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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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...

 

The trap door method works like dream, unless you got time to kill and wanna drop the rear.

 

could someone post pics of this on a VERT?

 

....how deep can you cut? it looks like if you go too far you risk cutting the fuel lines..

 

That's correct you should only go 1/2" at most. What are you going to use to make the cut? I just used a dremel tool with a small cut off wheel. That was really easy to control.

 

Thanks Ragtop95. I was just getting ready to do the trap door to my 95 convertible, but was not sure If I could get the whole unit out of tank. Did not look like enough room. But thanks to you, I can go ahead.
What brand pump did you use? do the Walbrofuel pumps work?
I guess once you get the door put in, not much work to change pump again
if it fails..
What section of forum do the guys use for pump discussion?

Thanks again so much
Frank

 

JFR Would you be able to post some pics of your Vert Job?

 

This forum"Fuel and Ignition".