Fuel tank installation question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
Fuel tank installation question
I just replaced the fuel tank in my '72 LT-1. The rear rounded part of the tank rests on the edge of the rear "shelf", with the new anti-squeek pad in between. Is this correct? I didn't think that the welded edge of the tank should rest on this shelf and bear all of that weight.
The other issue is that my gas cap is not centered in the gas cap lid opening. Its more towards the rear of the car with the bottom of the cap even with the fuel door opening. Any suggestions?
The front brace and new pad are under the front part of the tank with some overhang. And I re-used the original tank straps since they are in excellent condition and shaped to fit around the tank. Everything is very tight, especially once I tighten the strap bolts. Even when I loosen everything up, there is really no adjustment to shift the tank. The replacement tank is identical to the original one that I removed and made for a '72 LT-1.
The other issue is that my gas cap is not centered in the gas cap lid opening. Its more towards the rear of the car with the bottom of the cap even with the fuel door opening. Any suggestions?
The front brace and new pad are under the front part of the tank with some overhang. And I re-used the original tank straps since they are in excellent condition and shaped to fit around the tank. Everything is very tight, especially once I tighten the strap bolts. Even when I loosen everything up, there is really no adjustment to shift the tank. The replacement tank is identical to the original one that I removed and made for a '72 LT-1.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I've wondered about this myself. I have a '73 that has the exact setup with the gas cap rearward of the opening. I bought the car that way that had a frame off rebuild. My tank rests as the OP describes and is tight in place. I was wondering if it was the wrong tank or if there was more than one tank available for the vehicle that year.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
Where is YOUR gas cap?
Great pics! 
Maybe if I use a circular saw on the rear deck and install a pair of hinges near the back window I can make it real easy to get to! 
I have some pics of the new tank as well as the old and new tank installed. Its obvious that the new tank is overhanging that support too much and that the rear edge is resting on the back shelf. That must be why my lead to the fuel sending unit is so tight now also. I've got to get back under there, remove the straps and shove that tank back up and to the rear more. That should center the fuel cap in the opening.
http://s346.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=IMG00257.jpg
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF2865.jpg
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/IMG00272.jpg
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/IMG00277.jpg
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/IMG00280.jpg
Maybe if I use a circular saw on the rear deck and install a pair of hinges near the back window I can make it real easy to get to! I have some pics of the new tank as well as the old and new tank installed. Its obvious that the new tank is overhanging that support too much and that the rear edge is resting on the back shelf. That must be why my lead to the fuel sending unit is so tight now also. I've got to get back under there, remove the straps and shove that tank back up and to the rear more. That should center the fuel cap in the opening.
http://s346.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=IMG00257.jpg
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF2865.jpg
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/IMG00272.jpg
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/IMG00277.jpg
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/IMG00280.jpg
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
Well it was a breeze to adjust. I simply removed the 2 strap bolts and slid the tank toward the rear a few inches. It was just difficult pulling the strap ends through the rear shelf holes to get the bolts in (as in...I punched myself in the head when the pliers slipped and put a gash in my forehead!) 
But it was worth it. I won. 
ALAN - Thanks for the clear pics posted here, and also over at NCRS discussion forum buddy. It let me know just where it should sit.
And the fuel cap opening is back where it belongs.
No more big overhang on the support beam.
And there's slack in the leads to the fuel tank meter now, since the tank is moved more to the rear, sitting on that back shelf.
But it was worth it. I won. ALAN - Thanks for the clear pics posted here, and also over at NCRS discussion forum buddy. It let me know just where it should sit. And the fuel cap opening is back where it belongs.
No more big overhang on the support beam.
And there's slack in the leads to the fuel tank meter now, since the tank is moved more to the rear, sitting on that back shelf.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
v4e or Alan 71. I am trying to put the gas tank back into my 1969. Sadly, I did not take the tank out, and the straps were lost. So, I have new straps (which are straight) and I am not sure which way to bend them to wrap around the tank, and exactly how they bolt up under the rear. Do either of you have a couple of pics like that you could post. I have been looking in the AIM, and a few corvette books I have, but I cannot find this detail. Just know which way the straps should bend would be a big help.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,214
Likes: 4,302
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Richard,
The tank installation info is in UPC 8, Sheet B1 in my 71 AIM.
The straps have a pre-formed 'hook' on the end that fits into a slot on the FOWARD lip of the tank support that's bolted to the frame. The strap goes over and down on the rear side of the tank as you can see in one of my pictures. The formed part of the strap with the nut welded to it goes through a slot in the rear frame crossmember from the rear, and a bolt comes through the frame from the bottom to catch the nut. (not easy, but doable). It's the middle bolt in v4e's picture taken from below the tank that shows the fuel sending unit.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
The tank installation info is in UPC 8, Sheet B1 in my 71 AIM.
The straps have a pre-formed 'hook' on the end that fits into a slot on the FOWARD lip of the tank support that's bolted to the frame. The strap goes over and down on the rear side of the tank as you can see in one of my pictures. The formed part of the strap with the nut welded to it goes through a slot in the rear frame crossmember from the rear, and a bolt comes through the frame from the bottom to catch the nut. (not easy, but doable). It's the middle bolt in v4e's picture taken from below the tank that shows the fuel sending unit.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Thanks. My AIM for the 69 does not give a view from the bottom, only the top. not seeing how it came apart makes it difficult. I will crawl under it tonight and see if i can find that spot. Course, I do not have the bolt, so i will have to take the strap in to the local fastenal and match one up. Thanks.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
Once you drop the spare tire carrier out of there, it's like a playhouse. You've got so much room to work and move around under there, especially with the mufflers pulled out of the way, that you may consider spending some spare "quiet" time there. 
I got new straps with the new tank, but used the old ones because they were bent around the shape of the tank already and were hooked into the support beam. But just as Alan said, make sure that the "L" shaped end with the nut on the end comes in toward you through that square hole. It just took alot of wrangling to pull those ends through the holes in order to line up the bolts. Do yourself a favor and buy longer bolts. And make sure to shove the back of that tank up on top of that rear shelf. You'll know you've got it right when your fuel tank cap is in the center of the deck opening.
I got new straps with the new tank, but used the old ones because they were bent around the shape of the tank already and were hooked into the support beam. But just as Alan said, make sure that the "L" shaped end with the nut on the end comes in toward you through that square hole. It just took alot of wrangling to pull those ends through the holes in order to line up the bolts. Do yourself a favor and buy longer bolts. And make sure to shove the back of that tank up on top of that rear shelf. You'll know you've got it right when your fuel tank cap is in the center of the deck opening.
