Removing the fuel feed fitting at the tank

[arknotts]

I'm trying to remove my gas tank to install my walbro fuel pump, and I'm having a really hard time getting the fitting off for the fuel feed (the one where the hard line connects to the rubber line). I've tried 4 applications of PB blaster, letting it soak overnight and I still cannot get that joint to loosen and I'm starting to strip the 14mm side. So I'm thinking I'm going to have to cut and replace/repair it.

Can I cut both the soft (rubber) line and the hard line, and simply remove and bypass that fitting? Doing it this way I would have to use a hose barb fitting like this:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RNB-800-012/

...which I don't know if that's a good idea on a pressurized fuel feed line. I know others have had trouble with this, if you haven't been able to get it off what have you guys done?

 

[shaeff]

I'm trying to remove my gas tank to install my walbro fuel pump, and I'm having a really hard time getting the fitting off for the fuel feed (the one where the hard line connects to the rubber line). I've tried 4 applications of PB blaster, letting it soak overnight and I still cannot get that joint to loosen and I'm starting to strip the 14mm side. So I'm thinking I'm going to have to cut and replace/repair it.

Can I cut both the soft (rubber) line and the hard line, and simply remove and bypass that fitting? Doing it this way I would have to use a hose barb fitting like this:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RNB-800-012/

...which I don't know if that's a good idea on a pressurized fuel feed line. I know others have had trouble with this, if you haven't been able to get it off what have you guys done?

Keep spraying it w/ PB for a few days. When I did mine (lived in NE road salt all of it's life) I sprayed it w/ PB every day for a week. When I went to remove it, I got it off with little trouble.

Keep in mind, it's NOT the gas tank hardline side that spins, you should be holding that side stationary. You need to spin the RUBBER line side (IIRC, the fitting is larger and silver) I would exhaust all hope of removing it before cutting it off.

Run a wire brush around the threads, and a pick at the joint of the two unions. Then re-spray w/ the PB so it soaks into the threads. Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

 

[arknotts]

Keep spraying it w/ PB for a few days. When I did mine (lived in NE road salt all of it's life) I sprayed it w/ PB every day for a week. When I went to remove it, I got it off with little trouble.

Keep in mind, it's NOT the gas tank hardline side that spins, you should be holding that side stationary. You need to spin the RUBBER line side (IIRC, the fitting is larger and silver) I would exhaust all hope of removing it before cutting it off.

Run a wire brush around the threads, and a pick at the joint of the two unions. Then re-spray w/ the PB so it soaks into the threads. Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

Thanks for the good tips. I tried another coat of PB, and no luck. I had the 14mm flare wrench wedged up against the tank mounting strap to hold it in place, and I tried to turn the 19mm nut with both arms (also tried an extension). I think the only thing I accomplished was rounding off the 14mm connector more. I'm really surprised because while I live in the rust belt (Ohio), my car is from California and I don't drive it in the winter. It has no rust on these connections.

I should have tried a wire brush + more PB, but abandoning all hope I just cut the rubber line. I think during the process I might have kinked the hard line anyway. I'm going to drop the tank and see if it's twisted (hopefully not).

So...in light of the new situation, what would you guys recommend the fix be? I'm going to replace the fuel filter (whether it needs replacing or not...it's hard to get to with the tank in place) since I have the tank dropped. Should I buy an appropriate fitting that goes into the fuel filter and run -AN hose all the way down to the hard line? Or should I just get a barb fitting that will fit securely in the cut rubber hose?

Thanks for any help...I was expecting this install to be quick :nono:.