How to re-install a full gas tank by yourself the easy way....

[Brandon#]

I was impatient and decided it would be fine to install my new fuel pump without emptying the tank... What a PITA. Working by yourself, and on the ground, makes it tough to re-install the tank with the weight constantly shifting as the gas sloshes around. The floor jack just wasn't working for me.

I ended up using 2 atv straps and used them as "slings" under the tank, mounting them at the regular strap mounting points. I was surprised how easy the tank "flew" up into place. Cinching them up little by little, and readjusting the pitch of the tank made this job so easy that I thought I should share.

I thought this may help someone in the future, so I added a pic

Edit:
Another tip: Install the factory fuel tank straps on the rear first, and then the front. It will save a lot of headaches trying to do it the over way around.

 

[84 Sleeper]

Working on the the ground is a pain. I use an electric in line pump with some rubber lines to drain the tank. Good idea with the straps it looks like it went up there pretty nice that way.

 

[Roc87]

Even being able to empty the tank some, this still seems like a good idea

 

[larry33kc]

Yea nice idea !!!

 

[buddy]

Why would you put gas in a new tank before installing it?

 

[Brandon#]

Why would you put gas in a new tank before installing it?

I wasn't installing a new gas tank, I was installing a new fuel pump in the current gas tank that was 3/4 full.

I would probably still use this method on an empty tank. It made lining it up so much easier than trying to balance it on a jack, or muscle it into place while trying to attach the straps.

 

[GNONYX]

Another idea is leave the tank straps hanging down, then use a floor jack with a square piece of plywood and line the tank in position and jack the lift up to it's position, and tie down the tank straps.

I used this method when I replaced the transmission by myself since there was no one around to give me a hand. Yes I too did this replacement on the floor with a car ramp and jack stands on the rear.
Wife was wearing a good set of ear plugs

 

[earlbrown]

I just use my knee to hold it up. With a cordless drill motor chucked up with a 15mm and about a foot of extension laying within reach.

...and a 5 gallon bucket makes the perfect work stand to replace it.

http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/buick-v6-turbo-tech/54018-how-install-intank-fuel-pump.html

 

[novaderrik]

you could also just leave the straps in there and have a tank that you could drop in 10 seconds with no tools...

i've seen worse things done..

 

[CzyKats44]

Another idea is leave the tank straps hanging down, then use a floor jack with a square piece of plywood and line the tank in position and jack the lift up to it's position, and tie down the tank straps...

X2

 

[Pronto]

I just use my knee to hold it up. With a cordless drill motor chucked up with a 15mm and about a foot of extension laying within reach.

...and a 5 gallon bucket makes the perfect work stand to replace it.

http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/buick-v6-turbo-tech/54018-how-install-intank-fuel-pump.html

That's how I did it. Not fun but worked.

 

[Brandon#]

Another idea is leave the tank straps hanging down, then use a floor jack with a square piece of plywood and line the tank in position and jack the lift up to it's position, and tie down the tank straps.

I used this method when I replaced the transmission by myself since there was no one around to give me a hand. Yes I too did this replacement on the floor with a car ramp and jack stands on the rear.
Wife was wearing a good set of ear plugs

Yeah, I tried that too. I found that with 80 lbs of weight that quickly moves to one side if you're not perfectly balanced makes for a lot of 4 letter words. I am sure a bunch of people have gotten it to work, but I just gave up after it fell to the ground a couple of times

 

[Nick Micale]

There are various ways and methods when working on cars, not right or wrong just different, and by knowing what others do I find it helpful in many cases.

A car was towed in last night with a no-fuel issue and after checking this AM, the pump would not run, and of course it was full of gas?

After dropping the tank on the floor with a jack, the pump was removed and the wiring issue fixed. Installed the pump and attached a long rubber line to the outlet.

Knowing the full tank would kick my ass doing this alone, I plugged in the connector and replaced the blown fuses to check the pump, and pumped out the 80 pounds of fuel so I could easily put the tank in place with the floor jack!

 

[Nasty Wendy]

Not just for full tanks, I have my bone dry tank hanging in place with straps. I have to aquire the right bolts (size & length) from the hardware store to bolt up the straps. In the meanwhile it is hanging in place with straps.

 

[earlbrown]

once I get the tank on the stands, I siphon all the gas out into fuel jugs. I'd never attempt to put it back in any heavier than I have to.

 

[Nasty Wendy]

once I get the tank on the stands, I siphon all the gas out into fuel jugs. I'd never attempt to put it back in any heavier than I have to.

So whats the best technique to get good suction on the hose? What do you do if you get some in your mouth?

 

[earlbrown]

Getting some in your mouth isn't talked about in civilized society.






......and wash it down with beer.

 

[trbojo]

Some good ideas here....

 

[MeanBuicks]

Getting some in your mouth isn't talked about in civilized society.






......and wash it down with beer.

Doh! You swallowed!!

 

[NY_GN]

Pretty good idea, I had full tank and tried to bench press it, had to call a friend. Two floor jacks worked.