Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

[Ron N.]

[Gary S.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

I removed the sheet thru the gas tank fill hole on my 67 coupe last year, but not sure it can be done safely (without damage to the sheet) on a convertible. Send me an email and I will send pictures and info. seymour@sosbbs.com

[Chris E.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

Ron, it really depends on how much glue the assembly worker happened to have used on your car. My tank sticker would ABSOLUTELY NOT have come out through the fuel door opening. The sticker had approximately 85% of the surface COVERED in glue. Yet, I've seen other stickers held on with just a small bit of glue.

You could try it, but it's almost better to leave it.

[Dennis O.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

Again, be very careful! I ruined mine trying to do this exact thing. Granted, it was 25 years ago and I have learned a lot since then, but I would wait and do it right. (not really a problem. since my car is a small block!)

[Jack C.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

A remote camera will work just to give you an idea on what may be there. I'm sure there are more expensive ones with more features. You can probably rent one.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/RIDGID-Remote-Inspection-Camera-1MAJ2

[Richard M.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

I bought this one at Harbor Freight. Very cool. Quite inexpensive. On sale right now for 110 bucks.

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital...era-67979.html

Rich

[Chuck S.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

In my opinion, if you have a build sheet, it would be insane to try removing it without dropping the tank. In fact, if I had a build sheet on my car, I would drop the tank, cover it with clear plastic and leave it there...but opinions vary.

The paper gets more rotten year by year. Owners post here lamenting the damage they did removing the build sheet from a tank laying on the floor. You only get one build sheet per car; screw it up and it's gone forever.

[Patrick B.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

Chuck has the right idea. It is really easy to ruin an old soft piece of paper glued to a tank. I removed the tank from my 67 435 convertible and found a very legible tank sticker that was well glued. Rather than risk pulling on it, I just cut a hunk out of the top of the tank with a SAWZALL without trying to separate the tank sticker from the metal. A tank sticker is worth more than an old rusty tank. If the car had been a 300 hp rather than a high option 435 with alum bolt-ons maybe I would have just photographed the sticker.

[Henry S.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

In my opinion, if you have a build sheet, it would be insane to try removing it without dropping the tank. In fact, if I had a build sheet on my car, I would drop the tank, cover it with clear plastic and leave it there...but opinions vary.

The paper gets more rotten year by year. Owners post here lamenting the damage they did removing the build sheet from a tank laying on the floor. You only get one build sheet per car; screw it up and it's gone forever.

I agree Chuck. You get a "onetimer" at this, either success or failure. Do you really want to do this with 41 year old paper? Even with a camera you're still dealing with something you can't see 100% with the naked eye. Unless you have a job working with cameras or mirrors I wouldn't risk it. The only thing I personally would do from the fuel door opening is make sure it is there. Dropping the tank isn't that difficult. Plus you can see the job number on the back side of rear compartment. On my 67 that was the only place I found it.

[Ridge K.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

When I first purchased my barn-find, 45,000 mile '67 L68 convertible, a very senior NCRS master judge taught me the technique of pulling the tank fill gasket over to inspect for a tank sticker...

Having said that however, I would never consider trying to remove the sticker thru this small opening. Just flat too risky.
We only used the crude inspection to confirm the tank sticker was in fact still in place.

Ridge

[Michael D.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

Look at it this way: you will never have another tank sticker. I would not risk trying to fish it through the fuel door opening.

[Larry M.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

In my opinion, if you have a build sheet, it would be insane to try removing it without dropping the tank. In fact, if I had a build sheet on my car, I would drop the tank, cover it with clear plastic and leave it there...but opinions vary.

The paper gets more rotten year by year. Owners post here lamenting the damage they did removing the build sheet from a tank laying on the floor. You only get one build sheet per car; screw it up and it's gone forever.

I agree with Chuck. Drop the tank and retrieve it. That is what I did to my 1967 convertible last year. I was glad I did. As soon as I had the tank down, I took detailed photos of the remaining sticker before removing from it the tank. Even if the glue is minimal, some damage will occur during removal. The 43 year old paper is too fragile. MUCH damage can result from trying to remove through the gas filler area. Don't risk it.

This job is a piece of cake to do. Did it by myself........and even at my age (64), it was not difficult.

Larry

[Mike B.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

Hey Ron,

I totally agree with Chuck Sangerhausen's comments. It would be insane to try yanking on a 44 year old PRICELESS piece of paper through the fuel door opening. Both of my Vettes were built before the tank sticker '67s and later cars. I would give more than the left one for that form of documentation! I watched a guy once rip half a sheet through the filler area due to his impatience. I just stood there and cringed.

I removed my gas tanks years ago and both had a fine layer of road dust on top. Thick enough that had there been a sticker there, it would've been very difficult to read. The camera idea is good, but I'd still drop the tank and then gently blow/brush it as clean as I could get it. Remove it, photograph it, cover it in clear plastic, or cut around it if the tank is shot.

Speaking of which....Hey Pat Boyd, good to see you posting! So what wall of honor did you hang said "Hunk of fuel tank from your '67 435" on anyway??

Mike '65, '66

[Gary S.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

Ron, it really depends on how much glue the assembly worker happened to have used on your car. My tank sticker would ABSOLUTELY NOT have come out through the fuel door opening. The sticker had approximately 85% of the surface COVERED in glue. Yet, I've seen other stickers held on with just a small bit of glue.

You could try it, but it's almost better to leave it.

Great thread...and removal of the tank sheet will make you sweat for sure. Always take pictures before, during and after. Document, document always. My small Sony digital camera was used to take the pictures attached.

I've had many vettes pass my way...well over 100 and removed many tank sheets. This is how I see it:
1. Always safest to drop the tank
2. Removal thru the gas fill hole might work on a coupe if:
A. You remove the fill neck, boot, gas lid and bezel.
B. Your tank sheet has minimal glue
C. You know where the glue is
D. Tank sheet is not glued on the straps or grooves of the gas tank
E. Paper is still reasonably strong and in tact.
F. Use a razor scraper and keep the blade pointed to the gas tank and work sideways on the paper's glue.

Pictures attached for your viewing pleasure of my last surgery. Note where glue was as shown on picture of backside of sheet. Next post is picture of tank after sheet removal.

[Gary S.]

Re: Bill Sheet Retrieval with removing the tank?

A couple more pictures one showing where tank sheet was and condition of sheet after removal