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replacing fuel tank
https://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14232		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  cudakrazy [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 5:12 pm ]
Post subject:  replacing fuel tank
My /6 is a '76 Plymouth Scamp project car. It was my daily driver for 2 yrs but has been sitting for the past 3 yrs. When I came to own the car, I hadn't realized the fuel tank leaked if I filled her up. I have purchased a aftermarket 16 gal fuel tank + sending unit. I have done some engine work in the past, but never have changed a fuel tank. Can anyone give me some tips so I don't blow myself to smithereens.
Author:  Dennis Weaver [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 5:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
...make sure tank is near-empty before starting work. Oh, yeah, no fumar, por favor. :idea: :lol:

D/W
Author:  Pierre [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 7:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
If you are putting a new tank in, then just poke a hole in the bottom of yours to drain it (you need some gas for your lawnmower, right?) Thats the quickest and most fun way. Who doesn't like being on their backs under the car takin in some wiffs of gasoline?
Author:  Dennis Weaver [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 7:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
...just poke a hole in the bottom of yours to drain it
YeOOOOW!!! I hope he doesn't make a spark when he does that! :shock:

Call the fire department before you do that to give them a head start! :lol:

D/W
Author:  Pierre [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 7:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poke as in phillips screwdriver and hammer, not drill or diegrinder :P Either way have a fire extinguisher or some wet rags around. I always carry a fire extinguisher in my car now, esp. with the high pressure efi pump.
Author:  relic-lover [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 8:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Use natural light
Also NO drop light - If a drop of room temperature gas gets on the
glass bulb it will shatter and the bulb element has a good possibility
of igniting the gas. So use good natural light and good natural
ventilation.

I loosen the strap bolt some and then get the sender wire and
fuel hoses off. Then hold the tank up - loosen the strap bolt
some more, remove the strap, then lower the tank. If the tank
is empty this is manageable - if there is still fuel in the tank,
a jack or helper may be needed to keep from dropping the tank.
Author:  Mguesto [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 8:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
To add to Relic Lovers post about the drop light. Do this type work in a well ventilated and naturally lit area. Outdoors in your driveway will work fine.

You don't mention in your post how you intend to do this. I bought everything new.

Gas tank (Gastanks.com) with strap and "J" hook.
Rubber gasket from the filler tube to the trunk floor.
Rubber gasket for the top of the tank for the filler tube.
gas gauge Pickup filter
rubber material for sound deadening(?) for between the trunk floor and the tank.
New rubber gas line, and clamps.

I jacked up my 67 dart onto jack stands just high enough to get my floor jack under the tank so I can lower it and get it from underneath the car

You will have to take out the screws under the gas cap to pull out the filler tube. It is rough to do so have some spray lube on hand to help out. Watch out for paint falling into the tube.

I put a piece of plywood on my floor jack and used it to support the tank
while I undid the tank strap on my 67. As I let down my almost empty tank, it slid down the plywood. I used the plywood to drag the tank from under the car and onto the grass. I then emptied the little bit I still had into a container and used it to burn some rubbish. What you find laying in the bottom of the tank you might not want to use anywhere else.

Be careful when you take the fuel lines apart at the tank inlet. There is a short piece of rubber gas line at the tank. Try to preserve the ground strap that is between the tank and the metal line. If it is questionable
or rusty looking, replace it. Use new clamps on the hose when you put it back up.

Once you start to get the new tank ready, please be sure to put in a new strainer onto the pickup. Your model should be still available. If not there is a post somewhere in here that tells you which Ford pickup truck filter will work.

Inspect the "J" hook that holds the strap to the frame. Stripped or stretched treads make me a little nervous when you want to tighten it back up again.

Your car will have a small rubber looking mat that is between the tank and the trunk floor. Mine was nasty looking so I replaced it.

If your gas gauge is off, this is the time to remedy it. My gauge was off, and I am sorry I did not get someone to look at this at that time I did my tank.

The entire job took me about 3 hours and that was by myself on my back on driveway. I was in no hurry doing this.

Good luck, it isn't as hard as you might think. the tank is very light and manageable when it is empty.

Matt
Author:  Tim Keith [ Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
I got a syphon pump for about $5 at Wal-Mart. I wonder whether sales of these have increased with higher gas prices.
Author:  Lars [ Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
I used a Carter electric pump to pump out as much fuel as I could before I even put a wrench to the car. Its pretty straight forward once you get underneath there. Do loosen and remove the filler tube before you mess with the tank, it'll make removal a LOT easier.
Author:  slantvaliant [ Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:31 am ]
Post subject: 
I've heard that you can use tar paper (for roofing) for the mat between the tank and the floorpan.
I would think long and hard before poking holes in the old tank - it might be a salvageable spare. But then, I'm a packrat.
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