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Fuel fill tube removal [message #277202] Sun, 03 May 2015 21:01 Go to next message
bpimm is currently offline  bpimm   United States
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Registered: June 2013
Location: Washougal Washington
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Is there a way to get the long strait tube that goes from the front fuel tank tee forward to the 90 that goes up to the fill neck out? I have all the other sections out but that one is to long to come out. I need to get it cleaned out I had a ton of rust in the tanks and the fill tube. The tanks are getting cleaned out and all the sections I can get out are cleaned but I can't figure a way to get that 1 out. Any help is appreciated.

By the way it's a 73.


Brian & RaeDean 1973 26' #383 Washougal WA
Re: Fuel fill tube removal [message #277211 is a reply to message #277202] Sun, 03 May 2015 22:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
djeffers is currently offline  djeffers   United States
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Perhaps your '73 tank has an actual Tee at the front tank.

Our '78 has one tube from the front to both tanks. Our one long tube can be removed by going all the way out the back under the bumper.

We've been working on these tanks and I will give you my thoughts as to how you might get your filler tubes out. I've had our tanks (now 3) and filler tube out umpty-ump times during this project.

I believe if you:

1. First disconnect all the band clamps (3 or so) securing the filler tubes to their mounting brackets as they run down the left frame rail and remove each bracket with its two screws.

2. Disconnect the forward tube from its rubber hose going up to the filler neck at the fill point.

3. Disconnect the filler tube and Tee at the front tank and take out the rubber hoses and Tee.

4. Disconnect the rear filler tube at the rear tank, remove the rubber hose and move that tube rearward a foot or so,

5. You probably can then pull the forward filler tube rearward six inches or so and drop the nose below the transmission crossmember.

6. And then pull the forward filler tube out.

7. I would think the rear tank filler tube would easily go forward and follow suit.

That should cover most of it. If for some reason that doesn't work I think each filler tube should slide out rearward down the left frame rail and under the bumper. Our long one piece '78 tube goes out in one piece in that manner.

We will be putting a Tee in our long one piece tube for the forward tank and have been under there many times studying the situation.


For working room our front wheels are up on heavy duty plastic truck ramps with safety hydraulic jack stands under the transmission crossmeber.

The rear air bags are pumped full up, the chassis jacked up a couple of more inches and a 4x4 on a 2x8 placed longitudinally on a concrete block with the webs vertical, placed next to the bogies and let the frame rail gently down on the 4x4s. We often then have a 20 ton jack under a bogie hook as well; belt and suspenders and suspenders.

For safety we subscribe to the Department of Redundancy Department mode of operation; fail-safe safely.

Perhaps others may comment as well.

Good luck.

Don and Susan Jeffers
78 Eleganza II becoming a III

Re: Fuel fill tube removal [message #277215 is a reply to message #277211] Sun, 03 May 2015 23:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
bpimm is currently offline  bpimm   United States
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Registered: June 2013
Location: Washougal Washington
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Bing light goes on. The one remaining piece won't go out the front and won't go out the back because there is an exhaust pipe in the way. Damn Dual exhaust is blocking it.

Thanks, now I know what I need to do to get it out.

Sounds like the newer version is the better setup instead of 6 pieces with rubber couplers... I can't wait to try to put it back together under there with tight new rubber. Sad


Brian & RaeDean 1973 26' #383 Washougal WA

[Updated on: Sun, 03 May 2015 23:07]

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Re: Fuel fill tube removal [message #277218 is a reply to message #277215] Sun, 03 May 2015 23:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
djeffers is currently offline  djeffers   United States
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bpimm wrote on Mon, 04 May 2015 00:06
Bing light goes on.

Thanks, now I know what I need to do to get it out.

... I can't wait to try to put it back together under there with tight new rubber. Sad


Spray the inside of the hose and the outside of the pipe with Silicone Spray. You might need a paper towel to grip things with all the spray on the parts. They go together pretty easy with Silicone.

Don and Susan Jeffers
78 Eleganza II
Re: Fuel fill tube removal [message #277228 is a reply to message #277215] Mon, 04 May 2015 07:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Brian,

As yours is a '73, but a 26', it still isn't all that tough.
Yes, it is 6 parts in the lower section, but that can work in your favor.
Loosen up everything and remove, the rubber elbow and rear straight section, then the T and three rubber couplers.
Walk the front long section back about an half a tank. You should then be able to pull the front down and take that piece out forward.

With the rear parts out of the road, it should be workable.

If you don't have any "original" ArmorAll, go get a tiny bottle and wet the inside of each coupling as you install them. That stuff is the best rubber lubricant I have ever used.

When reassembling at the T, put the coupling on the inlet side of the T and the tank nipple. Then roll the T in to the long section and the tank coupling about at the same time. You will have to take advantage of the flexibility of the both couplings to get it assembled. The elbow at the main tank goes in sort of the same way. (This is all from a guy that wore out his BTDT T-shirt.)

Matt
bpimm wrote on Mon, 04 May 2015 00:06
Bing light goes on. The one remaining piece won't go out the front and won't go out the back because there is an exhaust pipe in the way. Damn Dual exhaust is blocking it.

Thanks, now I know what I need to do to get it out.

Sounds like the newer version is the better setup instead of 6 pieces with rubber couplers... I can't wait to try to put it back together under there with tight new rubber. Sad



Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: Fuel fill tube removal [message #277284 is a reply to message #277228] Mon, 04 May 2015 21:20 Go to previous message
bpimm is currently offline  bpimm   United States
Messages: 211
Registered: June 2013
Location: Washougal Washington
Karma: 2
Senior Member
Thank you Matt, with some wiggling and a bit of force it came out the front, now it's all clean, sandblasted inside and out. I think I will give the outsides a coat of cold galvanization then paint and the inside will get sealed with por15 gas tank sealant before it goes back together. unless someone has a better idea.



Brian & RaeDean 1973 26' #383 Washougal WA
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