c1 gas tank

**John H.** · April 2, 2005, 03:37 PM

Re: c1 gas tank

Paul -

What kind of screws did you find that you don't have a tool for? BTW, there's a drain plug in the bottom of the tank, and it's accessible from below, with the tank installed, through an access hole in the underbody.

**Wayne P.** · April 2, 2005, 08:39 PM

Re: c1 gas tank

I assume you found clutch head screws. Most auto parts never even heard of these as they haven't been used for 40 years. You can use a regular straight screww driver is if fits tightly in the head. Be careful you don't ruin the head.

**paul bowers** · April 2, 2005, 10:02 PM

Re: c1 gas tank

john and wayne,
The screws turned out to be clutch heads and I discovered that those screws are used in mobile homes so I was able to buy a clutch screw driver at mobile home supply store which fit the heads, but you can bet I'm not replacing with same type screws, still don't know why G.M. decided to use those type screws
now I just have to get the tank cleaned and hope I can put it back in, the float was almost completely gone
thanks for your responses
paul

**Christopher R.** · April 2, 2005, 11:36 PM

Re: c1 gas tank

How are you going to clean the tank? Is it rusty in there? Eastwood has a kit for this. Works great. Radiator shops used to "boil out" tanks.

You can buy the float separately. Also get a new mesh filter (the "sock"). Try not to buy a new sending unit. There's been reports of trouble with new ones. Get a new gasket for the sending unit when you buy new screws. Why buy new screws now? You already have the clutch head screwdriver.

When you put this back together, add a ground wire from the sending unit to the frame.

**Willard M.** · April 3, 2005, 06:04 AM

Re: c1 gas tank

Many of the suppliers sell a set of clutch head drivers. I think Mary Jo lists them as well. I seldom need mine, but when I do they prove to be invaluable.

Bill #2659

**John H.** · April 3, 2005, 02:13 PM

Re: c1 gas tank

Paul -

You're going to find several other areas on a '57 with clutch head screws as well, in larger sizes than the sending unit; good idea to have a set in your toolbox. Corvette Central used to sell a 4-piece set from 5/32" to 5/16" I've had for years, and they currently have a 3-piece set (#101517) that will cover everything you need for about $13.00. I also have several sizes of clutch bits for ratchets made by Apex Tool, but they don't sell at retail (biggest supplier of bits and sockets to assembly plants).

**paul bowers** · April 3, 2005, 04:50 PM

Re: c1 gas tank

Chris.
there were already two wires on sending unit, one wire on a terminal in middle and one on one of the clutch screws ,do you mean to add a third wire plus the two already there to the frame, or if I have one on the clutch screw is that enough, also if my float was almost all eaten away would that make my gas gauge always read full or empty thanks
paul

**Christopher R.** · April 3, 2005, 10:02 PM

Re: c1 gas tank

Yes, there are 2 wires on the sending unit. One goes to the gauge (the one in the middle). The other is a ground from the harness that attaches to one of the 6 clutch head screws on the periphery of the sender. That ground is inadequate. Your gas gauge will jump up about 1/4 of a tank when you apply the brakes or the turn signals. To cure this, add an another and dedicated ground wire. That additional ground would be a third wire. All the C1 guys do this. It's easy when you're already in there. I ran my wire to the frame. I ran the wire alongside the fuel line. I terminated the wire at the fuel line clip to the frame. Didn't want to drill any more holes. I put the wire terminal under the fuel line clip in between 2 star washers. The other end goes onto one of the 6 clutch head screws on the sender.

If there were no float, the arm should sink, showing an empty tank on the gauge.

c1 gas tank

c1 gas tank

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