My fuel pump started whining the other day and the car ended up stalling. After about five minutes, I started it again and got it home.

Anyway, I ordered a new one, so in the mean time I took it all apart.

The last time I was in there replacing things, I did notice that the previous owner had snapped 4 bolts. and he had it all caulked up under the plate of the then existing sending unit. It was kind of a mess, really. A cleaned it up as best I could at the time and installed a new sending unit and pump and all of that, but after removing the sending unit again to get ready for this new fuel pump I figure I at least want to try to patch it up and let it cure with something before reinstalling the sending unit.

I'm not gonna bother with trying to get those bolts out. Reason being is that I know I'm going to have to replace the fuel tank anyway. The fact of the matter is that I really just don't feel like doing it this season. Maybe over the coming winter I'll do that.

So, here's what I have going on....you can see where the four broken bolts are. I'm just gonna cover over them with something.

But my question is does anyone know what would be good to rebuild that entire surrounding surface temporarily. But smoothly. Should I chip away the rest of that rust? I did order an extra gasket. Which don't yet know how I'm going to incorporate it ito the temporary patch.

 

Fix it right the first time. Don't monkey around with half *** fixes when dealing with fuel. You can do the tank swap in a day easily. Before you do, check your nuts for the fuel tank strap to make sure they are not seized and have the replacements on hand if necessary when you do the swap.

 

Yeah. You're right, of course. But son of a btch, it figures it'd be something like that going on in the first month of spring.

I guess that's what I needed to hear, though. Thanks for chiming in about it.

I'll flip through the manual and see what's what with it.

 

Quick and dirty

1) Siphon any remaining fuel
2) drop exhaust
3) Drop spare tire
4) Remove rear bumper
5) Support fuel tank and rear impact bar
6) Undo bolts on both side
7) Drop tank

 

Chumpvette is absolutely correct. It's the best way. I actually deleted the reply. It can be done, but replacing the tank isn't too difficult. In the past (not on a C4 gas tank, but similar) Ive done some temp repairs that were similar by using a thicker neoprene or cork gasket and RTV. I have some neoprene here that's almost 3/16" thick. something like that used with RTV would most likely conform to the uneven surface you have and work in a pinch, but replacing the tank is always the best method. Then you're done for good.

 

I deleted mine, too. No sense in encouraging it, I suppose. Like you said, though, it would get you by in a pinch, if you know what you're doing.

 

Yeah,, that's what I was thinking as well. Many can do a temp repair on many items with no issues, but not everyone is capable - so not really worth the risk having it "out there"...

 

I think taking the bumper off is why I didn't feel like doing it right away. I've never had that one off. I used to get properly annoyed with having to take off the front bumper, but now I can take it off in under a half hour. The exhaust is new, so it should pull off easily. Was gonna ditch the spare tire carrier anyway.

Thanks for that. At least it doesn't sound too bad.

 

Dang. It's almost $700 for a replacement. At least you get some stainless bolts. lol.

I tell ya. Do we have an expensive habit around here or what.

 

https://www.zip-corvette.com/84-96-gas-tank.html

 

I forgot to check Zip, thanks for that. I'll order one while I have it on my screen. I'll take $239 over $658.

Gonna grab new straps while I'm there.

 

I've had good luck with ZIP with other items.

 

Yeah. Me, too. Plus them being in Virginia, I usually get the product in a day or two. I just forgot to check them.

I've been buying so many little odds and ends things from Rock lately, that I defaulted to checking them first. In fact, I think I might take a break from Rock. They're shipping my stuff from all over the place anymore and the shipping times and costs have been terrible. Especially anything that ships from their Texas supplier.

 

Yeah, same here. I'll order a few things from Rock every now and again, but.... (I'm not sure if they are still doing this), a few months back I was ordering a few things for a few different cars with them. As I put things into the cart I noticed that they were shipping from 3-4 locations. So some of the oil filters for example, I could have bought Wix or other brands I normally do and I noticed the other ones were shipping from "B" warehouse. I switch the oil filters . . . and I notice that the 2 items remaining in the cart "Switched shipping locations" from "B" to the "C" warehouse as soon as I added items shipping from the same warehouse to the cart. It's like they purposely switch shipping locations to up-charge. I'm not the only one who has / had noticed that.

 

Be aware that the spare is an integral part of the rear impact absorption design.

 

IF the items are right and you don't need warranty, it's pretty straightforward. If that doesn't work, well, it gets more complicated and longer wait. I pretty much assume that I will lose my warranty and have to be willing to toss it out if it is wrong. So if the sum is too large, I buy from elsewhere. If it is non mission critical and I don't care about warranty, I'm ok with them.

 

It's also an integral part of the "change tire on roadside so you don't wait for hours for the tow truck" design.

 

So they say. I don't think it'd make much of a difference myself.

I do appreciate the thought on it, though. It might help, depending on the circumstance. It's certainly debatable.

 

Anyway, the exhaust is off. Tire carrier is gone. Pigtails are all disconnected from the lights and the bumper is ready to come off. Nuts are soaking.

I'm no gonna mess with that today, though. Tank isn't gonna ship until Monday anyway. I'll probably get it around Wednesday or Thursday.

That'll give me time to drop the rest and get the frame cleaned up and painted. The frame looks pretty good, though.

 

The spring rain has really been making this a slow going thing.