Cutting access hole for fuel pump (convertible)

droptop z · 11-14-2006, 12:58 AM

I already ran a search and could'nt find what I was looking for, I'm wondering if anyone has any pics which they replaced there fuel pump from within the trunk via cutting an access hole.(convertible) I know alot of people say they would'nt go this route, just wondering why and if it can be done.

2QUIK6 · 11-14-2006, 01:01 PM

I did mine on my convertible by dropping the rear end, i didn't drop the rear completely out, just loosened the brake lines to let it drop far enough to get the tank out. Also have to cut the exhaust pipe to get it out of the way, so you'd need a way to weld it back up.
Really did not take that long...it would have been just as long to figure out where to cut the hole and cut it carefully and then with my luck I would have cut some lines or something

It looked like it would have been very tight to get the pump out with the hole cut in the floor way.
Some people do not like the hatch method because in the event of a rear end collision, if the gas tank is crushed, it is more likely that the top cap of the tank could pop off, and the hatch door get crinkled and gas could spew into the cabin of the car...probably highly unlikely, but a higher chance than not having the hatch there..

Here's a write up I did on doing mine:
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showt...ight=fuel+tank

CRAZ81 · 11-14-2006, 02:13 PM

Here is the websight that I used to do mine. Measurements work perfect. Mine is a T-top car so a convert may be different Trap door fuel pump install Good luck. Mine worked slick.

Ucantcme57 · 11-14-2006, 07:53 PM

Cutting a trap door is a horrible way to fix your car

It's like cutting a hole in your hood to replace the air filter, with alittle work you could do it the right way!!!

CRAZ81 · 11-15-2006, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ucantcme57

Cutting a trap door is a horrible way to fix your car

It's like cutting a hole in your hood to replace the air filter, with alittle work you could do it the right way!!!

If you are refering to the structure/strength of the car you are correct. Cutting the hole does NOT weaken the structure at all. The hole you cut is on a totally flat pannel with no body support ribs in it. It looks like GM had planned to have a trap door there but just never cut it out. All of the body support ribs go around or stop before the part that needs to be cut out. But it is nothing like cutting a hole in your hood because you cover the trap door with carpet. I know many people that have cut the trap door and they say it is a great idea. To cover the hole back up I cut a sheet of aluminum to cover the hole and sealed it with some Right Stuff.

The Big Show · 11-15-2006, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRAZ81

If you are refering to the structure/strength of the car you are correct. Cutting the hole does NOT weaken the structure at all. The hole you cut is on a totally flat pannel with no body support ribs in it. It looks like GM had planned to have a trap door there but just never cut it out. All of the body support ribs go around or stop before the part that needs to be cut out. But it is nothing like cutting a hole in your hood because you cover the trap door with carpet. I know many people that have cut the trap door and they say it is a great idea. To cover the hole back up I cut a sheet of aluminum to cover the hole and sealed it with some Right Stuff.

Exactly...I did the same thing. You can get creative and make a sealed hinge door after the hole is cut.

The only thing is I'm not so sure how you can do this on a vert. I used to have a 97 Z28 vert and I don't really remember having access to area since thats where the top comes down.

Ucantcme57 · 11-15-2006, 11:13 AM

The reason there is no ribs there is that that connections and the top of the sending unit need the room so that the tank is flush with the car.. ..

YOUR CUTTING YOUR CAR UP !!!!! ----->????

JasonK94Z · 11-16-2006, 04:18 PM

Cutting the access hole is no big deal. A lot of the japanese cars come with an access panel already there. I had a Nissan Sentra once that had the panel under one of the back seat cushions. I was glad they put forth the effort to put one there so all I had to do was remove a few bolts to get to the damn thing.

Javier97Z28 · 11-16-2006, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ucantcme57

The reason there is no ribs there is that that connections and the top of the sending unit need the room so that the tank is flush with the car.. ..

YOUR CUTTING YOUR CAR UP !!!!! ----->????

As long as you have it nicely covered up (I have a stainless steel bolt on cover on mine) who the **** cares how it's done.

As mentioned, import cars have it done.. so consider this a factory improvement.

And if you're worried about collectible status? Who the **** cares.. these cars are worthless in that regard.

I did mine "right" the first time by dropping the tank and replacing the pump. Only to find out when I assembled it that my fuel gauge wasn't reading due the floater getting stuck on something. So what did I do? I cut the damn hole in it and called it a day to fix it.

93 RED Z · 11-21-2006, 06:30 PM

I'm working on my pump problem right now and I'm sure glad I have easy access........

RagTop95 · 11-21-2006, 10:39 PM

I did the trap door on my 95 convertible last weekend. It took 15 min. to cut the hole, and there is room to pull the pump up and out.

TobyZ28 · 11-24-2006, 11:57 AM

RagTop95 can you send some pics... as many pics as your willing to post of your trap door? Pple with verts have been dying for this since its a bit "different" on our cars...