since it was such a beautiful day today, and my baby runs clear out of gas at the white line on E, I wanted to drop the fuel tank, clean all that garbage out, and see if i could adjust something for the fuel gauge issue. and for the learning experience.

took me a while to figure out you have to release the parking brake to get to that driver'* side hanger bolt. Finally figured that out, and got to work. Broke both bolts loose, and started loosening the driver'* side first. It popped real loud, just as if the bolt were breaking, i tell some profane language, and continue loosening, with much to my surprise i can see the entire bolt loosening.. but it isn't loosening ****. it moves somewhat smoothly, but it still feels like i'm doing something. feels like i'm removing a bolt. then i thought maybe loosening the passenger'* side one putting weight on that bolt may make it come loose. wrong. same **** happens on that side too.

how do i get this off? btw, tank is empty, i mean bone dry, so it doesn't have a whole lot of weight to it. i'm afraid if i just leave this and i hit a big bump it'll drop the tank, send sparks flying and explode and then i'm dead. that'd be bad..

It sounds like you broke the threaded insert for that bolt. There is a threaded nut-like part that is welded to the top of the tank bolt mount. It'* similar to what happened to one of my subframe bolts. It just keeps turning and turning without the bolt coming out?

If this is the case, I'd cut the strap so the tank can be lowered and moved away from the vehicle. Next, cut the bolt with a cut off wheel. find a grade 8 bolt the same length as the other and matching nut. The nut will probably have to be welded cause I don't think you can fit a wrench up there to hold the nut while tightening.

awesome, sounds like loads of fun.

yes, the bolt turns no prob, but goes nowhere, tightening does nothing either. Woulding cutting the straps yield themselves useless later on? I'd need them to go back on . I think grinding the bolt head off may be the best option, then getting the leftover stud off somehow and then going from there with replacement parts. grade 8 for sure.. i don't think you can get a lower grade with a 15mm bolt head :?:.

also, for anyone interested, I got two bottles of lucas trans fix, drained out two quarts of fluid, poured in the magic, and just ran her through the gears for the time being. Today I was able to take her on some back roads, and I have 1st gear back, and 3rd and OD slip a bit under power, but just cruising it'* smooth as glass.. so I have to accelerate in 1st and 2nd, then drop her into OD to cruise. Not too shabby for a blown tranny eh?

You would have to buy a new strap. I believe they're rather cheap so you might want to just grab two. Try to cut off the head and as much of the threads as you can. this will help in getting the rest out from the top.

is the tank rusty? if it is, you might as well replace it, they are pretty cheap.

If not, check for rust near the filler neck, and on top of the tank. Those are common places to rust..

BTW, it is a PIA to remove and install the tank if you don't have a long enough bolt, so get the longest ones you can find, and weld em to the top. Stick strap on, screw in, and you can get it nice and tight.
BTW, don't forget to double check everything before installation, i had to learn the hard way.
Install a new strainer on the bottom of the pump while you are at it.

is my current setup safe leave? No matter how cheap the straps are, I don't have the money. I only have like $5, which would have been enough for new bolts. I spent the rest of my cash on that lucas stuff and a few gallons of gas .

whether or not it'll survive a short stint of driving is one matter. Whether or not you want to *chance* it is another story.

I wouldn't. Pay to play.

Whoa, the nuts for my 92'* straps, as well as my parents 92 Olds 88 are on clips that pull off. You can get them at Autozone. Maybe they are the same on yours.