The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - New guy w/71 K5--question on fan removal + tank

Hi friends,

I'm new here--just picked up a '71 K5 from Texas and tearing in to get her running. It's a 350 SBC mated to a 700r4 with Holly 600 carb. I'm no mechanic, but I've owned a C3 vette (sold it after bringing her back to life) and still have my '72 Nova SS clone (my baby). I do most of the work myself, but this K5 is giving me headaches at every turn. I'm used to Eddy 1406 carbs, so this Holley is strange to me. I had it running but now i'm fouling plugs like mad and can't keep her running (blue/black smoke). I'm starting at square one--empty the tank, new gas, fresh plugs and replacing the leaky radiator while at it. Reset the carb and hoping for success this weekend. However,.....

I'm stuck at the damn fan removal. It's stock clutch and shroud. On my C3 I recall it came off just fine, but these 1/2 bolts are not budging. Three days of hitting them from every angle with PB Blaster has done nothing. Any tips on getting these off? Too tight to get a a socket and breaker bar in there--working with a couple of 1/2" wrenches in opposite directions and nothing.

Then the empty of fuel tank. I picked up a transfer pump but can't get the hose around the bend to the tank. I removed the small breather (i think) hose from the top drivers side of the tank to try the smallest of hoses but that didn't work. I really don't want to pull the tank--could i remove one of the two lines on top side of passenger side of tank and siphon from there? I really don't want to pull that tank down if at all possible.

Otherwise, she's going to be fantastic some day. A little surface rust, a small hole in driver pan and few spots on rockers, but boxes, frame and original panels are really great. Looking forward to getting over these initial hurdles!

Top left clockwise (stupid fan bolts, lines top tank passenger, line top tank driver (couldn't get line past 1") and Texas patina-heavy K5.
Thanks in advance!