Topic: 71 spare tire change leads to gas tank, & rear frame resto
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
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For some reason, my driver's tire went flat during storage. Well, I've never taken the spare out yet, so in less than 5 minutes, I had my spare out.
Then I got to thinking...
20 minutes later I pulled out the spare tire holder/container. Saw the gas tank and I just had to do it.
I blasted the bolts with some penetrating fluid and let 'em soak overnight. Then my bro and I tore into it the next night. All together, it took only about an hour or so- and I've never done a Corvette either.
To anyone out there thinking about doing this (to check for a buildsheet/tank sticker), it's simple with two people.
Here's all you need to know:
After taking down the spare tire carrier, this is all that's needed:
Drain the fuel tank. I use this line suction tool/hose with a check valve. You just go back and forth till it starts pumping and it'll drain it in no time.
Unhook two wires in the sending unit.
Each side has three bolts ot worry about: 1 bolt for the strap and 2 for the crossmember.
Undo the strap bolts, then push the straps through the rear frame slots.
Ahead, use 9/16 sockets under the frame crossmember, and a small 9/16 socket inside the 'rail. Take out one bolt on each side, but loosen the others to where you can undo them with your fingers, with only a few threads on.
Then, clip your fuel and return lines (both sides)- hey, they're old and you're going to replace the rubber anyways.
Each person uses on forearm on the tank and the other hand unscrews the bolt, dropping the crossmember out of the way.
Only thing that got in the way was my car had a second "vent" line on the driver's side, which had a small bracket and hose.
Swivel the tank forward and drop it down. Then pull it to one side (to gain room for the driver's side) and straight out the back.
My build sheet was toast, with only a few remnants. Oh, well.
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That's good you got the tank out..sorry to hear the sticker is in bad shape..keep what of it that you can..at least you will have new hoses and a fresh gas in the tank.
Rich
Rich
My first parade at Carlisle 2010
After the tank was out, I was going to clean up it up, then reinstall it. But the frame was so dusty, dirty... just had to do that, too.
So I stated wire brushing the frame. But some of the undercoating wasn't budging. So I got out the wire whipper on my drill. With eye protection (along with a shirt covering my face) and went to town.
Took about two hours to get most of the loose undercoating, scale, and dirt off the 'rails. Funny thing is, with the tank out, you can sit almost upright- your head hits the gas filler area.
I stripped some of the bad areas with whatever i had laying around- brake cleaner & some other potent chemicals. I used a respirator, yes.
After most of the stuff evaporated- about an hour (enough time to keep working inside on my Eastwood underlayment project (see my post on that fun job)- I primered it w/ Rust-o-leum, then gloss black.
It looks good, not perfect. I stopped short of the rear end, being it was a little slimey and needed more attention... later.
I'll probably go brand new tank and straps.
Here's some shots of it before and after, with my wife snapping me through the filler door.
Its nice getting all that goop cleaned up back there and it never hurts to have some fresh paint on the frame..the guy I got my car from had the tank replaced just because..I have the original tank it still looks new inside..someday I will get the old one cleaned up and put back in..maybe a rad shop up there can just clean up the original..
Rich
Rich
My first parade at Carlisle 2010
Yes, I figured a new tank ain't a bad deal, consideing how old the orginal is. The old tank was cool, with the small tower hose clamps on the vent lines- never seen small ones before.
It had overspray from the undercoating, too. It would take a lot of work to make it look good.
Now I'll have another tank to just sit around. I already have an '87 Vette tank I can't give away (rat rodders, where are you?).
re's some after shots...
The rad shop here has I think an acid dip they do..it cleans everything off..and they re solder joints and such..I am kinda weird on original..but yeah a new tank isn't all that much..and they got good ones out there..I will have a newer tank to lay around here to..you say hot rodders ha..I will keep my eyes open for them.
Rich
Rich
My first parade at Carlisle 2010
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The pics are NOT showing. THey are waaaaaaaaay too large to display in the post. PLEASE re-size them down to somewhere around 400 x 300 pixels, and then they'll load onto the page.
I'm sure just about everyone here has been thru the "While I'm here" syndrome...truth is, it never ends!
At least you got something of a tank sheet...better than nuttin!
With this many pics, tho, it would be BEST to use links to them, instead of actually posting that many pics in one thread....
Adams' Apple 2011-02-01 11:16:17
I'm sure just about everyone here has been thru the "While I'm here" syndrome...truth is, it never ends!
At least you got something of a tank sheet...better than nuttin!With this many pics, tho, it would be BEST to use links to them, instead of actually posting that many pics in one thread....
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I am also very interested in your pictures. I may want to do something similar to my 74.
Thanks..
Thanks..
Steve, Lifetime Member #129
74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
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