Ahh, the soul satisfying feeling of progress and putting things back on the car!
The first step was to install the new leaf springs, spring shackles, bushings, and struts. Other than wrestling 6′ long, 50 pound chunks of steel on my back in cramped quarters they went back in surprisingly easily. These new springs and bushings should tighten up the rear end nicely.
The actual rear end is still out being rebuilt, but all the suspension is in place. Should be able to just slide it in and bolt it up. Hey, it could happen!
The old gas tank seemed to be in good shape, so I kept going back and forth on whether to reuse it or replace it. I finally decided to just go ahead and get a new one.
When the new gas tank showed up I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was made in Taiwan and is really well made. I was expecting a flimsy tank with marginal fit. Instead, the new tank is at least as heavy as the original and looks absolutely identical. With, of course, the exception of being clean, shiny, rust free, and plated for corrosion resistance…
I had also purchased a new sending unit as the old one never read right – it never showed above half full, even after a fillup. I checked the calibration of the new sending unit while it was on the workbench – right in spec for empty and just a couple of ohms out of spec for full. This should work out just fine.
Just out of curiosity I checked the old sender. It showed infinite resistance – obviously an open circuit; looks like something has rusted through. It went straight into the trash.
With the new tank, sender, and fill spout assembled it was time to see if it fit. I was able to get it into position using a floor jack. Just as it was going into its final position I remembered that the jute insulating pad that goes on top of the gas tank was still sitting on the workbench. Oops! At least I hadn’t completely installed the tank.
So, let down the jack, position the jute pad on top of the tank, jack it back up, and slide/tilt/wiggle the filler neck in place. Install the straps, tighten the J-bolts, and the tank was installed. Everything fit exactly like the original tank – I’m quite happy with this new tank!
The filler neck goes to a door in the middle of the back bumper, between the bumper and the trunk lid. There is a big rubber fitting that holds it in place. Rub a little dish washing detergent on the rubber, slip it into place, and everything is aligned and positioned just like the original.
At this point the only thing left for the fuel system is to run a new gas line to the engine. I’m going to wait until the engine is in so that I can fit the new line the way I want it.
Next: Differentially Enabled