Gas tank removal

[rankinrr]

Howdy all. New member here and proud new owner of 59 Belvedere. She has been sitting for 30 years. I am trying to pull the gas tank, but the filler tube is stuck in the gas tank. Any suggestions? I don't want to mess it up. Should I spin it around, brute force and ignorance!!!! Thanks for the help.
Rob from Michigan

[Dick Koch]

Hi Rob - Welcome to the site. The filler tube has an O-ring at the end where it goes into the tank. Spray some WD40 on that area. Underneath the car you should see the filler tube where it exits the outer tube in the trunk. there should be approx. 2" exposed. If you can get a rubber strap or chain strap wrench on this area and give it some twists you should be able to work it out. Then go to the top of the tube with the cap on and twist it clockwise and pull up. Should come out. Good luck.
Dick.

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Good Advice from Dick on tank-filler tube separating, On my tank, the neck (collar area) of the gas tank came off with the filler tube due to corrorsion. Not a problem if this were to happend to you, just have the Radiator/gas tank shop re-solder it (the neck) back on the tank when you have it cleaned out and pressure tested for leaks. Or if really bad you can get a re-pop tank,

Get a new "O" Ring for the fill tube.gas tank connection, They go for around $10 or less on E Bay. Look forward to seeing some pic's of your car when you get a chance, Lubricate the "O" Ring with Vaseline.

Where in Michigan do you live?

John Q.

[rankinrr]

Thanks Dick, the tank is out and I have that wonderful odor of 30 year old gas about me. I guess I will look for someone to clean this out for me. I live south of Detroit, in Gibraltar, MI . I have the flat head six runnin on a small tank. Rebuilt the carb, and have a new fuel pump. I don't want anything to mess that up. Water pump makes a lot of racket and a crack in exhaust manifild. 53,000 miles. Motor sounds good. I am having a blast going through it. It has been 11 years since I went through a vehicle. All lights are working, except oil pressure indicator. I need to check that. Probably not grounding. Brakes next. Thanks all for the help. I know I will have many more questions. I'll work on the photos.
Rob R

[Dick Koch]

Rob - A way to find out if the water pump needs replacement is grab the end of one of the blades and move back and forth, if you feel any give at all replace it. Noise indicates a need for replacement also provided that is where the noise is coming from. You can buy a stethescope from and parts house to check if the noise is really coming from the pump. And don't forget the pictures.
Dick.

[rankinrr]

Thanks Dick, you can wiggle the blades about a half inch. I put some photos on Photo Bucket and will try to post in photo section. Try being operative word. I am going to get a few gallons of acetone and some hex nuts a chain whatever it takes to start cleaning that tank out.

[Dick Koch]

I suggest you take the tank to a radiator shop, they can boil it out like a radiator and clean it throughly. My radiator guy boiled it out and lined it with a red gas tank protectant material called "Red Coat" for a total of $60 bucks, a kit to line the tank itself costs over $50 plus whatever acetone costs per gallon. Call some shops and see what you can come up with.
Dick.

[Dick Koch]

Rob - Google "Red Coat Furl Tank Liner". I even found it on ebay.
Dick.

[rankinrr]

Good advice. I have a friend that owns a radiator shop. The car was undercoated and the tank is clean. You should see the fresh paint that was protected by the gas tank. I almost want to wax it up under there before putting the tank back in... Almost that is.. This liner product does not flake off or anything?? A little scared of all that stuff. I did post some photos for starters.
Rob

[big m]

A concern with having the fuel tank lined is that the reformulation of todays fuel has caused old lining formulations to turn to jelly in some cases. I have had to clean fuel systems of this product, and it is not easy. Be sure the manufacturer has some kind of guarantee that their lining will hold up with Ethanol, Mtbe, and whatever else the government mandates for fuel additives.

---John