hmmm....invest in the 5/16" and 3/8" METAL fuel line disconnect tools - Advance has them for $15 each....kinda pricey for what they are but they made ALL the difference disconnecting the lines from the tank...and the lines ARE two different sizes, so you'll need both.

Something else I didn't realize - there is actually a filler tube inside the filler tube that extends into the rubber hose that attaches to the fuel tank's filler neck...so if you didn't know that (like me), you may think that as soon as you loosen the clamp on the larger diameter filler hose that you can pull it out of the way from the metal tube extending down from the gas fill door.

also...the tank straps are actually on top of the tank and loosen from the front on the top of the crossmember.

 

That second tube is the "breather."

Look around on YouTube for instructions on how to use the quick disconnect tools. They don't make much sense when you first look at them... but once you see how to use 'em, you feel stupid for not figuring it out on your own.

 

I knew how to use the quick-disconnect tools...my mistake was thinking the "cheapo" plastic ones that I'd used on the fuel filter would work on the fuel pump lines...just couldn't get enough leverage with them in the limited space near the tank/pump. The "more substantial" metal ones, with their handle, allowed more leverage against the fitting.

 

I was directing that more at Edgethis since you've already used it. :-)

 

my bad ...just woke up from a nap...still a little groggy

 

Lol thanks guys, I know how to use the fuel disconnects, unfortunately the PO didnt so I'llk prolly have to run new lines or at least part of them.

 

that SUCKS!

I was actually afraid my lines were hosed (pun intended ) when I couldn't get them to disconnect with the flimsy plastic tools.

I was VERY relieved when I was able to disconnect them with the metal tools.

 

Ok...so I took it for a state safety inspection today...just to get a shortlist of the things that I'd need to repair to go beyond a temp tag and get permananent hard tags.

I didn't even put new wiper blades on it yet, because I figured I'd just do that with the rest of the items I was sure might show up on my list.

Imagine my surprise when the inspector gave it a 100% clean passing "bill of health"!!! (not even a burnt out light bulb needing replacement!)

He was as amazed with its "state of preservation" as I was....so it just keeps getting better.

 

right on..its not everyday you get that lucky on that one. usaully they find something to hit ya on

 

Spent ~9 hrs today...buffing, waxing, painting tire carrier and wiper arms, cleaning carpet...pretty happy with the progress:

 

Hold on you live in MD?

 

I sure do!

 

She cleaned up nice !!

 

Thanks! She's comin' along, little by little...today I fixed the water leak in the tailgate - the PO had removed the center section inside and left it off for God knows how long, so every time it rained (except for the last year it sat in a garage), water would soak the cargo area...there's a significant amount of surface rust under the carpet...not awful, but still...the next nice warm dry day we have, I'll yank the carpet and treat the rust before I put the carpet back down. I reinstalled the center panel in the tailgate and caulked it "like a bathtub" The actual weatherstripping around the tailgate and rear window appear to be in fine shape...I spray-siliconed them and wiped them down so hopefully no more water will get in back there.

I also secured the coolant overflow/windshield washer bottle...the PO had it halfway-tied-down with a piece of plastic covered clothesline...because the outer mounting tab had broken off. I just drilled a couple holes through the bracket it originally mounted to and secured it with a couple sheet-metal screws..not a "concourse" fix...but secure without having to buy a new reservoir. Looks MUCH better than the clothesline

So...once I get all the little things taken care of...she should be good to go...I'm just thankful that most of the issues have been very minor.

 

Looks damned good - especially considering the price tag. That's the only other generation of Bronco that I like. The '78-'79 and '92-'96 are the awesome.