hello pinto guys and girls.i have a 77 wagon and went to have it smogged in ca. passed all tests with flying colors except for a new test where they pressureize your tank and look for vapor or fuel leaks.so the question is how hard is it to drop the tank and is there anything special to look out for?i have ford manuels for 77 looks like there alot of line between the canister and tank. im thinking fuel sending /gas guage gasket and any rubber connections.far as i know the parts are all oringal.any help would be nice or comments thanks chris in ca. :(
I just did the one on my sedan, and that was easier than I thought it could be. Pretty much I unplugged the sending unit cut the fuel hoses since I was going to replace them anyways, then removed the straps from the tank. Make sure you soak the studs for the straps overnight, as well as the four phillips screws holding the filler neck to the car.
Fair warning.. Be prepared to replace the screws holding the filler neck if they are as rusty as mine were.
The vapor cannaster line you are talking about goes to the vent check valve located in a rubber grommet at the top of the tank.
That's about it. Like I said, my car is a sedan, but I'm sure it's probably similar to change in the wagon.
Don't forget the grommet at the juncture of the filler hose and the tank. That rubber sometines cracks. Hope this helps. ;D
True, true.. I would think they would make a replacement for it since they are all gonna crack lol.
I had a heck of a time finding one. Luckily mine doesn't leak (yet!) knock on wood. 8)
http://www.sscenterprises.net/4images/categories.php?cat_id=31
you can purchase the rubber gromets here.
phils toys
Cool! Thanks Phil.
I have been on that site a few times before but I have never noticed that at all. I've now bookmarked it so I can go to my links and pull up the sites.
hi thanks for all yhe help i will ordering all the parts from sscenterprises they have everthing i need to hopefully seal up the vapor line and fill neck.its tough when your car can pass smog in ca. but they threw a new test at you the fuel tank pressure test for leaking vapors.they proballey never tested like that when it was new.thanks for the link got to keep your pinto on the road. chris in ca. :fastcar:
Phil beat me to it. I can testify that I recently restored my own gas tank and used their products, they are EXCELLENT! Best wishes on your efforts.
Chris
hi group just finishing ording parts from sscenterprises.net they got every thing you need and can find anywhere eles on the fuel tank gromments and thetank vent valve hofefully there goning prioty mail from east coast to west coast might get them in time to get started this weekend. looked at the tank this mornong doesent look as hard as i thought. looks like i can drop the tank 3inches or so and reach in and replace the vent valve and grommet and attach new hose.some vent hoses look on thetired side,.so i cavn get rolling with my new ca. personize plates gift from my sons and wife 77 pinto chris in ca. :fastcar:
You couldn't be more correct. It is quite easy. The best thing you can do is spray the studs with some blaster so they are easier to remove. That'll help prevent any problems in loosening those studs.
Just be careful when removing the sending unit from the tank. :)