king_doodle

My son (16 yo) and I are working on his 1970 Impala. We just replaced the fueling sending unit and we're having trouble getting the gas tank back into position so I can bolt the straps down. Does anybody have some advice on a tall jack or other tool that could be used to hold the tank against the bottom of the car?

WannaBa442

I've used an ATV jack to lift things like that, even used it to R & R the powerpack on my '66 Corvair.
Usually they'll lift up to 30".

Olds64

I just use a hydraulic floor jack. Put a piece of wood between the tank and the floor jack so you don't dent or scratch the tank.

king_doodle

WannaBa442 and Olds64: Great advice. Thanks for your guidance. --Craig

Tedd Thompson

X2, never been that much of a problem so far ... Tedd

jaunty75

This is just what I did when I replaced the tank on my '78 Toronado. I used a 2 by 4 about the width of the tank between the floor jack and the tank to spread the load out.

oldcutlass

X3 on the floor jack and some plywood.

joe_padavano

I've found a trans jack to be the best. In addition to the long travel, the trans jack has tilt ability at the head, which can help with alignment.

Local Hero

I usually just lay it across my chest and roll under the car and bench press the tank back up into place and while laying on my back, hold it with my knees while I get the straps started. No joke.

That works best if the tank is near empty.

If it's not, then I use the block of wood on the floor jack technique.

jaunty75

Yes, but how many of us have on hand a transmission jack versus how many of us have on hand a regular floor jack?

Of course there's always a perfect tool for a particular job, but sometimes we have to work with what's on hand. I don't like to buy a tool, especially an expensive one, that I'm going to use only once unless I have no other choice. I don't change out the transmission on a routine basis, but I'm always jacking up the car itself to work on something. If I can make something I already have work, I'll do that.

lshlsh2

Used a floor jack with a chunk of 4x4 this weekend to drop mine. Will use it to put it back.

Olds64

x2...

Um, never mind. I like buying tools no matter what. If I can use them more than once then that's even better.

m371961

But he did ask for the best tool.

RROLDSX

I have a motorcycle jack that seems to be ideal for not only jacking my Harley but transmissions, rearends, gas tanks. I’ve also used it to help angle my motor/transmission combo installs in easier. Works great. Mine is a cheap HF part that I’ve used frequently since 2002.
https://shop.harborfreight.com/media...mage_24958.jpg

CRUZN 66

I use a trans jack... One of my trans jacks is designed so that it can be used with a lift or jack stands...

bccan

I have been using threaded rod/nut combo. 2 pieces of threaded rod appx 16" to 18" long, ran a die over so integral washer nuts spin easily, pull one tank bolt & replace w/ rod, same for the other. Hold the tank up a little, spin nuts by hand & walk tank down. Walk it up for install, works great.

king_doodle

A huge thanks to bccan, CRUZN 66, RROLDSX, m371961, Olds64, lshlsh2, jaunty75, Local Hero, joe_padavano, oldcutlass, Tedd Thompson, and WannaBa442. These are all excellent ideas. I really appreciate everybody’s assistance.

RetroRanger

prolly not the way you want to go but i jacked up my gas tank real good when i broke the driveshaft on my truck and put the stub end thru the side of the tank !!!!

king_doodle

Yikes! Yes, that's a special kind of 'jacked up,' RetroRanger. It sounds like one of my smooth maneuvers.