Seems like every vehicle I've ever put a fuel pump in had a piece of hose on the fuel filler neck. Sure make it much easier to put a pump on the third gen with that little addition. Have to wonder what GM was thinking with the general setup for this. Always suspect these cars were designed from the Chevy Citation, which was a front wheel drive, nothing to impede that gas tank removal. Ok, rant over. Not looking forward to this little job!

 

Is there anything preventing us from cutting a section out and replacing with rubber?
I like the idea, especially after reading about how the aftermarket tanks filler tubes are not at the proper angle to fit.

 

When I dropped the tank out of my '87 it just slid out and then slid right back in without too much fuss. Actually it didn't... It fought me all the way and I swore enough to make my dog run and hide.

I don't see why you couldn't splice in a rubber hose though.

 

If you cut the filler neck it will be flopping around your fender. On my 92, there is nothing to support the filler neck other than the solid structure itself. It does have a "crinkled" section that allows for bending during removal and installation.

 

Looks like another thing I will have to re-engineer.

 

I have a 4th gen tank and it uses rubber hose and the end flops around. I guess every 3rd gen has a little bit of red-neck no matter how nice the car is.

 

I didn't have much problem with my Dorman tank. The filler neck was pretty close and I didn't have to bend it much if at all. It does take a newer style cap than my 86 original tank but this is minor. The angles needed to get the tank in are pretty extreme so it's best done on a lift.

FWIW.

GD

 

Hose on the fourth gens, didn't know that. Might think about cutting the neck and putting a hose on there. Trying to talk myself out of cutting the floor above the tank.

 

#1 cause of difficulty r&r'ing the tank, is not removing enough of the parts that get in the way. A few minutes spent removing EVERYTHING in the way, makes it EASY. Only problem with that is rust and decay that makes bolts stick, or parts brittle that fail when they're disconnected.

With everything out of the way, and the straps removed, the tank practically falls out.

 

They have pills for a floppy hose..