Fuel tank terror
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 21
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From: North Carolina
Fuel tank terror
Hey, family so i finally solved the problem with my 82 vette not starting. The previous owner had installed a push button in the the ash tray that looks like a cig lighter, he said he did that so it won't be easily stolen. Go figure, but to make a long story short one of wires came loose under the car and I finally found it after one whole week with my test light, pull in the starter, and having it checked. So the car will turn over but no crank. Fuel pump dead, can't get the cross member bolts out to drop the tank, the whole bolt and nut is turning. Have anyone else had this problem?
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Hey, family so i finally solved the problem with my 82 vette not starting. The previous owner had installed a push button in the the ash tray that looks like a cig lighter, he said he did that so it won't be easily stolen. Go figure, but to make a long story short one of wires came loose under the car and I finally found it after one whole week with my test light, pull in the starter, and having it checked. So the car will turn over but no crank. Fuel pump dead, can't get the cross member bolts out to drop the tank, the whole bolt and nut is turning. Have anyone else had this problem?
2. Welder's "Blanket" shielding tank from sparks.
3. Jack stands under crossmember to hold tank in place.
4. Grind heads off spinning bolts.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Chapel Hill NC
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Why are you dropping the tank? How have you determined your fuel pump is dead? You can get at the fuel pump thru the gas cap.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 21
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From: North Carolina
I poured gas in efi and it started but no injection. It dont look like Fuel pump assembly will pass by opening 
. Will it? Have you tried it before? Plus i kinda wanted to get old fuel out.
. Will it? Have you tried it before? Plus i kinda wanted to get old fuel out.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 21
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From: North Carolina
probably can do without dropping tank all the way but the tank cross member bolt and nut turning together and can't get to the other side it's in the frame.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Temple Terrace Florida
Before you go through all the trouble of removing the pump, check to see if the wiring to the pump is good. Check that you have 12 volts to the pump with the ignition switch in the run position. Also check to see if the ground wire is also good. The PO may have wired the switch through the anti-theft switch he made. Jerry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Chapel Hill NC
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After you check the wiring as mentioned above if you need to get the pump out there are instructions in the stickies on the C3 Tech forum. Id siphon the gas out of the tank. I recently replaced my fuel pump on my 82. Little tricky getting it out, and in, but doable. I also recently dropped my gas tank on my 71 which was more difficult than the pump job.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: FL
The nuts for the gas tank crossmember are not welded in place to allow adjustment. Just go in via the acces hole on the side of the cross member with a 9/16" open ended and everything unbolts.
Trick: Replace one bolt on each side with a long bolt (3" is what I use) with the nut finger tight. You can then ease the tank down and out slowly and makes life easier getting it back into place as well. When in place, just put the stock bolts back in place.
Trick: Replace one bolt on each side with a long bolt (3" is what I use) with the nut finger tight. You can then ease the tank down and out slowly and makes life easier getting it back into place as well. When in place, just put the stock bolts back in place.
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The ECM runs the fuel pump for 10-15 seconds to prime the system, then when cranking there is an oil pressure switch that trips a relay to power the fuel pump. That same system keeps power to the fuel pump as long as the ECM "sees" distributor pulses thru the fuel pump relay
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 21
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From: North Carolina
Thanks guys finally got the bolts out of the fuel tank cross member. I had to cut them out bc the hole thing was rusted and turning, so I will replace with new bolts, nuts and washers. Smh I couldn't get a tool inside that oval shaped hole behind the tire.
I think I'm going to get me a set of short stubby wrenches to use going back in. Ok thanks
I think I'm going to get me a set of short stubby wrenches to use going back in. Ok thanks
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Thanks guys finally got the bolts out of the fuel tank cross member. I had to cut them out bc the hole thing was rusted and turning, so I will replace with new bolts, nuts and washers. Smh I couldn't get a tool inside that oval shaped hole behind the tire. I think I'm going to get me a set of short stubby wrenches to use going back in. Ok thanks
I think I'm going to get me a set of short stubby wrenches to use going back in. Ok thanks
