GOTCHA!

So it isn't off to the wreckers!

I just used nuts and bolts from Sears Hardware, but this was for my truck which didn't have special nuts.

Dealer item? or maybe you can get away with just nuts and bolts.

This is not the time or place for jokes.

Yeah, umm, with mine, there is barely any room between the car body and tank, so they had to put a self fastening clip/nut on the bracket so you just turn the bolt to back it out....but mine...the not or whatever on top broke loose from the clip and spins with the bolt.

I know it'* not a bonneville, but i had the same issue with my 88 grand prix.

It had the same clip setup, and i broke them trying to remove the tank to replace my failing fp. I ended up cutting the straps, cutting off the bolts, and getting new clips from the local dealer- they even had them in stock. I got the straps from advance or autozone, and the bolts from the hardware store. I cut the straps because i was verry worried about damaging the very rusted fuel tank.

I had a simular problem with the strap bolt under the cab. I had to make myself a custom bent open end wrench to hold that end.

Is the other strap bolt the same size? (so we know what size the nut is.)
Do you have enouogh room to work a wrench in there, if it were bent the right way?

Mine had to be bent 90 in the middle then the head end bent 90 (parallel to the handle) and rotated 45 degrees so it could slip on the nut.

You can if you like. They really are'nt as special as that. They are just "speed" nuts. Down here, the local "Lowes" hardware store has them. (specialty fasteners cabinets) You can also use a comon bolt, fender washer, and nylock nut to bolt the strap back up.

if you look at the pics on page three, you will see two different bolt pics, yeah. they're the same size.

dealer has em? good. ok. so just getting the bolts OUT is gonna be the fun part. ok. we'll see how this all goes.

Just a little update so you guys know whats going on with it. Finally finishing up the fuel portion of the thing today, going out there in about 5 mins to finish it up and then shes getting FIRED UP!

I have someone lined up to do the brake lines for me. I'm discovering that I'm a little bit too busy to be doing this all myself on my schedule. But finally a good sunday to get some stuff done.

So.

Tank has been dropped, old pump removed, new one installed, tank is now reinstalled, had a bit of a tank strap nightmare. Currently all that is left is to just reinstall the lines, re hang the exhaust, put a wheel back on and fire her up. I'll try and get some reference pics and stuff.

So did you end up cutting the straps?

So I hate to say anything against the do it yourself spirit, but lacking even the most basic of tools, I would like to add that a few months ago, I had my fuel pump die, and being the novice that I am I had a mechanic replace it for me, And I got a heck of a deal (I thought) $350 to replace the pump. In that $350 was the 16 mile tow, the cost of the pump, the cost of a new fuel filter and "sock" for the pump, and the labor to do it all. And best of all I had my car the same day it died. So I know that sounds kinda high, but considering the tools Id need to have to do it myself, I considered it a bargain, I do however do alot of the things I can on my car by myself (plugs, Wires, etc etc) just not the major mechanical things, Like removing the gas tank.

John, it sounds like you have been busy.