anyone ever drop your tank fo ra fuel pump install? i keep hearing its hell to do. any suspension or drivetrain parts in the way? trying to find out so i can schedule it now or when i get my 12 bolt.

 

Both the exhaust and the rear axle are in the way. The other "fun part" is that the neck of the fuel tank is brazed to the tank so it's a lot of manuvering to get the neck to clear. Much easier the second time once you leearn the technique.

 

In lieu of dropping the tank you can cut an "access panel" on top of the rear deck. A couple guys in my club had this done when their sending unit went bad.

 

If you are doing it while installing a 12 bolt it wont be too bad since you are dropping the rear anyway. That is the way I did it, and I found the actual dropping of the tank to be easier than other cars I have done it on.

 

They just aired a episode on Horsepower TV this past weekend were they pulled the gas tank and installed a new pump. I don't remember the rear axle needing removal. They did pull the exhaust, and the upper and lower panhard bars and the heat shield. They then unfastened the tank straps.

 

sounds like a pain. should i get the in tank pump then or find an inline pump? if their is one comparable to the walboro 255.

 

I just burned my pump up Thursday. I Jacked my car up, and was getting ready to drop the tank. Looking at it, it looks like it would be possible to pull it out, just by getting the exhaust and the panhard bars out of the way, I also saw it is time to replace some worn bushings in my suspension. But the book says to lower the rear axle, so I don't know.
I had about 8 gallons of gas in the tank before I accepted the fact that I burned up the pump. I decided it would be easier to cut the whole in the car floor, and changing it from the top. It turns a 2 man job into a one man job, I didn't have to drop the tank, and it took 45 minutes tops. well I still have to make a cover for it.
I shouldn't have to do it again, but if I have to, it'll be so much easier, and so much quicker, since the hatch is now there. I also went with a stock replacement, since time was of the essence, so I have a spare fuel pump assembly. If I decide to upgrade, I can have half the work done before I even pop the hatch, and I'll keep the stock unit as a spare.....
But anyway, I could've dropped the exhuast, the panhard bars, and the rear axle, it would have taken me at least an hour and a half to get that far. but I wimped out, and went the easy way.
I searched this sight, and found a lot of threads with helpful links, and lots of pictures.

 

hmmm.....maybe i will have a hatch cut in. i can then cover it with a 10lb bottle of nos! thats basically what i need the pump upgraded for. wetshot.

 

The "access panel mod" works great, saves a lot of time/effort doesn't it? Just have to be sure you have an air/fuel proof seal when you fabricate a cover - don't want any exhaust leaking into the car, or fuel (heaven forbid) in case of a roll over.