I am in the process of removing a gas tank from a 1973 maverick and have run into a problem. First, how do I remove the sending unit to remove the gas and second, how do I remove the filler spout from the tank? The filler tube is connected to the tank with a rubber grommet and I cannot seem to pry or pull it loose. I have removed the screws holding the filler neck to the body and the sealing gasket around the filler tube and the floor of the trunk. I have sprayed WD40 onto the filler tube/rubber gasket to help loosen the bond, but still no luck. Any Ideas? Thanks Tony
Tony, You need to drop your tank with the filler neck still bolted in. Then being patient wiggle and twist the tank from the filler neck. I just pulled mine off last week out of my 73 Grabber. I even had to just plain pull and push down on the tank to get it off the filler neck. Remember it's been stuck on there for a good number of years! It will come off. It's only pushed into the tank and the rubber grommet is the only thing holding it in. Hope this helps! Jake
Tony, Is your tank full of gas? If so be careful pulling your sending unit out to draine it. Try syphoning the gas out first. If not expect to have alot of gas everywhere! Otherwise just drop it with the gas in it putting a jack underneath the tank with a wide piece of wide for padding and insulation against sparks and dents. There should be a locking ring on the sending unit holding it in. use a wide flat tip screwdriver or similar tool to tap the locking ring off with a mammer. Same direction as any screw or bolt. Once it is off the sending unit it should easily come out with only minimal force from a screwdriver up under the lip, and prior up. Sorry for the duoble response. Jake
jake thanks for replying to this post as I had the same issue as the original poster. until I came across this thread I was doing it ALL WRONG lol your knowlege was VERY HELPFUL thankyou
I didn't think it was that hard to remove the gas tank..up here with the rust we have, they use to remove themselves...
Thanks for the tip, we weren't sure if there was anything we were missing to get the tank down out of my son's new 77 4-door Maverick that he bought to go with his 71 2-door Maverick. If the garage floor didn't get too wet from being open with the nose out in the rain last night, hopefully he can get it out this weekend! By the way, best price I found so far for a SPIF30 tank is $128.35 w/free shipping Dave Pyatt in NE Ohio
Don't remove the sending unit umless it's leaking. Remove the rubber hose and the electrical connector. Remove the straps and pull it downward. There is a rubber seal around the filler neck that it slides into. Lube that seal with glycerine or something when reinstalling.
