Hey guys, I found an 89 trans am thats a steal, but doesnt run due to a bad fuel pump. I heard there is a secret to getting the pump out easier, by cutting a hole above the gas tank or something similar..does anyone knwo about this and could provide help..? Thanks

 

Don't hack up the car. Do it right and drop the tank.

(Now all the car hacker uppers can chime in with their side.)

 

I agree - do the fuel pump the right way - it's not that hard, just time consuming (8 hours alone).

Are you 100% sure it's a bad fuel pump? Maybe the relay, or the oil pressure sending unit - worth testing those two things before replacing the fuel pump.

 

Another vote for doing the fuel pump the right way. My first fuel pump change took only 2 hours with the use of simple hand tools and two jack stands. I still to this day don't know what is so hard about it. IMHO it would take longer to properly fabricate a hatch than it would two just drop a few suspension parts and remove some straps (and fuel neck hose mount screws).

 

Another vote for doing it by dropping the tank. I have done this twice and it took only a couple hours both times.

 

another vote for dropping the tank. The only other thing I'd change is cutting the filler neck at the tank and splicing it back with double-clamped hose but even that's not needed. I've gotten good at dropping exhaust and suspension.....damnit