by Maechtlen El Monte » Fri Nov 13, 2015 12:24 am
Got the tank out a couple of days ago. I removed the fuel pump, and verified that it is bad. Since I will be upgrading to the supercharged motor soon, I'll need more flow than the '87 pump would deliver. I have the fuel tank out of the '98 Regal GS donor car, so I pulled the pump assembly out of it to inspect.
It would be convenient to swap the later fuel pump assembly into the Corvair tank. That would give me the nice engineered reservoir around the pump, dual filter socks, and other nifty features. However, the Regal pump assembly will extend to about 11" in depth - from mounting flange to bottom of tank.
The Corvair tank is more like 14" - Some folks cut a notch out of the top of the tank and put the mounting surface 1 to 2" below the top of the tank.
That would still leave the Buick assembly well off of the tank bottom. I measured the later pump, and it is the same diameter and length as the '87 pump. So, I can use the previous method and sneak it through the stock Corvair opening, if I choose. The fuel hose connection is much larger, so this would be the time to upsize the fuel feed through the tank sender assembly as well.
Oh - gas gauge? Yes, mine showed open circuit electrically. I popped it apart, and looks like it is just a bit crusty. Something about sitting around for over 20 years...
Oddly, the tank itself looks really good inside.
Looks like I might just clean it up and use it - assuming I don't destroy it while installing the larger fuel pipe, etc.
Jay Maechtlen
1961 coupe, custom fiberglass skin. Buick 3.8 V-6, automatic (transverse mid-engine)