Hi,

This is my first time posting and am in need of advice on repairing the interior panel above the fuel tank on a 1982 Trans Am (LU5, WS6). I recently bought the car, which was in storage for the past 10 years. There are just under 27,000 miles on the car, but it appears as if sometime in the past, the fuel pump was probably replaced and access to the tank was obtained by hacking a rectangular piece from the panel just above it. Here are a couple of questions: 1. Was there originally a small access panel in the area that is cut away in the photo? (In other words, was it one solid panel above the fuel tank or should there be an access panel to get to the tank.) 2. Are there any recommendations on how to repair the area?

Thanks very much,

Jim

 

It was solid... someone cut it to gain access to the pump...

check out these threads

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fabr...cess-hole.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...-previous.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...fuel-pump.html

 

Thanks - appreciate it, very helpful.

 

One of my parts cars had the same thing, except they left it partially attached. I'm honestly a pretty good welder, so I just welded a peice of sheet metal on it and then fill the rough spots with body filler and sand it down... Just like body work. BUT! If you do weld it, be SUPER careful. I mean, you are above a gas tank. (I had mine out of the car when I welded it.


This is how it turned out. Interior is trashed, but its a parts car with no windshield and sits outside.
When we put carpet over it, it was not noticeable and looked 100% natural. Sorry for how bad it looks lol, we never got around to painting it all one color.

IMG_0087

 

At least on yours they left the edges fairly neat. On my car they were bent up and jagged and crooked as can be. They also just folded the piece up and then folded it back down leaving alot of very bent metal. I would consider redoing the fuel line splices to something much more permanent like compression fittings. Then figure out how you are going to patch it. I got a much larger panel from a junk car to use as a patch.
As mentioned above caution if welding in a patch. I would want to drop the tank.

 

Thanks for the advice - I've decided to remove the tank (the proper way), drain and clean it out (because the previous owner had the car in storage for almost ten years), and replace the fuel sending unit and fuel pump. I'm not a good welder, so, while the tank is out, I'll leave the panel repair to a local body shop guy. I'll post some pictures when it's done.

 

Post up some pics of the car.

 

Here are some photos, along with a bit of background. The car is an 82 Trans Am (Cross-Fire, WS6) with just under 27,000 miles. It was advertised for sale on a message board at Trapshooters.com. I've been searching for an 82 TA like this for quite some time and came across the listing in late May through a regular internet search for "1982 Pontiac Trans Am for sale." (The link to the Trapshooters message board was on the third or fourth page of the results list.) Anyway, the previous (and original) owner had the car in storage for nearly ten years in Cleveland, so I made the short trip from my home in eastern PA (outside Philadelphia) to have a look at the car. Although there is minor body work that needs to be done, the car is stock, rust free, and mechanically in good condition. I bought it for $3,000, and transported it home with a friend's trailer earlier this month. The car is dirty, inside and out, so, after the repairs to the trunk panel are complete and the tank reinstalled, I will get busy with detailing. Any suggestions for polishing/waxing and interior care products are welcome. Thanks, Jim

 

More photos:

 

Damage to right front fender and to left quarterpanel visible. (The car has all four caps; only the right rear was on, though, when I looked at the car.)