Fuel Tank Removal "How To"

[argniest]

I guess I shouldnt have been working on it at 1130 pm at night. I was being very careful, and didnt know exactly what it was going to look like when I moved the sender unit. I think before I realized it, I had moved it too far to know exactly how it was in there. And I was like ooooooooooooooh great NOW I HAVE DONE IT. I dont know exactly how to position when I put it back in there.

I did mark what position to put it back in. I made a diagram. So I am not saying I dont know what position to put it in. What I am saying is I dont know exactly how to position the float back in there. And whatever the other *thing* is called that goes down into the fuel tank from the sending unit. It seems like they should go back in there, in a specific fashion. Otherwise they seem to get tangled up into each other. And that wouldnt be a good thing. Its hard to explain what I am trying to say...

Oh well....I am planning on draining the tank and taking it to my cousin to work on it. Steam it, clean it, and whatever other steps we feel is needed.

If there is only sediment floating around the tank, maybe I will get lucky and can just have him clean it out (like steam it and boil it). And then for the next few seasons just see how it looks after that. If I dont see much in the tank after a season or two, and the fuel filter is OK, then I wont worry about donig everything to it. Its complicated....

So now I have to really study over how to get that fuel tank out of there. The hoses are what scare me the most. I cant see exactly where all of them go to. I am sure I can do this, but with great hesitation

And I will be sure to drain all fuel out first before doing anything else to the tank. There isnt that much in there now, since I have been idling car, and doing compression tests, leak down tests, fuel pressure tests, stereo tests...etc

After I get tank back, then the fun really begins.

And I suppose if I actually succeed in taking it off and putting it back on, then if I needed to inspect it each year, to see if any rust is coming back.....it will be a heck of a lot easier

Edited February 17, 2011 by argniest

[jimslaton]

Gentlemen, thank you so much for this information. I'm going to find it useful. My 78 has been sitting for about a year with, now, really bad gas. I figured, what the hell, I'd just siphon off the crap in the tank with a hose before starting, so as not to get too much varnish in the system. Imagine my surprise, after sliding a length of hose into the tank, plugging with finger, and then pulling back to start siphon....to find that the hose had looped around the float internally, and my pulling back has served to simply tighten the knot. I'll be dropping the tank. Probably next week, as right now I'm laughing so hard I fear I just might drop a freaking wrench on my toe!

Of all the dorky things to have happen ......

[FastWoman]

Wow, I've never heard of that playing out! I'll never slip a hose in a gas tank again!

Why not just pull the sending unit out to clear your tangle? It's a lot easier than dropping the tank.

FAIW, the easiest way to drain your tank is to remove the plug at the bottom.

[FastWoman]

Argneist, you'll be able to see where all the hoses go after you do all your disassembly. You'll need to remove (almost?) all the plastic panels around the hatch area. That will reveal the fuel/air separator tank in the right rear quarterpanel, as well as the vent hoses that loop around the back and exit through the floor. Remove the separator tank, pulling off all the hoses. Then push the vent hoses through their respective holes in the floor of the hatch. Loosen and break loose the rubber filler neck. Remove the metal shield from the lower part of the right rear wheel well. Then unbolt the tank straps, and lower the tank down -- probably with some help from above to feed the filler neck through the hole.

You'll be able to see and replace each and every hose.

[jimslaton]

Yes, Maam ... thank you. I saw that plug. that's what I get for being so utterly lazy as to reach for the hose and gas can I had readily available rather than walk a few steps to the garage and find a socket. I have considered pulling the sender and untangling, but my other thought was, y'know, after 33 years ... tank could use a boiling out. I've had the car since it was just a wee little thing ... figure least I should do it right. Moreover, I think the universe just weighed in as to any shortcuts I might contemplate .....

[grantf]

Yes, Maam ... thank you. I saw that plug. that's what I get for being so utterly lazy as to reach for the hose and gas can I had readily available rather than walk a few steps to the garage and find a socket. I have considered pulling the sender and untangling, but my other thought was, y'know, after 33 years ... tank could use a boiling out. I've had the car since it was just a wee little thing ... figure least I should do it right. Moreover, I think the universe just weighed in as to any shortcuts I might contemplate .....

Not a bad idea but sometimes the simple solution is better. perhaps you do not need to drop the tank. my 2 cents.

[argniest]

I am so happy and still can hardly believe it, but I got the tank off last night, and took it to my cousin. I power washed it first before I dropped it off to him. He asked that I do that first. And my gosh I cannot believe how much rusty crud washed out of there. Now that I know how to remove the fuel tank, it all seems sooooooooooo easy. I cant wait to get it back. He restores cars for a living, and cleans tanks too. done it many times he said. So the tank is in good hands now. :-)

[FastWoman]

@argneist: Cool! I think you're really going about this the right way!

@jimslaton: FAIW, my '78 tank was in pretty nice shape, and I didn't do anything more to the inside than pressure wash and rinse it out. In truth, it probably didn't need even that. However, it was probably time to replace all my hoses (which I did), and I did have a pin-hole leak on one of the fittings on my fuel/air separator. So my pulling the tank wasn't for naught. Besides that, I had a chance to repaint my tank and clean up the underside of the car above the tank.

[argniest]

Well my cousin checked out the tank after I dropped it off, and he was almost positive that just the boiling would not be enough. I have a feeling it will be boiled, acid washed, and then sealed. And in the process he may have to cut it open, to deal with the screen, and also to make sure its accessible. He has a camera system too, that he can look around inside, before actually cutting it open. I will leave all that up to him. But he noticed there was actual rusty surfaces if you stuck your finger in there. So yeah, I am almost sure its going to get the full treatment!

Im actually not concerned about leaving the screen in the tank intact, but I dont want it to plug anything up either. I am buying a inline filter for between the tank and the fuel pump. Its servicable too. But I think I will ask my cousin to just split the tank open, and make sure that screen is out of there....unless by a miracle he thinks he can keep it, and clean it. Ohhhhhh well, options options... Plus if he splits it open (he has done before), he can make sure everything is truely cleaned from every nook and cranny. Before welding it shut again.

Edited February 26, 2011 by argniest