Removing Gas Tank

[Walter Moore]

It rains in California? I am so disillusioned...

To get the screws out of the fender panel that blocks access to the filler tube I recommend an impact driver.

I bought one of those years ago from JCWhitney, and it has become one of my favorite tools. I have rarely seen it fail to remove a rusted-in-place philips head screw. It looks like cross between a metal screw driver and a rachet. You just put the tip into the stuck screw and hit the end with a hammer. (There is usually a forward/reverse selection by twisting the end to the appropriate cam. I always have to push mine on the floor to make sure it is turning the right direction.)

Once you take out that panel, removing the filler tube is easy, particularly if the OEM hose clamp is still on there. Just grab it with some channel-locks and break it. (You can't really reuse it anyway.)

[new_2_z]

what i did was i put some of that stuff u put on rusty nuts. then i got teh dremel and cleaned up it. after that prep work it come off pretty easy. yea after that panel came off i could actually fit my hand in it. those clamps that have on the fuel lines suck. i guess thats old tech for u but i like the new ones where its just a solid metal clamp and u dont have to worry about the screw falling out.

[gnosez]

You can take all the vent and overfill hoses down to the local NAPA store and if they're the friendly type, you can go through their hose supply and find the right hose that matches the bends in the more expensive ones ($90. for the long one!) The straight sections can be any good all-purpose fuel/oil line connected by plastic hose barbs. The gromments for the vent lines can be found at www.zzxdatsun.com look under rubber parts.

[new_2_z]

that sounds good but to save head problems does anyone now the sizes and teh length of the hoses?

[Coastieee240z]

Here's the pics I promised. I know it's kinda hard cause you can't see the last bit of hose that connects to the tank but it's the best I could do without removing the tank In the first pic you can't see it but where it (the lower hose that doesn't have webbing) makes that first 90° bend towards the center of the car through the hole there's another 90° hose barb there as well.

Click on the pics for the larger images :classic:

[new_2_z]

o i like that idea of the 90 degree been

u inspired me to do that save me alot of screaming at the car. so you all that stuff at the marine shop?

[Coastieee240z]

Yep "West Marine" to be specific although I'd imagine any marine shop similar should have the same stuff. The fuel hose itself is typically thicker walled as well seems like everything marine grade is beefed up some. :classic:

[new_2_z]

i see u upgraded those clamps to modern ones. did the 30+ year old clamps give u hell :stupid: . i will prob do the same set up like u have with some thinking here and their. thank god u dont have like a copyright on that stuff .

[sblake01]

Banzai Motorworks (http://www.zzxdatsun.com) sells all the pre-formed tank hoses and grommets. They list them for 1970-1973 240Z but I believe the 260Z uses the same setup.

[Jayru]

Has anyone ever figured out how to eliminate that whole archaic setup? There must be an easier way to vent the tank no?

It's only needed for when you fill it up right?

[Coastieee240z]

Has anyone ever figured out how to eliminate that whole archaic setup? There must be an easier way to vent the tank no?

It's only needed for when you fill it up right?

I could be wrong but somethin's tellin me that it's not just for that...things expand when they get hot and on hot days that gas sitting in that metal tank is going to do the same thing which means the vapors need somewhere to go and if your gas cap is functioning properly well it ain't goin out that way So I think it allows circulation so to speak and possible controlled venting ?? If someone knows for sure please correct me if I'm wrong :nervous:

[Coastieee240z]

i see u upgraded those clamps to modern ones. did the 30+ year old clamps give u hell :stupid: . i will prob do the same set up like u have with some thinking here and their. thank god u dont have like a copyright on that stuff .

I absolutly detest those archaic pieces of crap :tapemouth Whoever came up with those did not think of how the weather and time was going to effect the future operation of the built in spring temper of the clamp that is supposed to make it get larger as you loosen the screw but instead stays stuck how it's set and requires cutting it to get it off 75% of the time and should therefore be taken out and shot in the teeth :rambo: {rant over}