fuel pump access via trunk

[billyjack357]

I may need to replace the fuel pump on my 2001, and I'm considering getting to it via the trunk, with a metal nibbler. Anybody ever consider an approach like this? I'm thinking it would eliminate 90% of the hassel. Thoughts?

 

[rabidscoobie]

I have no clue if that would work or not, and I honestly wouldnt even consider trying.
Ive never done a fuel pump on a stang but Ive done a few on Z28's and TA's and it wasnt all that hard,and on the stangs it doesnt look as much as a hassle as the GM's were.

 

[billyjack357]

I'm thinking - no jacking, no torn filler seal, no balancing the tank on a jack while lowering, no pinching hoses while raising, and not having to siphon the tank beforehand (it's 3/4's full, naturally).

Then I'm thinking - drill a 1/4 inch hole in the trunk well, and then nibble a circle around the area. Probably 30 seconds max.

The only variable is the space between the tank and the trunk floor. Wouldn't wanna eff that up...

 

[GDawg]

Wow... that's a pretty drastic approach. jmho

 

[tank_567]

I'm thinking - no jacking, no torn filler seal, no balancing the tank on a jack while lowering, no pinching hoses while raising, and not having to siphon the tank beforehand (it's 3/4's full, naturally).

Then I'm thinking - drill a 1/4 inch hole in the trunk well, and then nibble a circle around the area. Probably 30 seconds max.

The only variable is the space between the tank and the trunk floor. Wouldn't wanna eff that up...

thats a very very bad idea, run your car till its out of gas and drop the tank, sooo much faster, please dont do it.

 

[rabidscoobie]

Who siphons anymore...get a hand pump..

Id hate to hear how you would go about get a tranny out.... j/k

 

[billyjack357]

I'd run the fuel level down, but it doesn't run, LOL. It's not like I'm unable to do it, it's just that it seems like it could be a ridiculously easy, alternative approach. I'm really tempted, if I give it a go, I'll take some pics. Could be interesting. Hell, the circular coutout would only be like 7" in diameter or so...

 

[squisher]

I've actually heard of this being done on an f-body. If you're careful, it's not a terrible idea. In the F-body (it had pics, got to try find it back) he put it back together with a cheapie hinge and made an access door out of it

Granted, I've only ever replaced fuel pumps in a Fiero and an older J-body (cavalier, etc), and you can't get to the spot above the fuel pump on those so no choice to drop the tank.


Don't think it's the same article I remember, as this is for a 3rd gen Firebird, but the same idea:
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/tu...how-change-tta-fuel-pump-30-minutes-less.html

 

[mr-mike]

it could be done & some early *** cars had a nice acess spot above the fuel pump 1999 -2004 is a large pump with a larger filter it takes some twisting to remove the whole unit plus it comes with the harness & lines then you have guage ...... it wouldnt be worth the work & you would be left with a large whole , empty & drop the tank & pick up a new donut for the filler neck they always break whole time with helper & smoke & beer brake 3 hrs

 

[Maxpowers]

This is a good idea for a track only car or high horsepower car.

I see not reason to add this for a stock or close to stock car. May only have to change it once in the life of the car.

 

[Tim2002GT]

That would be a good way to ruin a good cars resale value. "Man up" and do it the right way.

 

[Kornnut]

I know on some older s-10s and full size chebby trucks this is done a lot. Personally, I wouldn't do it to the car. The tank is easy to drop, and may take a total of 20 min if you fumble fart around. I think it would be harder bending over the trunk and trunk seal getting the pump out.

 

[hotstang_46]

dude, that would be the absolute laziest thing I've ever heard of. You won't pinch any lines or shouldn't have any major conerns. I read someone said 3 hours..... no way. If you have the most basic mechanical knowledge and you take your time I just can't see more than 1 1/2 hours total. It is super easy and the tank doesn't need to be absolute bone dry. I've done it just fine with a quarter tank and can do it under an hour everytime with just me. just make sure you go to autozone to get the little plastic tool needed to get the fuel line off the filter. It's a few bucks.

 

[2002BLGT]

Ive done a fuel pump swap in 45 minutes before , dropping the tank is not hard at all

 

[rabidscoobie]

Well it does look easier on the stangs..I still dont wanna have to do one.
Last 1 I did was on a TA and you had to drop the exhaut...takes longer than 45mins for sure.