C3 '76 gas tank problem and a tilt-tele question...

[Eugene M.]

Hello all,

As a member for just 1 year, I've been fortunate to join a great chapter and participated in a lot of fun chapter events last year. With the '09 driving season a mere 5 or so weeks away, I can't wait to get my '76 out of its winter sleep soon. I was fortunate enough to have my car score Second Flight in our chapter's '08 judging meet so I'm on the road to Top Flight........time, effort and budget permitting.

I had a couple of issues come up last year that I'd like to fix this year and, since I'm somewhat 'mechanically challenged' (but more than willing to learn), I'm hoping someone can help point me in the right direction as to how to fix these problems.

1. I was never able to fully fill my tank (68 litre capacity according to specs). The most I could ever fill was approx. 40 - 45 litres (gas gauge in car would show just under 3/4 full). Do I need to replace something? I seem to recall there's a "bladder" of some kind in the gas tank.
   • FYI, car had 9,014 original miles when I bought it (I would think the original gas tank & components should be good for more than 10,000 miles)
2. The locking mechanism for the tilt/tele on the steering wheel was always loose, even after constant tightening - to the point where it would continually become loose if I was travelling on a bumpy road, requiring me to have to re-tighten it a lot while driving

I have assembly manuals for my car's year so I'll do some research there, but I thought that maybe someone may have encountered similar problems, and any help to a 'mechanically-chellenged' member like me would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 '76 gas tank problem and a tilt-tele question...

Hello all,

As a member for just 1 year, I've been fortunate to join a great chapter and participated in a lot of fun chapter events last year. With the '09 driving season a mere 5 or so weeks away, I can't wait to get my '76 out of its winter sleep soon. I was fortunate enough to have my car score Second Flight in our chapter's '08 judging meet so I'm on the road to Top Flight........time, effort and budget permitting.

I had a couple of issues come up last year that I'd like to fix this year and, since I'm somewhat 'mechanically challenged' (but more than willing to learn), I'm hoping someone can help point me in the right direction as to how to fix these problems.

1. I was never able to fully fill my tank (68 litre capacity according to specs). The most I could ever fill was approx. 40 - 45 litres (gas gauge in car would show just under 3/4 full). Do I need to replace something? I seem to recall there's a "bladder" of some kind in the gas tank.
   • FYI, car had 9,014 original miles when I bought it (I would think the original gas tank & components should be good for more than 10,000 miles)
2. The locking mechanism for the tilt/tele on the steering wheel was always loose, even after constant tightening - to the point where it would continually become loose if I was travelling on a bumpy road, requiring me to have to re-tighten it a lot while driving

I have assembly manuals for my car's year so I'll do some research there, but I thought that maybe someone may have encountered similar problems, and any help to a 'mechanically-chellenged' member like me would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Eugene----

1975-77 Corvettes use a fuel tank with a separate bladder. This bladder can deteriorate over time and cause the problem you describe. In the case of these bladders, it's more a question of time than miles. That's because the bladder is exposed to gasoline from the time it's first filled and thereafter continues to be affected by it regardless of the number of miles. So, whether the car has 10,000 miles on it or 500,000, the effect of the gasoline on the bladder is the same. The bladder is made of a very gasoline resistant plastic material. However, being a plastic, it is an organic material and will be degraded, over time, by an organic solvent (gasoline).

The big problem is I know of no source for a replacement. The GM piece was discontinued a long time ago and, as yet, no one has "stepped up to the plate" to reproduce it. I thought I read a while back that someone was going to, but I don't think I've seen anything on it yet. The steel tank is reproduced and available, but that's not your problem.

As far as the column goes, I'd say that it needs to be rebuilt. Very likely, you have a broken or severely worn component that's the root cause of your problem. These tilt/tele columns are VERY tricky to work on. I'd send it to a specialist for repair.

[Michael M.]

Re: C3 '76 gas tank problem and a tilt-tele question...

Eugene, with respect to the steering column, Joe is correct that these are very tricky, but search for articles by Jim Shea as he is an expert on Corvette steering columns and you can at least get educated on how these things work. You can search this and other forums as well as the internet.

[Paul B.]

Re: C3 '76 gas tank problem and a tilt-tele question...

more info here. Follow links...

...my '75 Corvette has been "bladderless" for the last 15 years and 60,000 miles.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...k-bladder.html

[Eugene M.]

Re: C3 '76 gas tank problem and a tilt-tele question...

Thanks everyone for your help and direction, appreciate it!

[Robert B.]

Re: C3 '76 gas tank problem and a tilt-tele question...

Eugene, with respect to the steering column, Joe is correct that these are very tricky, but search for articles by Jim Shea as he is an expert on Corvette steering columns and you can at least get educated on how these things work. You can search this and other forums as well as the internet.

I agree. I used Jim's excellent papers to rebuilt my '73 t/t column from bottom to top and could not have done it without his knowledge and advice. I put the column back in the car last weekend. Here is the link to his C3 steering papers.

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4

One simple thing to look at relative to your loose tele. After you remove the steering wheel there is a star screw that is used to lock the tele. You can set it to your liking and then use the two screw holes of 6 that align with star screw at your setting. See Jim's papers. It's easy and if I can remove my column and rebuilt it, anyone can.