****How do I get the fragging gas tank out! ((35-40 Fords))

Alright I'm about 80% done with the cleaning, s****ing, wire brushing etc the underside of the '35 Ford Coupe before I hit it with some POR-15. I undid all the bolt to the gas tank so that I can get it out but I can clear the frame. The filler neck seems to be getting in the way. Any idea of any tricks to pull this thing out? Does the filler neck have to be remove and if so how? It seems like I'm 1/4"-1/2" short on clearance.


Any input would be appreciated.


-JJ

 

C'mon and tricks!!!

 

I couldn't get the tank out from under my '40 sedan until i took the body off.

 

Well I dont know if this will help ya but when I dropped the tank on my 65 Ford I had to remove the bolts from inside the the gas filler door, grab ahold of the filler neck and twist and pull it out of the tank before it would drop. I remember it being a pain, but its easier than putting it back in
I was doing the same thing, totally undercoated with por15. That stuff rocks!

 

You have to slide it all the way toward the filler, drop it down on the p***enger side, then work it out.

 

car is probably different but i had to pull the shocks (stockers) out to get the tank out of my 35 truck. it's been awhile since i did it and it may have only been one side, i remember it was still a real tight fit and only came out at a certian angle.

 

Pretty sure that 35-36 has a screw in filler neck that has to come out. Then slide the tank to the left and drop the right side.

Pull the rear fender off first. The filler neck can be a bummer to get out of an old tank. Lots of soaking with penetrating oil first is prolly gonna be required.

 

fillers gotta come off first, which they sometimes **** to get off when they are just laying on the floor.

after thats off you just need to shift it all the way one direction and drop it out.

I just put one in a 36 a few months ago.

 

Can I just unscrew the filler? I have a brand new tank that I want to put in but I would rather not get the fenders off the car. I ***ume I should drain the bad gas out of it before knocking off the filler?

Nothing can ever be a snap with these old cars. I open one can of worms to find another.

 

1. Remove three bolts holding tank in.
Two on driver side one on p***enger side.
2. Remove fill tube on drivers side.
3. Remove tail pipe or pipes if there are two.
4. Get tank loose
5. Slide loose tank all the way towards the drivers side of the car.
6. Use a BIG pry bar to push the take towards the drivers side.
7. Now you should be able to bring the tank down.

Dont forget to drain the tank. If the drain wont come loose you could go through the sending unit access hole in the trunk[This is on a 40 Tudor]

 

There's really nothing in the way under it right now. The rear has been pulled, the exhaust is non existent, so I guess if I can get the filler neck out I'm golden!

Now how hard is it going to be to reinstall that filler neck?

 

If you can get the filler neck unscrewed with the fender on, then you don't have to remove it. Just guessing that it will be a lot easier with the fender off.

bet its easier than getting the old one out.

 

After disconnecting the fill pipe from the tank , pulling the bolts, I slid the tank forward, ****ed the left side up as high as I could and used a long pry bar slightly bent and flattened on the work end, then I worked along the edge of the flange bending it up slightly and the tank popped down onto my chest.
I wasn't planning to reuse it so I didn't care how bent the flange(s) became.
I installed a poly tank back into the coupe.
The poly's flanges are very forgiving and can be shoved around with no harm to them whatsoever.
Took me only 2 1/2 hours on a late summer afternoon to in and out it.
No more cruddy stuff in the fuel system accompanied be triple A tow jobs.
Incidentally, my '36 coupe has parallel leafs and a big *** '63 Oldsmobile rear end to move the tank past.
Maybe your rear end is different than mine.

 

they do come out with the body on. it ain't real easy, 3 bolts holds it in but it will come out. call it a fat ***** while you're taking it out. that helps

 

Seems like the 36 had some sorta coupler to screw it down tight. I got some of the lead washers that make the neck seal to the tank.

 

HAHAHA.....This works for me also.....

 

get a sawzall...youre puttin in a new one anyway

 

Use a torch..







seriously, all bolts off, neck off, slide foward then towards driver and pry

 

I agree with Malarkey...I just replaced the old tank in my '40
Ford coupe with a new metal Tanks Inc. tank.
At first I thought it was not going to be possible to get the old one out without removing the body. I finally had to cut a little
of the body just above the frame rail and bend it outward a bit
to allow the tank flange to move far enough toward the drivers
side for the tank flange on the opposite side to clear and drop
down past the frame rail. Not an easy job with the body on but
it can be done! I had to take the Sawzall to the opening for the
filler neck on the body as the new tanks fill neck was off a bit.
I wish I would have thought to install a drain plug before I got
that booger up in place! Dam it!!

 

Lets just keep sharing the knowledge

 

ALright I went back at it again today. I got one side out with a little persuasion but I still cannot get the filler neck out. It's loose like it can rotate a few degrees back and forth but I cannot completely get it out. I don't think it screws in since it's loose like it is. I would ***ume that it's an o ring keeping it it?

I shot some PB blaster on it and let it sit for the night. Any tips or tricks to get that ****er out? THere's no way even with one side dropped from the frame to snake that filler out of the body.

 

No o ring, they used a lead washer. Get some leverage on it an keep twisting, it'll come out one way or another.

 

This is great info because I have this job coming up in a 39 sedan.

 

You have to use the right swear words....then it will come right out. or follow orders from all of above......

 

Thanks for all the experience, I have to change the one in my 39 before I sell it.