I would like to know from anyone what are some details I may need to know about removing the fuel tank from my 69 Skylark GS. o No: I need to know if there are some specific parts I should have to replace before I drop the tank and if there are any special tips anyone can pass on to me to make this a bit more streemline. :beer Thanks alot!! Scott (ALOHA!):grin: :bglasses:
In a nutshell: 1) Drive the car until it's out of gas, and/or siphon as much out as you can. 2) Jack up car, support on jackstands. 3) Remove ground wire to sending unit, I think it's a sheet metal screw with a 1/4" head. Put the wire where it won't get snagged on the way out. 4) If you can reach the hose on the pickup, remove that now. Should just be a hose clamp. 5) Look for obstructions for removal- vent hoses that might get snagged, exhaust pipes that might get in the way, etc. 6) Remove the gas cap. That will help the tank fall out. (Be aware that there is a wire to the sending unit, it comes from the harness near the taillights- as you drop the tank you will have to unplug it.) 7) Drop it- Loosen the straps by removing the long bolts (1/2" or 9/16" socket will do the trick, I forget which one). Support the tank as you drop it, maybe with a tranny jack or a floor jack or with your friend Joe. It won't be absurdly heavy, I supported it by myself, you can probably do that to (as long as you got enough gas out). 7.5) If you couldn't reach the hose(s) on the sending unit (step 4), do that now while you are dropping the tank. Pretty sure that's about it- if I forget to tell you something, it will be obvious when you drop the tank. This job is rated "easy" by the Lowe's do-it-yourself project rating category, as long as you got enough gas out!!! The tank only weighs about 25 pounds when empty, so you should be able to remove it and reinstall it pretty easily. -Bob Cunningham bobc@gnttype.org
I suggest you have some new anti chafe material on handfor the tank and perhaps the straps. Can be purchased from OPG. If you are going to clean the old tank you will need paper and paint. You will need paint for the straps and tank if a new one is used. If you but a new one it is cheaper in the long run to get one with a neck. It is a good time to replace the sending unit and its gasket. Can be bought from OPG,YO etc.
