1974 gas tank removal suggestions

[D Calkins]

The service manual shows the tank coming out through the trunk, however my tank bolts from below. I can only assume that earlier models came out this way. All three bolts have been removed but no luck. What am I missing?

 

[HB Chris]

All MY 74 are mounted from underneath, it is stuck to the sealing material which can also lead to rust. There should be five bolts, at least the early tank uses five, can’t imagine yours needing less.

 

[HB Chris]

(5) M8x18 in the parts book, earlier uses (5) M6x18.

 

[D Calkins]

I have only found 3 M8 bolts. That sounds like my problem

 

[sfdon]

Shall we send JC in to help?

 

[D Calkins]

He makes house calls to Michigan?

 

[Larry Louton]

My E3 came out through the top like this, Remove everything like you said and raise two foot up on hoist. Place 5 gallon bucket underneath the tank and lower vehicle onto bucket. When it is elevated about 6 inch's turn the tank counter clockwise. Hope you drained the tank.
Thank you.
Larry Louton

 

[HB Chris]

Larry, the 74 mounts from underneath as discussed above.

 

[Rek]

If the body has threaded holes then it can be fitted whichever way you like. You can even change it if you don't like your first choice, or change it every week just for the thrill. Just for my view though, I would go with the photo in the manual, then if any bolts come loose you won't lose your tank.

 

[D Calkins]

Only three of the five bolts are visible from the trunk. I can't fathom how I would change the orientation of my tank

 

[Dlc]

I only found this pic of a 74 tank on a quick search -you can see here 4 out of the 5 holes:

 

[D Calkins]

Tank is out. Definitely 5 bolts. Is this a shitty tank repair?

 

[sfdon]

Sketchy…

 

[D Calkins]

Cleaning up some superficial rust

 

[mulberryworks]

Tank is out. Definitely 5 bolts. Is this a shitty tank repair?

Looks like a brazed repair to me. Can be done at a lower temp than welding, but hard to get the tank clean enough and hot enough without a welding torch to seal well. Is your tank sealed on the inside?

 

[D Calkins]

I don't have a bore scope, so I have no idea what the other side looks like. I sanded it down with a 60 grit pad on my DA sander so it looks less ugly. I treated the little bit of rust and dropped it off to be sandblasted and powder coated.

 

[sfdon]

Good tool to own….

https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Endoscope-Camera-Light-Borescope/dp/B0GQ3SQBXC/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2QB03QAI91JF6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Gwdrh7q4aKVVtzZyu9RNhg9_XVMYzU_vNEQHLdZ_kQbjKpTSTkItZoG1ZXXF9ds3Zhh_ybCF-IJnm6R08bNY-dK0roupRntrqcFhXS4Pk04RXdTK4tEKebq8j8wmpqAolzfleMtC--1Rg1EuUPDrkmkepqwKMg9Zj8PF6O3I9aDc7JKRjdMFV1ie5k5TGpXlzsu-HH5l8kjkho6JH431eEcrMRg813hN_yUw6PhzzDg.8pPZFlJfm6GOxoeJoDAPZChLl_c7nnQ69j0gSRU9ctA&dib_tag=se&keywords=depstech+borescope&qid=1789848907&sbm=true&setroute=search&sprefix=DEPSTECH%2Caps%2C247&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

 

[mulberryworks]

Nice scope. Quite long. The 90° degree view camera is a definite plus. I got one that I can steer in one plane. But it's not so long.

 

[e9Leveque]

Completely agree, this type of tool is well worth the cost, it will pay for itself the first time you need to use it - find a nut that you dropped, look up above a frame member from below, look into a cylinder, etc

 

[sfdon]

Taking a pic of the VIN number on the block…..