1966 Gas Tank Removal

[Presley F.]

I have a leaking gas tank in my roadster and need to remove it. I have removed the exhaust, drained the tank, removed the filler neck, unbolted the support member and the tank straps, and removed all the fuel line connections.
The tank is loose but I can't seem to move it in the correct direction to allow it to come out.
Do I rotate the tank by pulling down on the front of the tank to get it out? Or is there a trick/procedure to getting this tank out?
When I rotate it forward by pulling down on the front, it gets stuck and I can't seem to rotate it enough to get it out.
Any help would be appreciated!

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1966 Gas Tank Removal

Presley -- I'm no expert, having done this only once on my '65 convertible, and had much the same problems you describe -- it is really tight.

It sounds like you're doing the right stuff, and yes, I finally succeeded by pushing the tank up high and back to the driver side corner, then (IIRC) rotating the front downward, dropping the front moreso on the passenger side; all the time watching the space between the fuel gauge outlet tube and the rear frame (that's the limiting space to the operation).

Repeat same in reverse order for installation (seemed to go easier that time).

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1966 Gas Tank Removal

I think I had to take the filler neck off to do mine. It should be in the service manual.

DOM

[Presley F.]

Re: 1966 Gas Tank Removal

Presley -- I'm no expert, having done this only once on my '65 convertible, and had much the same problems you describe -- it is really tight.

It sounds like you're doing the right stuff, and yes, I finally succeeded by pushing the tank up high and back to the driver side corner, then (IIRC) rotating the front downward, dropping the front moreso on the passenger side; all the time watching the space between the fuel gauge outlet tube and the rear frame (that's the limiting space to the operation).

Repeat same in reverse order for installation (seemed to go easier that time).

OK, wow that was hard. It appears that the holdup was the tank straps at the rear of the car. Could not get the rear attachment off, just the front. Finally got it out by pushing the straps up from the front and that seemed to give me room in the back for the tank to move so it could rotate down.

I have done this once before. I was the one who put this tank in the car several years ago. Now the tank is leaking around the opening where the sending unit attaches. Not the gasket/O ring but thru the weld itself.

Guess it is time for a new tank.