Im tring to drop my gas tank but i want to know if its necessary to take the straps completly off or will the two bolts at the rear near the bumper do the job its a 1972 olds cutlass

 

probably need to remove the straps so you have room to drop and move the tank towards the front of the car so the fill neck will clear the bumper etc.

 

I loosened the back bumper bolts and removed the front ones so the tank could slide forward. Hit them with some penetrating oil the day before starting the job.

 

I agree. There's no way you'll get the tank off without taking the straps completely off. They're not that difficult to remove, anyway, as long as the tank is otherwise supported and not putting weight on them.

 

Drain all the gas you can from the tank. It will make the job easier.

Larry

 

Not that difficult to remove - in theory maybe! I thought they had rust in Ohio.

 

Nope. No rust here.

 

Had rust in Va. where mine was from. Mine had to be cut, It was Grade 8 fun.
Larry

 

Yes, just like the others say. If your straps and bolts are rusted it will be a PITA. Just buy new stuff for the reinstall. Makes life easier. You changing the fuel sending unit or is the tank leaking?

When you drop the tank, if it's not a Lansing car you might find a build sheet on top of it.

Please be sure to post pics of the project.

 

I've tried soaking mine with penetrating oil for WEEKS in advance and I still always always end up cutting. I lived without a fuel gage for two years in my 83 Regal . Waited till I had to replace the tank (because of rust) to fix the sender. God bless Rustachusetts.

 

If you can jack the car's rear axle up about 8 to 10 inches (I rested my rear tires on cinder blocks - front tires on ramps and jacks under the axle)...you can remove the two bolts and drop the tank down and forward under the rear axle on a floor jack without removing the straps completely.

I replaced my sending unit by dropping the tank this way:

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...placement.html

 

Thanks everyone for your input all of it was very helpful....