Fuel tank and under trunk (65 Riviera)

[rsmalling]

While still waiting for my engine parts to get back to me Im staying busy other stuff. Pulled flushed and painted the gas tank, did more of the brutal sanding, priming and painting of the underside. Im lucky, no rust out, just surface rust.

Fuel Tank pictures by rsmalling - Photobucket

[mt65riv]

Wow, that is clean. Are you going ti keep moving forward and pull the rear end and rebuild that and detail the underside and so on? Has to make the hard jobs like that easier to tackle in little bits. Not looking forward to that on mine.

[rsmalling]

yes Mike,

it is easier in bite sized pieces. The Rear end is going to be in the next phase after the engine is in and running, I plan on dropping it and giving it a good service and inspection, along with painting and bushing replacement. Also replacing the brake lines and hoses as well. And of course, continuing with the under carriage painting. I now have from the rear end to the firewall to go.

[CheezeMan]

While still waiting for my engine parts to get back to me Im staying busy other stuff. Pulled flushed and painted the gas tank, did more of the brutal sanding, priming and painting of the underside. Im lucky, no rust out, just surface rust.

Rob, was thinking on painting my gas tank. I understand that the ground is important to have a working gas gauge. Have you installed the tank yet and checked if the sending unit is working, since it is all painted? I was considering adding a ground to the tank somehow.

thanks.

[rsmalling]

Excellent point! I will have to check that out. Yes it will need a ground, so I will for sure add one now that I have it all painted. Thanks Chuck!

[Kingoftheroad]

I'm planning on dropping the tank on my 64, got all the parts I need, I've just been procrastinating.....lol. I have to replace my sending unit, sometimes it registers something, sometimes not.. Even when it registers something, I don't believe it to be correct...

[Don McClair]

If you plan on removing your gas tank, plan on dropping the transverse muffler. That seems like a lot of work and, just maybe you can get the tank out without dropping the muffler, but it probably takes less time overall to drop everything. Also, there are a few experienced sending unit re-builders that do an excellent job. The re-builders calibrate the sending unit back to factory specs so it will work properly with your fuel gauge but ask them if they do. Lastly consider using a can of Tank Tone from Eastwood to repaint your tank. While close to argent in color this paint gives it a new look.

[Kingoftheroad]

If you plan on removing your gas tank, plan on dropping the transverse muffler. That seems like a lot of work and, just maybe you can get the tank out without dropping the muffler, but it probably takes less time overall to drop everything. Also, there are a few experienced sending unit re-builders that do an excellent job. The re-builders calibrate the sending unit back to factory specs so it will work properly with your fuel gauge but ask them if they do. Lastly consider using a can of Tank Tone from Eastwood to repaint your tank. While close to argent in color this paint gives it a new look.

You can get the tank out without removing the muffler, right ??

[Don McClair]

On my 65 Riv, the first difficulty in dropping the tank was removing the fuel lines from the tank. Since the sending unit is on top of the tank getting to them is a bear and disconnecting the rubber line from the metal line that runs along the bottom of the body is also a bear because the muffler is in the way. Then getting to the bolts that hold the tank straps to the bottom of the body are hard to get to because of the muffler. I am thinking that if you held the tank in place with a floor jack you might be able to remove the straps and lower it down but the filler neck goes above the frame cross member and you have to slide the tank towards the front of the car as you lower it. Also keep in mind the piece of rubber and the overflow hose that goes around the filler neck. Removing the bolts that hold that in place will make the tank removal easier and you won't tear anything up. One more point is Northern Tool sells a siphon hose for about $10.00 that has a check ball in one end. You stick that end in the tank and jiggle it and gas starts siphoning out which is much better than getting a mouth full of gas. Removing the muffler from my car was easy because the exhaust system only had a couple thousand miles on it. When I dropped the muffler I left the tail pipes connected to the muffler and just removed the hangers that held them up. Working on the first generation Riviera is difficult but the results are worth it. I have joked that to replace the power window wiring harness in the dash or getting the heater core out you first start by removing the rear bumper. If anyone has removed their tank without removing the muffler or if I have overlooked something please let this forum know so that it might be easier for someone else.

