Pro-actively replacing fuel pump

[koda2000]

To be clear. The 2 front 17mm bolts are absolutely necessary to hold the tank in place, but you'll find the tank will not drop to it's front "perch" until the center strap is loosened/removed. Yes, some trucks had a tank protector plate and some did not. If so equipped this must be removed first.

 

[mikepier]

This is the bracket I refer to. So if I remove the 2 bolts from the tank, wont it rest on this bracket? Or do these 2 bolts also hold in the bracket?

 

[drdoom]

They just hold the tank.

 

[mikepier]

Got this done yesterday. I ran the truck as close to empty as possible for the past few days, but there was still 3 gallons inside when I got the tank out.

Also the fuel line gave me a problem of not wanting to disconnect at the sending unit. I had the plastic fuel line removal kit, but did not want to budge. I ended up removing the sending unit's 6 bolts to remove from tank to get the tank out. I then purchased a metal fuel line removal tool ( kind of looks like a scissors), and after struggling for a while, the line finally broke loose.

I cleaned the inside and outside of the tank and sprayed it with black undercoating. It had some minor surface rust mostly on top. Let it air dry for a few hours.

I purchased a Carter pump off Rock Auto. What was nice was I did not have to splice any electrical connections, it came with an extension harness that fits exactly into the existing sending unit plug. Also comes with strainer.

Changed fuel filter, put tank back in, filled with gas, car started up. Now at least I have peace of mind and no fear of the pump going out leaving me stranded.

 

[drdoom]

Good job mike.