[DACHOKLIT1]

Greetings. I am FINALLY back on my 78 Alfa Spider project. I got the screws out and all fuel lines disconnected...Good. Now, is there a certain 'procedure' for removing the tank from the car? I can lift it BUT it gets stuck on the metal tail light bracket. I want to take it to get cleaned out and sealed. Thanks in advance!

 

[ghnl]

As I recall from our '84 Spider, it has to come up at a twisty/turny angle. And even then it just barely makes it - like those 3D puzzles where you have to turn & twist in the right sequence. Keep trying...!

 

[DACHOKLIT1]

Ghnl, that's EXACTLY what I did to get it out! I called around L.A. about getting the tank done. They want $492. I went on Vick's Autosports and found a new one for $169! Think I'm going to go that route along with the sender, both fuel pumps, filters and new lines. The weather is too nice to have her just sitting here! Thanks for your response.

 

[mmarvi]

DACHOKLIT1

I saw that fuel tank myself. Any reason as to why it is a good $100 less than the ones available at International Auto and Centerline?

Mo in NJ
81 Spider
Tank now being boiled

 

[alberbat]

Just did that on a '87 Spider this weekend. Had plenty of problems myself. Took out the taillight and thanks to Larry at APE I unbolted the metal fuel filler so it could be lifted, but I still couldn't get clearance. But my son shifted the front to the right and musseled it out. Sometimes kids have a value. He also put the new tank back in.

Attaboy!

 

[Farace]

In terms of cleaning out a tank, it's worth checking with your local radiator shop. I don't recall exactly what my local shop charged, but it was somewhere in the neighborhood of $25-35. That doesn't include sealing it of course, but it gets you halfway there for probably less than you spend on the chemicals, and you don't have to be the one figuring out how to dispose of them.

 

[mmarvi]

Bob.
The radiator shop I had look at it started the quote at $80, but then again, it was pretty gummed up, even after I tried clearing it out myself.

I am waiting to hear about it now. Lets hope it comes out ok, or I need to buy a new tank.

Mo in NJ
81 Spider
Tank now being boiled

 

[DACHOKLIT1]

DACHOKLIT1

I saw that fuel tank myself. Any reason as to why it is a good $100 less than the ones available at International Auto and Centerline?

Mo in NJ
81 Spider
Tank now being boiled

Honestly, I have no clue. I just spoke to the gentleman at Vick's and it sounded like he was working, but this is the right tank to get. Might as well go all new from the back to the front.

 

[Jim99]

When the new tank arrives, please let us know if you are happy with the quality. That price is unbelievable.

 

[Shiraz1965]

Yeah, getting the tank in and out of the car is pretty tricky. Just when I thought the car had shrunk on me, the tank slid right in. Local radiator shop charged me $35 for a cleaning, pressure test and paint.