Fuel tank Mountings
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
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From: Surrey
Fuel tank Mountings
It's dark when I'm working on the car so sorry if this turns out to be a dumb question :)
I've removed the spare wheel carrier & there is a support (for the fuel tank) going across the car. Attached to this support is the plastic "lid" for the spare wheel. If I remove this support what is left holding the fuel tank on? Will the fuel tank fall off (& land on my head :lol: ).
Apologies if this seems like a simpletons question, but I can't see a lot when underneath - apart from lots of rusty parts!
TIA
Paul
I've removed the spare wheel carrier & there is a support (for the fuel tank) going across the car. Attached to this support is the plastic "lid" for the spare wheel. If I remove this support what is left holding the fuel tank on? Will the fuel tank fall off (& land on my head :lol: ).
Apologies if this seems like a simpletons question, but I can't see a lot when underneath - apart from lots of rusty parts!
TIA
Paul
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
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Re: Fuel tank Mountings (UKPaul)
Hi Paul let see if I can remember this correctly. When you remove that cross bar you'll find out that there is pieces of sound proofing carbet holding the tank still in place. You'll have to turn and wiggle the tank same to find out the right angle how to get the tank out. Oh you didn't say if you're removing gas tank or just working on the support bar... Well hope this helps...
Cheers Jay
Cheers Jay
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,146
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From: NM
Re: Fuel tank Mountings (UKPaul)
The tank sits on that removable crossmember and on the fixed rear crossmember. If you remove the removable crossmember better have the tank supported in some fashion. Probably will not fall out but will fall downward and out of location. Also better to have the tank empty, gas is heavy. Between the crossmembers and the tank are two strips of felt tar paper, kind of like roofing paper or roofing felt.
That plastic "lid" for the spare carrier can come out without removing the crossmember, just a couple of bolts inside of the "lid" lets it loose.
tom...
[Modified by Tom73, 9:38 AM 12/3/2001]
That plastic "lid" for the spare carrier can come out without removing the crossmember, just a couple of bolts inside of the "lid" lets it loose.
tom...
[Modified by Tom73, 9:38 AM 12/3/2001]
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Re: Fuel tank Mountings (Tom73)
Tom & Jay:
Thanks for the replies. I'll support the tank before removing the crossmember.
Jay: Hi, I wasn't intending to remove the tank, but I wasn't intending to remove anything when I started, so anything could happen! I blame this forum - I keep seeing pics of the underside of clean C3's with new paint & even chrome underneath, so when I saw the oil, rust, grease & dirt under mine, I thought it was time for some powder coating & stainless steel. Hope I don't spot anymore rusty bits when I'm underneath.... ;)
:cheers:
Paul
Thanks for the replies. I'll support the tank before removing the crossmember.
Jay: Hi, I wasn't intending to remove the tank, but I wasn't intending to remove anything when I started, so anything could happen! I blame this forum - I keep seeing pics of the underside of clean C3's with new paint & even chrome underneath, so when I saw the oil, rust, grease & dirt under mine, I thought it was time for some powder coating & stainless steel. Hope I don't spot anymore rusty bits when I'm underneath.... ;)
:cheers:
Paul
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,078
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From: Northeast South Dakota
Re: Fuel tank Mountings (UKPaul)
Paul, When you remove the crossmember, be careful to have the tank supported so that it doesn't move too much, because too much movement of the tank, unless the fuel lines are disconnected, can pull on the steel lines and kink them over. If you just take the support out, the tank will tend to fall down toward the front and driver side, and this will pull on the lines that go up over the top of the tank and kink them over. This is not speculation on my part either. I'm sure this happens. :bb :D
Oh yeah, it's good advice to have the tank close to empty as well, but it's a Corvette. You don't shut them off until the tank is empty, do you???? :confused: :lol:
Oh yeah, it's good advice to have the tank close to empty as well, but it's a Corvette. You don't shut them off until the tank is empty, do you???? :confused: :lol:
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Re: Fuel tank Mountings (UKPaul)
Since you're removing the crossmember, you might as siphon all the gas out of the tank, pull it out, and replace all the rubber fuel line on top of it. More than likely, it's original will start to leak at some point, if not replaced. When it does leak, it drips on your muffler and could cause a catastrophe.
This job is a little bit of a pain in the rear, but probably worth it in the long run.
