56 Wagon Gas Tank Removal

[rupzip]

Hey folks...just found this board. Virgin Post!

My son and I were trying to remove the $%#&* gas tank from my 56 two door wagon. Got the straps off. Got the long filler neck removed. But can't quite pivot it down enough so it gets below the axle.

What am I missing?

Thanks!

David

[gss1955]

David,

I've never owned a wagon, yet! But I remember an old timer telling me that getting the gas tanks out of them is a pain in the rear. Is the tank hitting the axle when you pivot it to get it out? Are you removing the tank with the car on the ground? If so maybe putting it up on jack stands may give you more clearance. The stands would go under the frame not the axle, this way the axle can drop down a little and hang further.

[henrys57wagon]

Hello and welcome to TriFive. Yes the wagon tanks are a pain which is why some have removed the tire well and used a sedan tank. You can do different things to get the tank out, the best is to unbolt the rear springs shackles and let the diff swing down until the tank comes out(properly support the car on stands and use a jack under the diff, or as I have done unbolt the diff at the spring perches and slide the diff forward but that is not the best if you still have the driveshaft installed. Have fun with your wagon and try and post pictures. You don't say where you live, might be some of us close to you to help you out, good day, Henry.

[carls 56]

hi ya and welcome david! sorry don't know anything about wagons i'm not going to say anything about the "virgin " thing :eek: i already get into enough tbl :p

[ajunkman]

Not much fun but I had to do my delivery and had to remove the rear axle. A lot of work....so while I had the axle out, I change out the leaf springs and everything else to new so I didn't have to do it later.

[56-210sedan]

Welcome to TriFive

[rupzip]

Thanks for the advice.
Maybe i should just bolt it back up in there...!

The problem is no fuel -- I replaced the fuel pump, so figured the gas tank was plugged. Now -- I just dont know what to do.

I live in Denver BTW

[gss1955]

David,
You'll probably better off dropping the rear and taking the tank out. This you can have it clean or replace it. Inside the tank in the end of the fuel line is the "sock" when a tank start to corrode the dirt and rust can clogged the sock. If you're not getting any fuel and you've replaced the pump a clogged sock is deffinately possible.

[Chevynut]

I agree with going ahead and removing the tank to clean or replace it. YOu don't want years of junk in your fuel lines and carb. While you have the axle out you can clean it and paint it too.

Welcome to Trifive...I'm only an hour north of you.

[oewall]

Yes they are a pain I just dropped the tank in my 55 wagon today and it looks like it is about ready to fall out until you finally have to kick it out!

any advice about coating the tank, looks like a little light rust coating inside. I was surprised the tank acutally had a drain on it!

Orie