C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

81 gas tank....

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 26, 2020 | 07:04 PM
  #1  
Richard Cooper's Avatar
Richard Cooper
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Default 81 gas tank....

If I remove the bolts from the tank straps can I lower the tank and let it sit on top of the mufflers? I am trying to replace the sending unit but cannot get my hands through the opening in the top to reach the hoses to disconnect them. TIA
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2020 | 08:19 PM
  #2  
MelWff's Avatar
MelWff
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,740
Likes: 2,583
Default

Have you read through this link?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-removal.html
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2020 | 07:14 AM
  #3  
Richard Cooper's Avatar
Richard Cooper
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Default

Originally Posted by MelWff
MelWff,
Yes, I have read those reply's, but I want just lower my tank a little to make it easier to replace the hoses, I cannot get my hands in the opening to reach the hose clamps. I just want to know if I remove the tank straps will be able to just drop the tank a little. Thanks for your reply. I just turned 75 and am trying to make things a little easier for me.
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2020 | 08:11 PM
  #4  
righthanddrive's Avatar
righthanddrive
Pro
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 578
Likes: 107
From: colo
Default

Is your tank empty of fuel ? Each gallon of gas weighs 6 pounds, along with the weight of the tank , so lifting it back up is as much of a concern. It might be best to ask for help from a neighbor or other family member with smaller hands
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2020 | 08:22 PM
  #5  
kanvasman's Avatar
kanvasman
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 1,728
From: Summerville SC
Default

On my 78 if you remove the screws/bolts holding the sending unit down, you can turn the unit in either direction which would make it wasier to undo the hoses. Once that's done, a quarter turn counter clockwise and the unit will come out ( wiht a little twisting). When putting it back, the screws are not symmetric so line up the gassket before you put the unit back in. All in all, that seems easier than dropping the tank. Or do as mentioned above, ask for a helping hand. I am sure some youngster would love to hear about your vette...
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2020 | 07:00 AM
  #6  
Richard Cooper's Avatar
Richard Cooper
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Default

Thank you all for the reply's. I am removing the cross member that holds the back of the tank in place so that I can lower the tank and let it rest on top of the mufflers. I need to replace the two 1/4" hoses and the one 3/8" hose that are attached to the sending unit. So, lowering the tank will allow me to reach in and get the hose clamps off.
So, thanks again. Stay safe.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2020 | 08:17 AM
  #7  
HeyMikey's Avatar
HeyMikey
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
From: Cape Cod, MA
Default

Hi Richard, just want to mention that there are usually 4 hoses...the 3 that connect to the sending unit are all easily visible through the lid and are much easier to remove if you also remove the plastic ring (held on with 4 screws) that the gas lid rests on when closed...The single vent hose on the LEFT attaches to a T fitting on the tank that vents the tank and on the other side of that T is the fourth small section of hose that attaches to the vent return line which runs along the driver's side frame rail up to the vapor tank under the master cylinder. Its standard fuel hose, so if you're like me and these haven't been touched in 40+ years, they are extremely tough and brittle and will not simply pull off, they will need to be cut or broken...once the sending unit is out, you can replace the hoses with newer more pliable ones that won't give you a headache to reattach. Good luck and have fun!



Reply
Old Sep 28, 2020 | 08:41 PM
  #8  
Richard Cooper's Avatar
Richard Cooper
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Default

Originally Posted by HeyMikey
Hi Richard, just want to mention that there are usually 4 hoses...the 3 that connect to the sending unit are all easily visible through the lid and are much easier to remove if you also remove the plastic ring (held on with 4 screws) that the gas lid rests on when closed...The single vent hose on the LEFT attaches to a T fitting on the tank that vents the tank and on the other side of that T is the fourth small section of hose that attaches to the vent return line which runs along the driver's side frame rail up to the vapor tank under the master cylinder. Its standard fuel hose, so if you're like me and these haven't been touched in 40+ years, they are extremely tough and brittle and will not simply pull off, they will need to be cut or broken...once the sending unit is out, you can replace the hoses with newer more pliable ones that won't give you a headache to reattach. Good luck and have fun!
Thank you for that info, I will change the 4th hose tomorrow.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 81 gas tank....

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:32 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE