Anyone know a good trick or two for removing the gas tank on an 89 Firebird Formula? We've already jacked it up, removed everything the Chilton's guide says to remove, and pulled it down -- but the filler neck is sticking and we can't get it completely out.

Any websites with information on this particular job would also be greatly appreciated. Getting the tank out has been such a miserable job that I'm absolutely dreading trying to put the new tank in.

Thanks,
Kyth

 

You will have to pull down on the tank and bend the filler neck straighting it some. Untill it pulls thru the body work. Before you install the new one look and see where the neck was making contact with the body. Take a pair of channel lock pliers or vice grip. And bend the opening up so there is little contact with the new tank.

 

Jack the car waaaay up, as high as the suspension and brake lines will let you go. If you need more play in the brake lines, you can take off one of the mid-car brackets (one bolt) or bend it open just enough to slide the line out of it.

Then roll the tank forward, while turning it to left (the car's left) and out (pulling out towards the car's right).
I didn't have to bend the neck any at all. Did you also remove the filler door and the plastic insert?

 

I didn't have to bend my filler neck either... on both times I did it (sigh), the tank took some wiggling, but came down. If you've left those tank straps hanging, try removing them. Also, make sure the lip of the fill neck isn't hanging up on the frame.

I remember doing the same as Jza... rolling the tank so the front of it went "down", pushing the passenger side of the tank towards the driver's seat, and "look out below"!

Remember to do the same, in reverse, when putting the tank up... it "almost fits" if you don't, but it won't quite make it. Also, this method (seat the front of the tank first) helps when putting the tank back into it's correct spot underneath the car, to attach the straps.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

Looky what I found when doing a search on the subject...

https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/000794.html

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'87 IROC 5.7l TPI - original owner!

[This message has been edited by P J Moran (edited November 21, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by P J Moran (edited November 21, 2001).]

 

I never droped my rear end today when I changed my tank,pump,and filter.I didnt have to bend my filler neck either.I just pulled my tank all the way to the passenger rear coil and twisted and jiggled my tank downward and it came out.Oh man I replaced my fuel filter "good thing too" and my old one weighed around one pound after it was drained.The new one was light as a feather.

 

Oh man is getting that thing out ever a pain in the butt. How we did it was on my freinds IROC we jacked it up, took off the cat back wich thankfully had a joint over the axel, the head sheild, etc. I held a metal bar thingy in the fuel neck and pushed on it while the other 2 guys wresteled it around under the car, and about 10 minutes later we got it out. Having the car up higher would have helped more, but we didn't end up really bending the neck, just gotta push on it and get it around all the little metal edges.

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88 Camaro (The mighty LO3 SC!)
305TBI/700R4/2.73/125,XXX miles
10" Open Element and Flowmaster 80 seires
Bosch Platinum plugs
Double silicone Accel wires


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