This job is a little bit of a pain in the rear, but probably worth it in the long run.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 667
Likes: 3
From: College Station TX
Re: Fuel tank Mountings (UKPaul)
I'd make real sure your tank was empty ... when I was working around mine, I supported the tank and loosened the tank support, which allowed the support to separate from the tank --- which to my suprise were rusted together in 2 or 3 places --- which caused a leak --- which cause me to get a face full of gasoline --- not something I'd recommend ... MAKE SURE THE TANK IS EMPTY
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
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From: Surrey
Re: Fuel tank Mountings (paso)
Thanks for all the help. I syphoned all the gasoline out as I've also had a facefull of it in the past (hurts like hell if it gets in your eyes). Had a go at it last night and, joy of joys, it looks like the car has rarely been driven in the rain!!! Everybody says that when selling a car, but it looks like he was telling the truth :D
Got the tank support unbolted, but those rubber straps that go around the tank are a real PITA as I can't remove the support until they are disconnected :mad The tank support has a large plastic spare tyre cover rivetted to it so I need to remove the straps at the rear to be able to get the support off. As the straps need to come off I may as well drop the tank to check the fuel pipe connections (thanks Dalannex) & paint it. This is starting to get out of control, am I glad it's the start of winter :lol:
67Heaven: I got so hacked off with those straps that I needed a smoke (at a safe distance). Having a smoke after a mouth full of petrol (syphoning) is not good - they taste foul :crazy:
Wonder what I can pull off after the fuel tank?!!
Paul
Got the tank support unbolted, but those rubber straps that go around the tank are a real PITA as I can't remove the support until they are disconnected :mad The tank support has a large plastic spare tyre cover rivetted to it so I need to remove the straps at the rear to be able to get the support off. As the straps need to come off I may as well drop the tank to check the fuel pipe connections (thanks Dalannex) & paint it. This is starting to get out of control, am I glad it's the start of winter :lol:
67Heaven: I got so hacked off with those straps that I needed a smoke (at a safe distance). Having a smoke after a mouth full of petrol (syphoning) is not good - they taste foul :crazy:
Wonder what I can pull off after the fuel tank?!!
Paul
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Fuel tank Mountings (UKPaul)
I agree with The_Dude on the rubber line issue. I have heard horror stories where people have gone on Holiday only to return to a burned down house and melted Vette. The rubber hoses can just start leaking suddenly, with no warning. The fumes find an open flame somewhere or a spark and.... done deal.
On the gas tank pads- I replaced them in both of my Vettes- The originals were not exactly the same material as asphalt roofing paper (I saved them just for reference), but when you buy the replacements from the vendors, that is what they send you- strips of roofing paper. One side has the guide lines which are used only for roofing. So don't bother ordering the "restoration" parts- just use thick roofiing paper.
On the gas tank pads- I replaced them in both of my Vettes- The originals were not exactly the same material as asphalt roofing paper (I saved them just for reference), but when you buy the replacements from the vendors, that is what they send you- strips of roofing paper. One side has the guide lines which are used only for roofing. So don't bother ordering the "restoration" parts- just use thick roofiing paper.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,146
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From: NM
Re: Fuel tank Mountings (UKPaul)
The tank support has a large plastic spare tyre cover rivetted to it so I need to remove the straps at the rear to be able to get the support off.
Are you sure it is rivetted? Not sure about the later C3s but on my 73s it is bolted on. If it is rivitted, I would suggest drilling them out to get that spare tire "lid" out of the way before tackling the crossmember.
While you are in there you may be able to retrive the tank sticker (or build sheet). Should be glued to the top of the tank or the tank shield. Be careful with those straps as the stick may be across them and it could be ripped.
Good luck.
tom...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
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From: Surrey
Re: Fuel tank Mountings (Tom73)
Tom454: Thanks for the tip. I'll get some heavy duty roofing felt when I put it all back together (wonder when that will be..... :rolleyes: )
Tom73: It's definately rivetted on with the large head type rivets. I was going to drill them out to give myself some space to get the straps off, but realised that it would make it even more difficult to put it back together once I'd rivetted the cover back onto the support.
Hopefully I'll find the original tank sticker. What do you guys do with them - glue them back on, or guard them under lock & key?
:cheers:
Tom73: It's definately rivetted on with the large head type rivets. I was going to drill them out to give myself some space to get the straps off, but realised that it would make it even more difficult to put it back together once I'd rivetted the cover back onto the support.
Hopefully I'll find the original tank sticker. What do you guys do with them - glue them back on, or guard them under lock & key?
:cheers: