Tips and Tricks

[kings-x59]

For reinstalling bolts you can't reach with your hands, dip the end of your socket in grease, then insert the bolt. using extensions on socket, replace bolt.

I've heard if you can fit a kitchen magnet in the socket, it also works.

good job, welcome to redneck problem solving....

[reaper]

The best penetration fluid for getting rusty stuff loose is
a 50/50 mix of Acetone & ATF.
The trick is to let it soak for 30 mins -1 hour,Longer for the really rusted on stuff.
I have removed old rusty 60+ year old tractor steering wheels
from steering shafts with this fluid mix.
Just recently unstuck a clutch in a 1949 ford 8N tractor that has been sitting
for over 30 years with this fluid mix.

[kings-x59]

Reaper,
so do you have to submerge the artifact in your special koolaide for it to work? does it work on a bolt or nut in place?

[reaper]

Reaper,
so do you have to submerge the artifact in your special koolaide for it to work? does it work on a bolt or nut in place?

If I had a tank large enough to submerge a 3500 lb tractor I would do it that way
It works with a nut & bolt in place.
I make my "koolaide" mixes in small tin can
then brush it on liberally.

[Meterpig]

On the fuel tank-I read that it is quite feasible to cut a hole in the floor, pull out the pump/send unit and drop one right in. Seems a lot easier than dropping a fuel tank.

[1Gary]

For yrs I have had about a 3 ft pc of brass 2" thick wall pipe flatten sort of on one end to accept wrenches and ratchets/breaker bars to use as a leverage on anything I wanted to loosen.The brass is more forgiven and has never bent or torn.It is one of the cherished tools I have.

[ihatemybike]

On the fuel tank-I read that it is quite feasible to cut a hole in the floor, pull out the pump/send unit and drop one right in. Seems a lot easier than dropping a fuel tank.

I've done 5 pumps so far (different vans). It really isn't that bad to drop the tank to do the pump.

[Meterpig]

Well-the part that convinced me was that the poster ( I think over on AS.com) sold me on the fact he did the change in 15 minutes-in the parking lot-of the parts place.

[1Gary]

Well-the part that convinced me was that the poster ( I think over on AS.com) sold me on the fact he did the change in 15 minutes-in the parking lot-of the parts place.

The part that bothers me is I understand you have to cut a body reinforcement rib out of the way.I wouldn't suggest you do that.........

[Meterpig]

Well-the part that convinced me was that the poster ( I think over on AS.com) sold me on the fact he did the change in 15 minutes-in the parking lot-of the parts place.

The part that bothers me is I understand you have to cut a body reinforcement rib out of the way.I wouldn't suggest you do that.........

That's interesting. I didn't read that part. Here is the thread.
http://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.ph ... or#p106166

Didn't say anything about a support-unless that support is less than 1/2 an inch.

[Cobra]

people here have done it too but unless you either run your tank empty all the time and burn the pump out or buy really cheap garbage ones it doesn't make much sense since you'll almost never use the hole (hopefully) cutting the hole with tank and pump in place can be dangerous as well if you wanted to do it i would say drop the tank then cut hole and change pump (while tank is out) then reinstall everything. I'm not sure where you are but rust is a major problem here and any bear metal is a bad thing so cutting treated metal isn't the best idea here.....

[chevymaher]

Not to mention it is more work cutting the hole than dropping the tank.

[doyoulikeithere]

I had to use a 5/16" 12 point socket to adjust the brakes on my Freightliner. The heads were 4 point, not 6 point, and, as they do not make 4 point sockets...

I have a handfull of 8 pointed sockets.

[Meterpig]

Just so I am reading this right, dropping a 27 gallon tank-with residual fuel, vent lines, main line, straps...is easier and quicker than cutting a 6 x 6 hole in sheet metal? Not too mention, futzing around under the van with a tank over my head?

[MountainManJoe]

I'm with the other guys. I have a 11 yr old pump that still works great. How often are you really gonna do that?
A weak and rusty floor doesn't seem worth it to me. Besides, it gives you the opportunity to check the condition of all the other "futzy" parts you mentioned. That's why I do all my own work instead of giving it to someone else.