Hi,
I could use some advice on 69 Toronado fuel tank straps. I'm trying to drop the tank to get it refinished and replace the sending unit. The nuts are rusted on pretty good. They look clean enough, and I can get a flare wrench on one, but can't budge it (sprayed pb blaster). Mufflers are in the way to get a socket on cleanly. I got one mostly on, and impact driver wouldn't budge it. I could cut the straps, but I'm not sure I can find replacements. Parts list seems to omit 69 Toronado. I could try cutting the bolt, but I'm not sure what's going on above the bolt.

 

The bolts are just carrage bolts that slip into those slots on the body brace. Cut the bolts if you can before cutting the straps as you can get bolts from a local hardware store.

 

Yep it certainly appears to be a simple carriage bolt that slips into that slotted hole. I have a whole can full of 68-72 A body ones, but they’re somewhat different. Am lucky down here in the desert most of the time the nut came right off with a six point deep socket and the hardware could be cleaned and reused.

 

Thanks, that set me on a multi-day bolt cutting/grinding project in progress. These cars do make you redefine "patience". One I can get a socket on, but it doesn't budge, but is exposed enough I should be able to do a decent cut. The other is just hiding behind a muffler, so even dremel blade didn't cut through, so now I'm dremel-grinding the stub down.

 

You can use a prybar on the muffler to move it out of the way. Use a breaker bar or extend the handle of your ratchet with a length of pipe.

 

Got it! Thanks for suggestions - combination of all the above, and dremel cutting, dremel grinding, oscillating tool, impact wrench.

Any advice on getting the sending unit out? (Haven't tried yet.)

 

Use a screwdriver and a hammer to rotate the locking ring counterclockwise. In the photo below, the locking ring is the black circle above the sending unit. Once the locking ring is loose you will be able to pull the sending unit up and out. Be careful not to damage the float assembly.

 

Thanks, it rotated easier than I thought it would. The sending unit is busted anyway, one of the rationale to drop the tank. It's all gooped up, and that sock at the bottom just fell/ripped off of its own weight.
Thanks for all the help - I'll post a pic after the tank renu.