I'm working on my neighbors 91 firebird and the pump is bad. Are the third gen cars as much as a pain to change the fuel pump as the forth gen cars? I know the 93-02 cars you can cut a hole in the panel over the tank and pull the pump with the tank in the car. Is this possible with the 3rd gen cars? If so, anyone know where to cut the hole and how big?

Thanx
Re'

 

Just my 2 cents, don't hack up the car do it right. That means, pull the rear out, drop the tank, etc. I have changed my fuel pump twice this way and it really is not that bad. Yea it would be nice if it was as easy as changing an oil filter, but unfortaintly its not.

 

Removing the tank is really not that bad. Mine came out without removing the rear end. Just lower the rear till it's at the extent of the shocks and remove the exhaust system (catback) and panhard bar and its associated upper brace and heat shield. I removed my right spring for additional room, it pops out real easy at this point. As you are removing the tank you might need to GENTLY bend the filler neck, be careful here. Reverse the procedure to install the tank. If you are going to do it, do it right, buy a quality pump and don't butcher the car, take your time.

 

Thanks.

 

That '94 Z is lookin' good.

 

You can do it with the hole in the hatch method. I've done it on quite a few third gens. I do notice that some have hard line back there. I have to cut and splice to get the pump out but it can be done in under 2 hours.

-Shannon

 

If you do plan to cut through the rear floor pan then you will need to cut the 4 hard lines. Make sure to use high pressure fuel line and not one for carb hose when you re-attach the hard lines. If it was me, I would go with lowering the tank. Alot of work but better in the end.

 

Maybe you should talk to your neighbor to see what they want done to their car. Will it work (cutting through the hatch) YES is it the best route NO way.

 

What he said

 

The neighbors not sure what he wants to do. Not crazy about cutting the floor. But also dosn't want to pay the $200-250 in labor I quoted him to pull the rear and exhaust. I'll have to pull the rear for two reasons. The tank is completely full, and I don't want to damage the exhaust trying to get the pipes apart. I also don't want tot have to cut it apart and then weld it back together.

I'd really rather not do the job at all.

 

there is no need to remove teh exhaust.
all you need to get out of the way is the rear. remove one end of teh panhard, drop teh sway bar, and disconnect teh tops os the shocks. then slowly lower the rear. it will swing clear so that you can easily get ot teh tank.

good luck

later
tim

 

If you drop the rear you will still need to at least drop the muffler and exhaust pipe down enough to remove the heat shield to remove the tank. If someone told me to do it with the exhaust in place I'd think they were crazy. Working on cars like most of us do on our back it's enough of an irritation to do a job like this. Why make it any more of a frustration. I like to get anything out of my way that will present itself as an impedance to doing the job. On the other hand maybe it would be easier on a lift if you have the luxury. I did not. This car should be repaired by now anyway this thread has covered about 2 days.

 

It would be repaired if it wasn't sitting under a foot of new snow and it wasn't -10 below out.

I hate cold weather.

 

Sorry I failed to notice you were in Delaware I hate working in the cold too. We don't get much snow in GA but still I have my garage to work in when it's cold.

 

I had a garage to work in until I started parting out a 97 Z28.