I was wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of a procedure for removing the gas tank of a tpi car.

My problem is, in case anyone has any suggesions, is that when I start the engine, after it has been sitting for an appreciable time, it wants to stall. If I stand on the throttle hard core, I can prevent it, but it keeps on trying to stall for a few more minutes, until eventually there is only major hesitation when I press on the gas (I mean, the rpms will drop to below 500 before they rise). After driving for a while, the problem seems to go away.
Also, I notice a high pitched hissing sound coming from what seems to be the gas tank. It goes away if I open the gas cap. It used to only do this after extended driving, now it seems to do it after even a few miles.
My best guess is that the fuel pump is getting weak. I say this because less than a month ago I replaced the fuel filter, and the air filter. But obviously I'm open to other suggestions.

Again, thanks for tolerating my lack of knowledge.

 

Sounds like it is that or the filter in the tank. If you do this I would prob go on and replace both the pump and filter ( even if they seemed to be ok) b/c fuel tank drops are a PAIN!!!!!! Hopefully you dont have much gas in there. If I remember all of the steps you have to first drop the rear axle, then drop the exhaust and THEN get to the gas tank! I think you ALSO have to unbolt the ones at the headers. You are going to have to play with the tank prob to get it out unless you take the exhaust and axle all the way off. I would recommend a weekend for this. Of course if you had a lift it would be great but if you are like me you have to use a jack and jack stands. You better have lots of wd-40 and an impact wrench would be nice alse. Hope I helped out some, and good luck.

BTW--- Remember to plug in your pump before you get the tank allllll the way back in (lol that happened to me). Also, when you put your tank back in watch out for the wires and not get them caught on anything.

 

I just did mine this last Sunday. I invited a buddy over and we had it done in under 5 hours. It's not tooo bad of a job. You have to remove a lot to get the tank out. Disconnect battery, remove rear wheels, remove driveshaft, torque arm, disconnect lower control arms, remove panhard bar (and bar above that) disconnect the shocks at the axle and remove the heat shield. I didnt have to disconnect any brake lines so that helped also. It was fairly simple and straightforward. WD-40 everything a day or two in advance, it will help. Of course an impact wrench and air ratchet will make the job go so much easier. Good luck!

 

Wow that sounds kind of daunting
But thanks dudes

 

The motto for dropping the tank is:
"When the going gets tough, switch to pnuematic tools."

 

takin out your gas tank sucks so bad, i did mine because my fuel pump went out, and i pray that i never have to do it again. there is so much to remove, i had about 3/4 tank of gas in there, and then theres having to get that fuel neck out of its tight little area, never again!

 

Friend of mine used to do lots of fuel pump swaps in f-bodies. He said that you can get away with just dropping the exaust and the pan-hard. You could also jsut unbolt the shocks, remove the panhard (may have to remove the driveshaft + torque arm as well) and break all the bolts loose at the rear suspention without removing anything. This way, you can drop the rear way down without overly stressing the rubber bushings.

 

AMEN is all I have to say to that. I had so much trouble with that damn thing. I couldn't believe that the tank was so far crammed up there. Had my neighbor help me. Fuel pumps suck when they go out on these cars. Love my car to death, but I tell you, I couldn't have hated it more at that time.

 

I had to remove my exhaust (aftermarket) from the catalytic converter back, drop the panhard bar, and I think remove some other rear suspension piece.

I honestly don't know how GM even fit these tanks in the car at the factory; it's almost as if they built the unibody around the tank! I literally had to pry the tank out of its home and bend the filler neck to get it to come out. I remember scratching my head numerous times, just thinking, "how'd they do that?"