fuel sock replacement
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
fuel sock replacement
Hello,
I have a 1973 with some fuel delivery issues. I am going to replace the fuel pump, but want to check and/or replace the fuel sock in the gas tank at the same time.
I searched the CF archives and did not find a thread on replacing the fuel sock. My question is do I need to drop the tank to do this, or can I reach into the tank through the opening, and pull this out from the opening.
I will drain the gas into a 5 gallon can, but am hesitant about dropping the tank.
Question: how do you replace the fuel sock?
Thanks
kdf
I have a 1973 with some fuel delivery issues. I am going to replace the fuel pump, but want to check and/or replace the fuel sock in the gas tank at the same time.
I searched the CF archives and did not find a thread on replacing the fuel sock. My question is do I need to drop the tank to do this, or can I reach into the tank through the opening, and pull this out from the opening.
I will drain the gas into a 5 gallon can, but am hesitant about dropping the tank.
Question: how do you replace the fuel sock?
Thanks
kdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,363
Likes: 429
From: Seattle Area WA
The fuel strainer is attached to the pickup/sending unit in the tank. I don't think you can change this unless you drop the tank which isn't a big deal. The sock is just a slip fit onto the pickup tube with a metal washer which prevents it from backing off. If you are unsure, get a repair manual and read it over.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Once the lock ring is removed, the entire sending unit including sock slips out the bottom with just a large O-Ring as a seal. Just be ready for that last pint of gas when it drops out!The sock has reverse "teeth" on it that slide on the pickup tube easily, but grip like the dickens if you try to slide it off. I just clip it away using diagonal cutters if they won't come off. Tube is good to go, just slip the new one on. Replace the sending unit after lubing the O-Ring well with some grease.
Good luck... GUSTO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
Once the lock ring is removed, the entire sending unit including sock slips out the bottom with just a large O-Ring as a seal. Just be ready for that last pint of gas when it drops out!The sock has reverse "teeth" on it that slide on the pickup tube easily, but grip like the dickens if you try to slide it off. I just clip it away using diagonal cutters if they won't come off. Tube is good to go, just slip the new one on. Replace the sending unit after lubing the O-Ring well with some grease.
Good luck... GUSTO
What he said...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,363
Likes: 429
From: Seattle Area WA
Sorry for the bad post, I didn't realize that your '73 dropped out from the bottom. I just did this job on a '76 and it comes out from the top.
I see know that this change occured in 1975. My midyear drops from the bottom which is simialr to your configuration in which case the tank remains in place.
I see know that this change occured in 1975. My midyear drops from the bottom which is simialr to your configuration in which case the tank remains in place.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Thanks for the help and tips. With a flashlight I might be able to look down into the gas tank and see if the sock is still there. I am going to replace the fuel pump first to see if that helps the problem. If not, then I will drain the tank, and remove the unit from the bottom.
thanks again for the tips.
kdf
thanks again for the tips.
kdf
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
I just got done redoing the fuel system on my '74 and came to that same spot. I didn't want to have to buy a new sending unit since this one was fine, but I needed to replace the sock and clean the unit out. Mine wasn't replaceable (from what I saw at least) so I just left the end open in the tank (since it was a new tank) and put a see-through fuel filter just after the sending unit outside of the tank with another one up closer to the carb. Don't know if you've already done the swap or not, but this might be an option for you.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
I would think if your hand was small enough you might just reach in and change it on a 68-74? If not, you can just pull the sender. Replace the o-ring while it is out, they don't reseal perfectly sometimes with the old o-ring.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,839
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
When I did it on my 75, I just removed the sock. I had a Russel filter that I could disassemble and clean. I could not believe the crap that it filtered out the first 2 weeks after removing the sock. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 915
Likes: 2
From: Lima, OH -- 69 L71 427/435hp
First time I have seen your avatar, thats funny.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 6
Sorry for the bad post, I didn't realize that your '73 dropped out from the bottom. I just did this job on a '76 and it comes out from the top.
I see know that this change occured in 1975. My midyear drops from the bottom which is simialr to your configuration in which case the tank remains in place.
I see know that this change occured in 1975. My midyear drops from the bottom which is simialr to your configuration in which case the tank remains in place.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
There was a Chevrolet Service Bulletin on the 1976 Corvette where the fuel pick-up tube was too long and was restricting the flow of fuel. Also in that bulletin was a tip on inserting a spring inside the fuel sock to keep the sock from collapsing and restricting fuel flow.
This is the service information as reprinted in the March 2010 issue of Vette Vues Magazine.
For you people with 1975-76 Corvettes shortening the pick-up pipe so that its overall length is between 10 5/16 and 10 3/8 inches may solve your high rpm problems. For the others, the "spring in the sock" is probably a pretty good idea.
Jim
This is the service information as reprinted in the March 2010 issue of Vette Vues Magazine.
For you people with 1975-76 Corvettes shortening the pick-up pipe so that its overall length is between 10 5/16 and 10 3/8 inches may solve your high rpm problems. For the others, the "spring in the sock" is probably a pretty good idea.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Jul 3, 2011 at 09:00 AM.
