Gas Tank Install ... holy straps!

[m3x1c0]

Guys. How in the world do you get the stupid straps back on the gas tank? Just replaced my pumps and it went well up to this point. Got the car jacked up on one side. Have the tank pushed against the trunk floor with my jack and a board. Attached the bolt mounting the strap to the bumper side, but the bolt toward the axle is almost a foot away! If I really muscle it I can get it within an inch but nothing more!

 

[GNRick]

Yeah it's a pita. You have to get the metal straps lined up just right to follow the contour of the tank. You can do it!

 

[Justa_v6]

I got the bolt for the straps and went to the hardware store and matched it up got a longer version of the same bolt and It was easier bolt the strap down the longer bolt.

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[GNRick]

I think that should work. Always more than one way to skin a cat. You should see how i installed a couple body bushings where the frame rusted out. No welding required

 

[m3x1c0]

I think that should work. Always more than one way to skin a cat. You should see how i installed a couple body bushings where the frame rusted out. No welding required

I believe they call it "hot rod ingenuity!"

Got one on, having a beer and then Gonna give the other side another shot.

 

[GNRick]

Yeah, installed rear springs today. Had to push down the axle to slip the springs in/out.

 

[m3x1c0]

Yeah, installed rear springs today. Had to push down the axle to slip the springs in/out.

That is incredible!

 

[m3x1c0]

Wow that was difficult. Not sure if its right but I put the spacer between the body and the strap this time. Im pretty sure it was between the strap and screw head to begin with but Im so tired I just wanted it to work and it did!



For future reference for me and anyone else whos struggling with this, the main thing holding me back was that the straps weren't perfectly straight. Be sure they form a straight line from the axle nuts to the rear bumper area. Then stick a long screw driver on the flat ridge of the strap near the bumper and eventually it will line up the eyelet with the bolt.



started at five pm and just finished. 1 hour to drop the tank and put in the new pumps. 7 hours to curse in every language you know and get the tank back up!

 

[87geeinn]

Yeah, installed rear springs today. Had to push down the axle to slip the springs in/out.

I'm pretty sure that if you just unbolted the shocks, you could have slowly lowered the rear end and the springs will come right out.

 

[twodafloor]

It's been my experience the real issue is getting the tank seated into the body fully and right. Usually a less than perfect jack is a big part of the issue. I feel your pain, Xavier!


















1

 

[earlbrown]

I don't understand the problem. One knee on the tank and a cordless drill with a 15mm chucked up.... It goes right back in place.

 

[GNRick]

I'm pretty sure that if you just unbolted the shocks, you could have slowly lowered the rear end and the springs will come right out.

Nothing is ever that easy on my car. Now where did I put that pinion snubber? Car bottoms out with a passenger. Maybe that should be another thread.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

Nothing is ever that easy on my car. Now where did I put that pinion snubber? Car bottoms out with a passenger. Maybe that should be another thread.

I've heard that a pinion snubber is a band aid for a poor suspension. Also talked to a guy in a T type that put some nice tires on his car and hit the throttle too hard. Squatted the rear end back soo hard onto the snubber it broke his rear windshield. Screw that. No more snubbers for me lol.

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

Wow that was difficult. Not sure if its right but I put the spacer between the body and the strap this time. Im pretty sure it was between the strap and screw head to begin with but Im so tired I just wanted it to work and it did!

View attachment 236494

For future reference for me and anyone else whos struggling with this, the main thing holding me back was that the straps weren't perfectly straight. Be sure they form a straight line from the axle nuts to the rear bumper area. Then stick a long screw driver on the flat ridge of the strap near the bumper and eventually it will line up the eyelet with the bolt.

View attachment 236493

started at five pm and just finished. 1 hour to drop the tank and put in the new pumps. 7 hours to curse in every language you know and get the tank back up!

The spacer between the strap and the body mount is correct . I dropped the tank exactly once, and it was the same as you ran into. Just couldn't get the straps positioned well enough to get the front bolts started. So, used a longer bolt to hold one strap in place, then...

Pushed and shoved and moved the tank around while pushing and moving the straps. Eventually the tank settled into the body and the straps moved closer to the body mount points. At that time I was able to start the correct bolts & spacers and tighten it up.

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[BARRACUDA1968]

I have a special tool I use to install gas tanks. I used it on my Trans Am in the picture. I'll give you a hint. It blue and made of steel.

 

[davelostmissing]

Yeah, installed rear springs today. Had to push down the axle to slip the springs in/out.

Hmm... how's the brake cable over the diff?

 

[SCOOBY DOO]

Two words. Air gun.

 

[GNRick]

Hmm... how's the brake cable over the diff?

Do you think I could have broken something?

 

[GNRick]

I've heard that a pinion snubber is a band aid for a poor suspension. Also talked to a guy in a T type that put some nice tires on his car and hit the throttle too hard. Squatted the rear end back soo hard onto the snubber it broke his rear windshield. Screw that. No more snubbers for me lol.

I know there are a ton of threads on the snubber and why it doesn't let the car squat for launching. I have about 60 lbs of stereo equipment in the trunk and with a passenger something hits in the back when going over small bumps or dips in the road. It's a very annoying noise but I can't find any evidence of rubbing. Okay back to the gas tank install.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

Remove the useless stereo equipment. J/k. At any rate, what springs and shocks are you running?