Gas Tank Support Removal Problem
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 41
From: Toronto
Gas Tank Support Removal Problem
Trying to drop the gas tank in a 71 coupe.
Exhaust and spare tire carrier removed, strap bolts removed.
Where I am stuck is trying to remove the 2 nuts on each side of the front gas tank cross support.
The bolts are spinning with the nuts. Reaching through the small hole in the frame there doesn't seem to be much of a head on these bolts....nothing to get a wrench on, anyway.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Exhaust and spare tire carrier removed, strap bolts removed.
Where I am stuck is trying to remove the 2 nuts on each side of the front gas tank cross support.
The bolts are spinning with the nuts. Reaching through the small hole in the frame there doesn't seem to be much of a head on these bolts....nothing to get a wrench on, anyway.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 792
Trying to drop the gas tank in a 71 coupe.
Exhaust and spare tire carrier removed, strap bolts removed.
Where I am stuck is trying to remove the 2 nuts on each side of the front gas tank cross support.
The bolts are spinning with the nuts. Reaching through the small hole in the frame there doesn't seem to be much of a head on these bolts....nothing to get a wrench on, anyway.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Exhaust and spare tire carrier removed, strap bolts removed.
Where I am stuck is trying to remove the 2 nuts on each side of the front gas tank cross support.
The bolts are spinning with the nuts. Reaching through the small hole in the frame there doesn't seem to be much of a head on these bolts....nothing to get a wrench on, anyway.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
They should have a head unless it was worn away. If I remember correctly they were 1/2 or 9/16 sized. Cutting maybe your best option unless you can get pliers on them.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,746
Likes: 713
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Imho,...
IMHO, if it is an original frame, there is a slot on one side or the other, think it is on the inside. If you take an offset closed box wrench, you can fit the wrench on the nut. As above, I think it is a 9/16, maybe a 1/2 though.
If the nut is frozen, you might could get a vise grip on the nut or bolt head and/or just break the bolt. Brushing on acetone/red trans fluid 50/50 as a penetrant and letting it soak a few days will help.
If that did not work, it would be off to the dremel tool cutoff wheel or hacksaw for me for the bolt head or nut. Another option might be a nut splitter, if there is room for it to fit.
Hope this might help, PITA job. Good luck!
If the nut is frozen, you might could get a vise grip on the nut or bolt head and/or just break the bolt. Brushing on acetone/red trans fluid 50/50 as a penetrant and letting it soak a few days will help.
If that did not work, it would be off to the dremel tool cutoff wheel or hacksaw for me for the bolt head or nut. Another option might be a nut splitter, if there is room for it to fit.
Hope this might help, PITA job. Good luck!
Last edited by 20mercury; Jul 14, 2015 at 11:29 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 41
From: Toronto
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Got it out....used a wrench on the head through the frame, and lots of ATF/acetone.
Tanks is out and even found a part of the tank sticker, which is what we were after.
You can always count on the forum for help
Got it out....used a wrench on the head through the frame, and lots of ATF/acetone.
Tanks is out and even found a part of the tank sticker, which is what we were after.
You can always count on the forum for help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
i'm about to do this on my '72.
hope mine goes as easy as your went
only dropping mine to replace the welded/bogged leaking tank.
then clean n paint under there as well.(my piece of mind that it's done)
will also replace the wellnuts on the luggage rack that keek spinning n not undoing.
tank had been out by previous owner to weld whilst still over there, so dont think there be any sticker left.
hope mine goes as easy as your went
only dropping mine to replace the welded/bogged leaking tank.
then clean n paint under there as well.(my piece of mind that it's done)
will also replace the wellnuts on the luggage rack that keek spinning n not undoing.
tank had been out by previous owner to weld whilst still over there, so dont think there be any sticker left.
Last edited by riverracer au; Jul 14, 2015 at 10:41 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,746
Likes: 713
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Congratulations on finding a tank sticker
Congratulations on success and finding a tank sticker!
BTW, my experience was after I removed my 68 tank, did not mess with the seal, put it back in and must have unknowingly disturbed the seal and so it leaked.
Dang so had to replace the seal, it is so much easier to replace the seal with the tank out. And after playing around with tapping the seal lock ring out, finally decide to buy the tool for that job for 10 or 12$ which makes the job so much easier. So, suggest you replace the seal and buy the tool while you have the tank out.
Hope this might help.
BTW, my experience was after I removed my 68 tank, did not mess with the seal, put it back in and must have unknowingly disturbed the seal and so it leaked.
Dang so had to replace the seal, it is so much easier to replace the seal with the tank out. And after playing around with tapping the seal lock ring out, finally decide to buy the tool for that job for 10 or 12$ which makes the job so much easier. So, suggest you replace the seal and buy the tool while you have the tank out.
Hope this might help.
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