To begin, I'll provide a little backstory on my 92 auto. My dad purchased the car locally around 95 and drove it an hour back and forth to work for a good number of years. He passed it on to me and I drove it off and on for another couple of years. I think the car has about 138,000 miles on it. In 2011, I started thinking about doing some work on the car when my cousin got his dream car an '87 Grand National. We had plans to pep up both cars together. Unfortunately, he died in a freak accident while he was doing a burn out. His death hit me hard and I parked the car until I divorced in 2016. Present day, I'm very happily remarried and have two great stepsons who are 11 and 12. They are fascinated with the car and are eager for me to get it back on the road.

I have above average mechanical skills but I'm far from an expert. Luckily, I have a friend who has a lot of experience building hotrods so he will be helping me build the LT1. I'm going for mild, not wild and want a fun weekend driver. If I can occasionally hit the drag strip and run some high 12s, I'll be happy. Mechanically, the car sat outside and the gas filler drain hole was plugged allowing water to get into the gas tank. It turns over but will not crank. The car has a sizable coolant leak. It also needs brake work.I'm having AAA tow it over from my dad's house next Tuesday.

My first items were purchased today to plan for the project. A 2 volume set of GM service manuals from EBay and an outdoor car cover.

We plan to pull the engine and do a complete overhaul. I plan to add a mild cam and have the heads worked on. I'm also looking at long tube headers. My friend has an uncle who runs a shop that does rear end work so I'd like to put some gears in.

My first order of business will be to drain the old fuel from the tank and installing a new fuel pump.

 

http://elliottsportworks.com call Lloyd Elliott

Torque converter.....

 

Sounds like a fun project. Keep us posted on the progress

 

I have a 96 in process and it sat for many years. The tank on mine was full of water when I got it. I had to replace it. It's not a hard job but it is time consuming. The manual lays it all out if you end up doing it. I got a new tank for $225 shipped to my door. It fit just fine.

Show some pics when you can.

 

Thanks guys! I got the car home and pumped up the tires. The gas tank doesn't look promising from the filler neck.

 

I would pull the sending unit out, which is part of the filler neck, and replace it, mostly likely it's rusted out, with new gas pump, and screen.

Remember these sending unit don't come new gasket, there extra, and find a new boot, that ones looks like it rip when touched.

Love the color, good luck getting it back on the road.

 

Thanks! I was thinking about doing the very things you suggested and it’ll be a good place to start.

 

Sounds like a great project for you and your step-sons

I agree.

Good luck

 

Thanks guys! I gave the car its first bath that it's had in a long time yesterday. The paint is in great shape considering it's been outside for the last several years. I have a new sending unit and fuel pump ordered. Hopefully, it's not too hard to get her running again. I'll soon know of the condition of the fuel tank itself.

2/11/20 The service manuals arrived. They are in pristine condition and look like they've never been used. I'm very happy with my Ebay find.

I should be able to begin examining the car next week to address the fuel issue. With a little luck, the tank won't be too nasty and she will be running again soon.

 

Yesterday I began diving into the car. I'd spent the previous day organizing the bottom part of my tool box to set up a good roll around cart of tools. As I kind of expected, the fuel tank, pump and sending unit was badly corroded. I did a quick consult with the wife and soon ordered a new tank, strap set and some hardware. It will be a pain to pull the rear bumper and remove the old tank but well worth it in the grand scheme of things.i can also replace the rubber hose sections.

 

I haven't done a C4, but when I did other cars I would also blow the fuel lines with compressed air to get out any old crap before I tried priming it.

 

i totally agree.

 

The replacement gas tank and straps arrived over the weekend. The car is off the ground and ready for work to begin this weekend.

I am wondering if I should send the injectors off to FIC to have them cleaned?

 

I have replaced the gas tank in my 96. Once you have the tail lights out of the way its a pretty easy job. More time consuming than anything. If you have questions let me know.

 

I REALLY appreciate that! I've looked through the GM service manual and it does appear more time consuming than anything. With a little luck, I'll only have to do this once. In some sick way, I'm kind of looking forward to diving into it Saturday.

 

This is an awesome project and I'm glad you are taking the time to go through the car properly and enjoy it! As far as the injectors are concerned, I would send them out to be cleaned and flow tested. And before you install them, you can install new o-rings on them. Also be sure to replace the fuel filter. After that, you will be sure to have a nice and clean and properly sealed fuel system.

Looking forward to seeing more pictures of the car and the car's progress!!

 

The tank replacement is not that bad. Just a buch of screws and nuts to get the bumper cover off.

If you are doing it on jack stands here is a quick tip. Take a piece of plywood or something and a jack. Support the rear frame section and tank, when all bolts are out just lower it down and roll back. Then its easy for 2 people to lift clear.

Here is mine. It had a breathing problem and was crushed so I had to replace it and I did replace the fuel pump at the same time too.

 

Thanks guys! I'm looking forward to getting into it today. I like the jack method you mentioned. It's how I envisioned lowering it down as well. I'm looking forward to getting the shiny, new, tank installed. I will send off the injectors. It's a small expense. After the car is running, the real fun will begin when we pull the motor and begin some mild performance upgrades.

 

Shiny?

Found a good original but used GM tank:


Made it shiny:

 

When I did mine I didn't take the rear frame section out. I simply pulled bolts and let it lean down and rolled the tank out. So all of the stuff stayed in place.