I know everyone is laughing as you read this! I just finished removing my rear end and I need to remove the gas tank to refinish/replace. One small detail, the tank is at least half way full. Every time I loosen the bolts in the back of it untop of the rear end, the tank is so damn heavy that keeps coming down. What is the best way to remove the darn thing without having it fall on me?
Thank you.

I bought a cheap (inexpensive) kerosene hand pump, you know the kind with the ball at the end that you squeeze (no wise cracks Dave). It was about 3 bucks from the hardware store. Works great for getting the gas out of the tank without drinking it. BTW, if you think it's hard getting the tank off with gas in it, try putting it back on http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

------------------
Steve Beuth

69 Malibu ZZ4-350
93 Camaro Z28
99 Silverado
Chevelle pics (http://hometown.aol.com/zz69chevelle/myhomepageauto2.html)

If you put another hose on the pickup that drops it below the bottom of the tank, it will siphon out naturally.

This isn't funny, it's dead serious, especially if you're working on your car in an enclosed garage with a gas water heater nearby. Whatever you do, do it outside!! The little hand pump Steve referred to is probably the best idea.

Why not syphen it out into a couple gas cans with a rubber hose? There'll still be a little gas left, but it should be light enough to take out.

------------------
Mike A.
North Vernon, IN
'70 Malibu
'70 Malibu convertible (http://genxrodsandcustoms.8m.com/mike.html)

Thanks for your help guys. I am working im my garage and I just pulled my rear end out. You are right this needs to be done carefully, so I think I will visit the local Eagle Hardware store to get a pump. I have an air compressor as well, I wonder if they make any "pumps" for that to expedite the job.
Once I empty the gas, how should I support the tank so it still does not fall on me? I was thinking about using my 3.5 ton jack, but it might go through the tank.
Thanks

Yanniz. Just put a large piece of plywood (3/4 of an inch thick) between your jack and the tank. This will even out the force.
Rob.

------------------
www.si.hhs.nl/~rob (http://www.si.hhs.nl/~rob)

if you decide to suck it out be very careful. this age old trick is very DANGEROUS!!!! if one drop of gas gets in your lungs your dead!! that would suck worse than the tank falling on you.

And like I mentioned in the above post, if the fumes from the gas reach the pilot of your water heater, your next post to us will be from the moon!!!!

I forget that a lot of you guys have garages to work in http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Thumper is right. I had a cat that drank some gasoline one time, and he took off running all over the yard and around and around in the garage and back out in the yard. I couldn't catch him so I could take him to the vet. He ran around like this for several minutes before he just keeled over. Yep, you guessed it!! He ran out of gas!! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

That is funny Randy (feel sorry for the cat, but great ending to the story.)
The tank is out, thanks everyone for your help.

Next time you can poke a hole in it at the lowest point, it is safe and will always work. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Randy that reminds of the joke about the kid taking a dog in heat for a walk. To keep the males away her dad rubbed a rag with gas on on the dog under its tail. About 15 minutes later the girl comes back without the dog. When her dad asks where the dog is, she says.........she must have ran out of gas another dog is pushing her home.