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Have the rear end out of my car to get all the rust off of it and repaint it, am also doing the sway bar bushings, end links and rear brakes while I'm in the general area. Considering I've gone this far, should I replace the fuel pump? To my current knowledge the car has a stock fuel pump, which is a bit scary considering the mileage (145k) and mods the car has. My point being, how hard is it to remove the tank? I've got 3/4 of a tank unfortunately still in the car, I'd likely put in a Racetronix fuel pump (Walboro 255) and body ground kit from Hawksmotorsports. Any personal experience or guides to removing the tank and replacing pump would be greatly appreciated.
You are most of the way there. I would not recommend dropping it with that much fuel. Pump
the fuel into gas cans by taking the fuel lines off the rail, then connect the fuel test port lead to the battery.
The biggest pain about the tank is the filler neck. Watch the angle of the neck closely as you drop it for how to angle it. You’ll need to take off the exhaust too.
You are most of the way there. I would not recommend dropping it with that much fuel. Pump
the fuel into gas cans by taking the fuel lines off the rail, then connect the fuel test port lead to the battery.
The biggest pain about the tank is the filler neck. Watch the angle of the neck closely as you drop it for how to angle it. You’ll need to take off the exhaust too.
Yes I definitely agree on the gas, that seems to be a pretty common method of getting it out. Yea I've seen on other posts most problems arise with the long neck and the angle to remove it. Thank you for the info
When I needed a new fuel pump, the mechanic offered to cut an access hatch above the pump, rather than removing the tank. To me, that was a no-brainer choice. The inside area is carpeted there, so nobody even sees the new hatch. Now the pump can be replaced by pulling a few screws, removing the hatch, and doing the job. Far less labor involved.
Score: customer 1, ivory-tower engineers, ZERO.
For a good fuel pump (which you have now), I would not change it out at this time, and I would wait until the pump fails (if ever) before cutting the new access hatch into the bodywork.
My US$.02 worth . . .
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I just got done swapping my pump for the Racetronix recently. I cut an access hatch and I plan to put in a hinged door under the carpet for optimal access.
Once you have access to the top of the tank, Racetronix’s instructions for swapping the actual pump are excellent.
I just got done swapping my pump for the Racetronix recently. I cut an access hatch and I plan to put in a hinged door under the carpet for optimal access.
Once you have access to the top of the tank, Racetronix’s instructions for swapping the actual are excellent.
Ok cool, I'm glad the instructions happen to be very good as I've heard, I just can't get over the fact of cutting a hole for some reason, I feel as though the car is a survivor for not being chopped up yet lol
I just can't get over the fact of cutting a hole for some reason, I feel as though the car is a survivor for not being chopped up yet lol
WhiteWS6,
"Some reason" for most of us would be money. Look at the labor charge to drop the tank (and everything else) to replace the fuel pump. Even doing the labor yourself, that's a lot of work/time, compared to a hatch job.
One new fuel pump went bad on me in a month (their fault, IMHO, but at my expense). That's when an access hatch makes really good sense. We won't tell anybody, and nobody ever looks under the carpeting.
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Some cars come from the factory with an access panel for the fuel pump. As long as the job is done cleanly, with an airtight seal to keep fuel vapors out of the cabin, I look at it the same as any other upgrade to the car. You're not "chopping it up," you're making it better! And like Ray said, the end result is that if anything is wrong with your new pump or your install (which you won't find out until it's all put back together), the work involved in addressing that problem is MASSIVELY simplified.
Unless your car is extremely low miles, in perfectly stock condition, and a relatively rare combination of options, and your goal is to maximize its very-long-term value (i.e. sell it in 30 years to a collector), I've never felt like this argument really stands up to scrutiny. Your plan is to make some changes that make the car more enjoyable to own, right? If that's the case, cut the door. Just do a good job.
Some cars come from the factory with an access panel for the fuel pump. As long as the job is done cleanly, with an airtight seal to keep fuel vapors out of the cabin, I look at it the same as any other upgrade to the car. You're not "chopping it up," you're making it better! And like Ray said, the end result is that if anything is wrong with your new pump or your install (which you won't find out until it's all put back together), the work involved in addressing that problem is MASSIVELY simplified.
Unless your car is extremely low miles, in perfectly stock condition, and a relatively rare combination of options, and your goal is to maximize its very-long-term value (i.e. sell it in 30 years to a collector), I've never felt like this argument really stands up to scrutiny. Your plan is to make some changes that make the car more enjoyable to own, right? If that's the case, cut the door. Just do a good job.
Honestly you're right, I think I've come to my senses on the value of not only my time but the future value of the car. I'll just do it very cleanly when my pump gives out (Probably soon). It also seems as though I could be doing more harm than good by removing the tank after some research, seems as though most hurt the tank either on the neck or one of the lines when removing it. Thank you for your response.
