Removing Fuel Sending Unit from fuel tank

[Kenneth]

So I've removed my gas tank on a '76 elky and to find out the rust situation inside you've got to remove the sending unit, which is basically one of those circle things, sitting on top of the tank with hoses coming out, and seemingly have no way to be opened. everybody I talk to says they've never heard of a tool (plumber's tool?) to open them. It seems the tool of choice is a brass drift and a mallet/hammer. I know it may work, but it just doesn't seem right. Plus I'm a bit worried b/c there is a whole lot of rust and I don't want to destroy it while trying to open it. anybody have a better idea?

[swervin ervin]

Hammer and screwdriver works for me.

[mike reeh]

soak it with some WD40 or similar real good beforehand and you shouldnt have any problems.

[old Rusty C10]

ive always soaked it in liquid wrench for a few hours prior to the hammer and screwdriver method.... and if ya have a rubber mallet, you can try a copuple of raps in the general area to loosen it before ya try moving the retaining ring

[Kenneth]

it worked! i soaked it pretty good with some WD-40 and then just used a drift and hammer. The thing popped open no problem, of course the gas tank looked tip-top so there really wasn't any reason to do it in the first place, but I had to make certain.
thanks for the help.

[79BIG10]

Originally posted by Kenneth
opened. everybody I talk to says they've never heard of a tool (plumber's tool?) to open them.

I bet the tool is a drain wrench (not exact name) that has prongs that go down into drains to twist the top part out.

[dan42]

Here's the tool -Lord only knows where to get one. Hopefully I can use the above mentioned method tomorrow.

[old Rusty C10]

after four years he broke down and bought a new tank

[dan42]

I know, I know, it's an old thread, but if I figure I can add something that makes it a little more complete, then it's a little more usable for someone looking up a thread for this procedure.

[89 crew]

I had one I did a while back that was severely rusty. I was concerned that it would break instead of twisting out, so I wd40ed it several times over several days, then I took a screwdriver and pried the tabs up slightly, then it twisted out fine. before I reinstalled I cleaned as good as possible and bent the tabs back then twisted it back. I would only recommend this if the tank\ lock ring is so rusty that you don't believe it will come out by just tapping! If you plan on keeping the elcamino I would recommend a new tank if it is that bad! One other thing. the tanks on all trucks/cars under (in that vintage) 40 series is galvanized steel. it isn't likely for the inside to be that rusty without holes in the tank. If you have that bad of a rust issue, I would wonder about where you are getting gas.

[dan42]

89 crew, note the date on that el camino post. I brought this up to add a little to this thread to make it a little more valuable to someone's who's doing a lookup on installing a sending unit. Mine came out fine, I put the new one in, and...realized that the truck had a 2 barrel carb originally, and I had put in a motor with a 4 barrel. Meaning the fuel line was all 5/16, and I had installed a sending unit with a 3/8" connection. So I got to replace all the fuel line from the tank to the fuel pump. I have to say, it starts better now, though. I probably should have done that when I put the motor in. Just something to remember for next time.