me get it out, makes it easier. Drain the tank once you get the pump out, and you'll be able to get it back in by yourself. Its really not as hard of a job as everyone says.

 

I've taken my gas tank out like four times and I have never had to take off or do anything to the rear end. I just take of the panhard bar and then the pocket of the fuel filler door. The tank will come right down if it wasn't for the filler neck, but thant isn't a problem just stick something in the filler neck to bend it a little and it will come out. I forgot to mention I don't have a muffler under the tank either so that helped out also.

 

I bet it leaks when it's full of gas or you turn sharp left too.

 

Thay sell the replacement gass tank now with the neck piece separate, Tank and neck i still bought the one piece. i have done 6 tank jobes now in the 3rd gen it is really not that bad of a job but if it is your first one then expect it to take a weekend after doing a few you will be able to do it in like 4-6 hours.
NOW on the rear end lower it as far as it can go before the rubber brake line snaps. Ramp or high jack stand are a must.

 

Why would you bend the filler neck with the problems gm had with a bumnch of them leaking and all???

 

I had no idea they leaked but I have never had a problem. Its not like your bending it much. As a matter of fact it was first done with my friends car and it has not leaked because the filler neck was bent. Why not try it first and see what happens. It amazes me to see that people say they take a couple of hours to drop the tank when it only takes me 30-45 minutes but go ahead and try what I mentioned earlier and you'll save yourself a whole lot of time.

 

It looks like I'm up for a tank replacement (perhaps) - I still have to see where my leak is. Who makes this replacement tank with the seperate neck piece? got a web site?

TIA
--30Bird

 

Can you cut the filler neck and then reconnect it with a short piece of rubber fuel filler hose?

 

Yes...and No. New tank, then yes, used tank then no. Cut it just below the spot weld towards the tank side of the filler neck. You'll see then that you also cut the vent pipe inside the neck just below where it was spot welded.

Now, if it's a new tank you should tack weld that vent inside the filler neck to keep it from rattling. After this the tank will fly up into the car. Then use specific "filler neck" hose(2") which is some mighty stiff and durable stuff with hose clamps, reconnect the short filler neck end and it'll be just fine.

Now if it is a used tank or ever had gas in it then I wouldn't do this repair at all.I feel it's important to tack that vent back to the inside of the filler neck and nobody should be welding a tank that has had gas in it.

I know this is a hack repair but it's hidden and with the necks being so fragile on these tanks,it's worth the abuse from friends who know you've done it.

 

Hack

 

There is no need to hack or cut anything when doing a fuel pump replacement. If you remove the panhard bar and remove the shocks and the sway bar from the rearend it will drop completely out of the way. Just keep an eye on your brake lines. I can do a fuel pump replacement in about 4 hours, alone, without cutting anything. Don't be a hack.

 

I'd like to add that I just unbolted the brake line from the body to prevent any damage to it.

My wal-mart jack and stands with a couple 2X4's pulled it off.

My car is pretty clean, rust-wise, and my first tank drop took about 4 hours with a total of three people and only one set of tools. Didn't bend anything or cut anything either.

 

quick question. my third gen have been sitting for at least four years,i can't remember just how much gas i had in it when i pulled the motor to have it rebuilt. if there was less than half a tank, do you think i need to pull the tank out?

 

If there was stabilizer stuff put in near the beggining...maybe. I wouldn't risk it either way. 4 years is quite a while for gasoline. But then again, I'm pretty picky about my cars.

The price of gas sucks, but topping off just to have to drain the whole thing and then fill it up again would be worse.

Gas: $40.00 or so for a full tank
Peace of Mind: Priceless

DISCLAIMER: Gas is flammable, a skin irritant(ask me how I know that one), and quite dangerous. I am not responsible for your saftey or property.

To drain it, just open up the line by the fuel filter, or the flex line by the tank. In my experiance, the tank will drain itself no matter what you do.
If, for some reason it doesn't drain, you could BUMP the pump to get it started.(PLEASE be CAREFUL about this though, it will SHOOT out with an EFI pump in the tank)

 

You can also siphon it all out. Granted you might leave like a pint or so, but when that mixes with a full tank of good gas, I don't think it would be harmful.

 

okay, almost have the tank out(didn't drop the rear end,but may have to)the question i have now is where do i take it to have it cleaned?or is that something i could do myself. do any of you guys know of a shop near Snellville, Ga?

 

okay,tanks out.i did have to drop the rear end.(please tell me its going to easier going back in) now thats its out, i'm going to have the tank hot-tanked.i found a radiator place that do tanks also in larenceville.my question now is whats the best pump to go back in there with? or would it be better to go with an after market pump like Holley or Barry Grant

 

If just stock a stock one will work fine (this is an EFI car, correct?). If you're going to be making more power down the road, I would get a kit from racetronix. It comes with a 255 lph walbro pump and an upgraded wiring harness.

http://www.racetronix.com/product/RX..._Pump_Kit.html

This kit works great and I highly recommend it.