Tank sticker question

[Chris E.]

I'm wondering, can I get at the tank sticker without pulling off the body? In other words, can I take the mufflers down, the spare tire holder and tire down, and drop the tank out somehow?

The reason I'm asking is that I've been finding more and more things that are original to our car, and the last piece of the puzzle is the tank sticker.

If I can get at it without pulling the body, how hard is it?

Chris

[Mark #28455]

Re: Tank sticker question

That's the best way to do it - just drop the tank. It's not hard, requires only basic hand tools and time.
Good luck,
Mark

[Joe L.]

Re: Tank sticker question

Chris-----

There is absolutely no need to lift the body from the frame to inspect or remove the tank sticker. You can do just as you surmise-----lower the exhaust, remove the spare tire assembly, and lower the fuel tank. It's really quite easy to do.

One thing that you should do first, though: open the fuel filler door and pull the rubber seal away from the left side. Then, with a flashlight peer into the area on top of the tank about 6-8" to the left of the filler opening. This is to make sure that there is still a tank sticker there. There may not be for a variety of reasons. If it's not there, you sure don't want to go through all of the effort to drop the tank to inspect it.

[Mike M.]

Re: Tank sticker question

pull the tank rubber anti-overflow boot from the filler neck and you may be able to see presence or lack of tank sticker before actually pulling the tank, which as mark relates is a relativly easy proceedure.mike

[Dave F.]

Re: Tank sticker question

I understand, though very rare, the tank sticker sometimes was stuck up under the dash, or even under the carpet. I have not personally seen this, but believe that I read about this on this board within the past year. Anyone have any experience with this???

[Kevin Whiteley]

Re: Tank sticker question

Chris,

Before you drop the tank in an effort to find the Order Copy, you should decide what you want to do with it. There are two schools of thought. Some say photograph and somehow protect the sheet on the tank WITHOUT removing it. Others believe that removing the document and protecting it with archival methods is the way to go. I say this because the document is nearly 40 years old and has been exposed to all sorts of conditions, and you don't want to just "razor blade" it off the tank without any preparation. Which ever way you go is going to be up to you. There are alot of pros and cons on either side. Good luck and I hope you find it.

[Chris E.]

TANK STICKER IS THERE!!!!!!!

I just pulled the fuel boot away from the top of the fuel filler,and I SEE THE STICKER!!! It looks like it's covered with about 2" of dust, and it totally illegible from the NASTY angle I'm looking at it from.

Ok, so now I need some PRETTY specific instructions on how to get the tank down. Here is what I'm assuming:

#1: Pull down spare tire and holder. (no issues other than bolts possible rusted)

#2: Unbolt mufflers and pull down (again, just rusted bolts to deal with)

#3: Gas tank (HELP!) What about the fuel line and such? What do I do?

I WANT TO GET AT THAT STICKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(can you tell I'm a little excited?????)

Chris

[Kevin Whiteley]

Re: TANK STICKER IS THERE!!!!!!!

Congrats!

First issue: don't smoke! I'm not too familiar with your model year, but on mine, I was able to loosen the muffler hangers and just push them to the side. I drove my car for an hour or so to get rid of alot of the gas, so there wasn't alot left in the tank. You will want to get rid of as much as possible because the liquid is heavy. The strap hangers should come off relatively easy, but before you do that, you will want to disconnect the flexible fuel line. What I did was disconnect the flex line where it connects to the hard line along the frame rail, so I didn't have to disconnect at the fuel inlet on the tank itself. You will also need to disconnect the electrical lead for the sender. Don't forget to disconnect the battery before messing with the fuel! Once the hangers are loose, gravity will do the rest. You could use some plywood or boards on a jack and lower it that way. Good luck.

[Chris E.]

Re: TANK STICKER IS THERE!!!!!!!

Thanks for the tips Kevin. Anyone else have any helpful suggestions?

Chris

[Patrick H.]

Re: TANK STICKER IS THERE!!!!!!!

Chris,

Based on my experience with my own cars, I'd now order a brand new gas tank from Quanta. Drop your own tank and LEAVE THE STICKER ON, replacing your tank with a brand new one. You now have the tank and sticker together for your car. Or, cover your sticker with clear plastic (like used for overhead projector presentations) and then tape the plastic on the tank.

Your odds of successfully removing the sticker are moderately low. Photograph it if you're going to put the tank back in place, protect it, and put it back. Your odds of losing it if it's on the tank (whether in the car or not) are a lot lower than if you try and put it somewhere else.

Patrick

[Chris E.]

Re: TANK STICKER IS THERE!!!!!!!

Good suggestions Patrick. Can you comment on how the stickers were attached to the tank? Were they taped at the edges or on the back? Just curious.

Chris

[Frank H.]

Re: TANK STICKER IS THERE!!!!!!!

The stickers were glued on to the tank, by applying glue to the tank with a brush
Then slapping on a tank sticker........your you hope!
Just like on your jacking instructions under the jack cover.

Also seldom found in the right pillar behind the vent...not as nice as a tank copy though if a piece is left.

Like posted above, make sure to get as many clear pictures first,

Digital would be best
If you plan to leave it, clean the tank around it, the plastic works great if you V notch the side of a silicone sealer tube or caulking tube tip then apply with the tube pointed straight down so sealer comes out the v in the side and apply well outside of the sticker and press the plastic sheet on it.
If you plan to remove it,
Another picture of you and (at least) two witness's with it still attached to tank, then your Trim and Vin tags once on your computer, copy and paste them to print all together then you and all witness's sign and date it. .........you never know....so it can't hurt.

Tips
1.
One or all sides may be loose, which is usual, but the middle section is the spot rushing will damage
3M Adhesive remover works good and is fast, if a corner is loose to get under and I have used without ever having any damage.

2.
But the best is pre-kleno or wax and grease remover, it is slow to release the adhesive but so mild.

3.
I had one (for 20 yrs) stained red so bad you couldn't read it.
I put pre-kleno in a cookie sheet and laid the sticker down, shook the pan lighly,then carefully picked it up, three times till nothing washed out any more.
Laid it on a stack of paper towels to dry, once dry their was NO stains left and still was a complete sticker(no,holes,tears)was not brittle and no ink loss of pen or teletype ink.
Note, different ink ribbons may have been used, so test a small spot first. PLEASE
FH

[Patrick H.]

Re: TANK STICKER IS THERE!!!!!!!

What is Pre-Kleno?

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: TANK STICKER IS THERE!!!!!!!

Glued as Frank notes.

I originally was going to clean up and seal my tank, then reinstall. After going through all the hassle, I wish I had just left the sticker on, as I ended up buying a new tank anyway.

Patrick

[Frank H.]

Re: TANK STICKER IS THERE!!!!!!!

Patrick

"wax and grease remover"
A mild solvent used in automotive refinishing
Pre-kleeno Prep-sol

I say that about alot of things I did decades ago,since joining the NCRS.
Listed are revisions to my mistakes as well as others on this subject.

FH
The new tank sounds like the best idea.