[Kingoftheroad]

On my 65 Riv, the first difficulty in dropping the tank was removing the fuel lines from the tank. Since the sending unit is on top of the tank getting to them is a bear and disconnecting the rubber line from the metal line that runs along the bottom of the body is also a bear because the muffler is in the way. Then getting to the bolts that hold the tank straps to the bottom of the body are hard to get to because of the muffler. I am thinking that if you held the tank in place with a floor jack you might be able to remove the straps and lower it down but the filler neck goes above the frame cross member and you have to slide the tank towards the front of the car as you lower it. Also keep in mind the piece of rubber and the overflow hose that goes around the filler neck. Removing the bolts that hold that in place will make the tank removal easier and you won't tear anything up. One more point is Northern Tool sells a siphon hose for about $10.00 that has a check ball in one end. You stick that end in the tank and jiggle it and gas starts siphoning out which is much better than getting a mouth full of gas. Removing the muffler from my car was easy because the exhaust system only had a couple thousand miles on it. When I dropped the muffler I left the tail pipes connected to the muffler and just removed the hangers that held them up. Working on the first generation Riviera is difficult but the results are worth it. I have joked that to replace the power window wiring harness in the dash or getting the heater core out you first start by removing the rear bumper. If anyone has removed their tank without removing the muffler or if I have overlooked something please let this forum know so that it might be easier for someone else.

I guess if I need more room, removing the hangers for the exhaust / muffler sounds like a good idea to keep in mind, Thanks..
I don't feel like taking apart the exhaust system if I don't have to..

[RivNut]

In my chassis manual, the section on gas tanks (3-25, g.) it states: ".... Therefore, it is not necessary to remove any other parts before removing the gas tank. The tank is held in place by two straps and two nuts."

Ed

[rsmalling]

Yeah King,

Mine has non stock mufflers so in my case it was not an issue. but once the straps are off, it just comes forward a few inches to clear the filler neck, then you are home free. Im going to drop mine again to install a proper ground to the sending unit.

[Kingoftheroad]

Thanks for the tips guys, this info should make the job easier now..

[Kingoftheroad]

Yeah King,

Mine has non stock mufflers so in my case it was not an issue. but once the straps are off, it just comes forward a few inches to clear the filler neck, then you are home free. Im going to drop mine again to install a proper ground to the sending unit.

Funny thing is, when it came time to replace the muffler, I almost went with non stock mufflers. I just replaced that muffler a few years back ..

[LostBoy]

What did you use to strip of the old finish on the tank and undercarriage. I am just starting the same project on my 63 riv. The results look great

[rsmalling]

What did you use to strip of the old finish on the tank and undercarriage. I am just starting the same project on my 63 riv. The results look great

Im kinda old school, I wet sanded the tank by hand, primed and then painted the tank. I dry sanded the undercarriage and used small wire bushes in the crevasses, then used 3M scratch pads, primed and then painted. I used rustolium primer and rustolium satin black, rattle cans. Very time consuming and hard work, but worth it. Just dont get in a rush.

[rsmalling]

Funny thing is, when it came time to replace the muffler, I almost went with non stock mufflers. I just replaced that muffler a few years back ..

Im going to replace my complete exhaust system and go back to the stock GS in my upcoming phases after I get this engine and AC phase dialed in. Im seeing the light way down at the end of the tunnel, it looks like a pin head, but I can see it!

[RivNut]

Im seeing the light way down at the end of the tunnel, it looks like a pin head, but I can see it!

Just make sure that light isn't the headlight of a distant oncoming train!

[rsmalling]

Just make sure that light isn't the headlight of a distant oncoming train!

I hear that Ed! , Sometimes Im the windshield and sometimes Im the fly! Its all good as long as we are able to keep fixin up our Rivi's!

[RivNut]

My signature used to say "Some days I'm the pigeon, some days I'm the statue." Know how you feel.

[Kingoftheroad]

Just make sure that light isn't the headlight of a distant oncoming train!

And make sure you don't run into any tunnels painted on the side of a mountain...lol (Road Runner & Wiley Coyote)

[RivVrgn]

Excellent point! I will have to check that out. Yes it will need a ground, so I will for sure add one now that I have it all painted. Thanks Chuck!

Hey Rob just did this (painted tank) and was wondering since it's been a while since your post if you installed your tank yet and if you used a ground. If so where did you put it? I guess a screw on the sending unit to the frame? Hope everything worked out. If anybody else has an answer chime in Thanks.

[rsmalling]

Hey Rob just did this (painted tank) and was wondering since it's been a while since your post if you installed your tank yet and if you used a ground. If so where did you put it? I guess a screw on the sending unit to the frame? Hope everything worked out. If anybody else has an answer chime in Thanks.

Hey Joey,

I just cleaned the paint off of couple places where the straps contact the tank and made sure the strap to frame contact points were clean. No problem with the ground, sending unit works fine. I always use a little dielectric grease on all my electrical work as well.

All the best,