fuel tank removal

[woodchip525]

hi, i have an 84 z28 and i want to drop the fuel tank. how much is involved and do i need any special tools. i need to get the old fuel out and then try to clean the tank. any suggestions? thanks

[gotmudnj]

from what i believe is you have to drop the rear first to pull the tank....why are you pulling the tank first of all?

[woodchip525]

found the car in a barn. been sitting for bout 10 yrs. figured i gotta drop the tank to get the crud out of it. might even think about a new one

[//<86TA>\\]

air tools will be very helpful, but it can be done without.

An empty tank is a LOT lighter than a stock one

Jack up the rear of the car as high as you possibly can, you will need every inch. Support the body with jackstands, support the pumpkin with the floor jack.

Disconnect the shocks, and remove the bolt that holds the brake flex line to the body so you have some extra play there.

remove the exhaust, may have to cut it off depending on how old it is.

remove the panhard and upper panhard brace

lower the axle as low as it will go, keep an eye on the brake lines and parking brake cables.

remove the plastic liner around the gas cap, remove the plastic splash guard behind the wheel in the driverside wheel well

Disconnect the wiring harness for the tank, its just above the diff, mounted to the metal behind the rear seat.

disconnect the fuel lines, the lines may have pressure in them, so have a drip pan and sopme rags handy.

unbolt the tank straps, an extra set of hand will be a good idea here, one guy hold the tank, the other unbolt it.

Remove the tank, its a tight fit, you will have to twist it around a bit to wiggle it out of there, watch you dont break the filler neck off. This is the step you will see how important it is to have the car as high as possible and the axle lowered as much as possible.

It should be out at this point, the sender/line assembly is held in with a locking ring, use a screwdriver and hammer to take it off, it spins.

I think thats about it. Expect to spend the good part of the day on the project is you have never done it before, take your time and be aware of what happening when lowering/raising parts. You dont want to break a brake line or something, or forget to detach the fuel lines.

[BonzoHansen]

found the car in a barn. been sitting for bout 10 yrs. figured i gotta drop the tank to get the crud out of it. might even think about a new one

a new one may be the best bet. one that old at the least needs to be boiled out (not sure if that is the right term) - radiator shops used to do that, but they are getting hard to find anymore.

it's not a job you really want to do more than once. Put a new fuel pump too (if equipped)

[sweetbmxrider]

you should get a can of rust penetrant. i'm sure the car has seen better days so be ready for broken bolts and the like. i'd be ready to do lines too and would suggest a new tank if its in that bad of shape.

[camaro2you]

I have a brand new tank for sale, pm if interested. It was in my 86z for a few months only had about twenty gallons of fuel through it. Since has been sealed up and stored in my garage. PM for details.

Also have a set of brand new pre bent stainless steel lines. including brake hard line from front to rear of car.