1980 Fiat Spider gas tank

[emosfiat]

Hey guys, looking for som insite as to the fuel tank on my 1980 spider 2000. The pick tube appeared to be plugged up so I added some compressed air and it opened up. I hooked up an old fuel pump and sucked some of that old stinking gassss out of the tank. There was not much flow though. Question is --is there a screen or filter on the end of the pick up tube? I can not see any way to get access to it if there is. Some advice would be most welcom. I plan to drop the tank and have it cleaned and coated. Let me know, thanks. Emo.

[racydave]

I removed my tank this last weekend. Its not fun either...

[mbouse]

other than the 90 degree elbow, is there anything that is sacrificed in the removal?? what other part(s) should i plan to replace...this is one of my winter projects, and I'd like to be prepared

[racydave]

The big hose to the bottom of the tank is difficult, but do-able to leave on the car. I would siphon the gas out first.

[pope]

Mike,
the 90° is not sacrificial. Took mine off without too much trouble and its going back on.

[jfrawley]

I just did this tank replacement thing 3 weeks ago and I found removing the filler neck with the 90 degree hose on it made the whole job easier. Undo the clamp for the 90 degree hose at the tank and back it off tank connection. Remove the rubber gasket and metal frame inside the feder well. Take out the 2 screws that hold the filler neck down. Pull up and rotate the filler neck to the left and out the whole assembly comes. I wanted to replace the 90 anyway, so I kind of had to do it. After the new tank is in, I simply put the filler back in straight, rotated it to the right, and worked the hose back onto the tank. Trust me, if I can do, anyone can.

[mbouse]

thanks guys

[emosfiat]

Thanks again guys. This is a task that most of must do in a repair or restoration. Good info on the R&R of the tank. Should be a breeze HaHaHa. Emo.

[emosfiat]

The tank is out after a few words of wisdom. Was not too bad. You were right about the filler hose being the hang up issue. Took a lot of prying to get it to loosen up. Close quarters. Had to cut the old clamp off. Real hard rubber. It will be replaced. The tank itself came out real easy. The tank is on the to a rad. shop for cleaning. Hope to get it back next week and in the car. Ready for the next step. Updated to follow. Emo.

[124cso]

Hi There, I have only just read your thread. How did you get on ? Obviously, as you cannot see the pick-up, you must have an injected car ( otherwise pick-up is in the sender unit) which will be a baffled tank. There is an extremely fine gause filter on the end of the pickup, which is on the floor of the tank.
I had/ have a rust issue with my tank and decided that this filter and it's inaccessability meant that use of any "slushing compound" to fix the rust and seal the tank was a no go as it would simply seal over the gause filter screen. I have partly double skinned the bottom of the tank from the outside by sweating on thin copper sheet to seal the pin holes.

You cannot use any phpsphoric acid based rust killers inside the tank as they will eat thru the protective coating of the unrusted areas. I used mollasis mixed in hot water ( about 2 or 3 parts water to 1 mollasis )and let it soak in the tank for a week or so then flushed it out an put it in the sun to dry for a day. Cheapest source of mollasis is a stock / horse feed store.
A lot of rust in tanks is caused by condensation in the top of the tank when the car sits around so it's a good idea to have your tank filled to the brim while it sits over winter.