I am trying to fix the fuel gage in my daughters 1987 Frod Bronco. I think it worked at one time but it doesn't now. I can't seem to fit my hands abpve the tank where I think the send ing unit is...so I'm thinking it might be best to drop the tank and check all the connections as wellas the sending unit.

Does anyone have some tips from experience they would like to share for trying to accomplish this. I would apprecaite any help you can share. Thanks

Kevin

 

A common mod is to cut a hole in the floor to get access to the fuel pump and sending unit from the top without having to remove the tank. When you're done, make a patch panel and use RTV and screws to seal it back up. You then have a removable access panel that you can use any time you need to access the fuel pump in the future. Here's a step by step how-to: 1983 Ford Bronco Bronco Fuel Pump Access Hole pictures, videos, and sounds | SuperMotors.net

 

Thanks for the quick response..you guys are all very helpful. I think cutting a panel opening sounds to be best and better in the long run....heard it before...but thought maybe there was an easy way to drop that baby...NOT!
Thanks Again! My daughter will be soooo happy. Watching the odometer....just doesn't work for her she says!

 

How do you cut a hole in metal without making sparks and causing on fire??

 

The gas tank is sealed and (shouldn't) let any vapors escape. That's what the evaporative emissions system is for. It's ok if you make some sparks, although I would orient the cutoff wheel so that it throws most of the sparks up, not down towards the tank.

 

Do you have the skid plate holding it up? If so, you might want to check how much rust is between them. I and to replace the pump and thought about cutting a hole, but ended up dropping the tank and I'm glad I did. The bottom of the tank was almost rusted through and there was all sorts of 28 year old sediment in the bottom of the tank. New tank, new pump/sending unit, seals and hopefully I won't have to drop it again for a while.

Just a thought, but it would suck to cut a hole, only to end up having to drop it later

 

I have a clean rust free floor on my 78. No way in hell I would cut a hole in it. By the time you do that and manufacture a patch panel to cover the hole you can drop the tank.

 

Yeah...I been thinking about that. Besides being one of those "oops cut too far jobs" that turns into a marathon job. I've got so many other projects to do I hate to even start on this...hoping it doesn't turn into a waaayyy bigger job than I need. Why do they have to make things so hard! Thanks for all of your input guys. I'm ponderin'.

 

I just replaced the tank in my '81. If you can get the tank drained it is an easy job. I had the big tank with the plate under it. disconnect the fuel line, remove eight bolts, and drop it down. Used a couple jack stands to hold it in place while I bolted it back in.

 

+1

I would add to spray the bolts/nuts down for a few days prior with PB Blaster.

I used a floor jack and a couple 24" 2x10s to stabilize it lowering it slowly.

 

I just replaced my tank in my 90 due to rust between the skid plate and the tank. Found large gobs of siliconish material from what appereared to be the last owners quick fix. Wasn't much to it. 4 or 6 bolts?
And as far as being empty, at ten mpg or less(and a rusty hole) how long does it tank to drain the tank

 

I've pulled the carpet before after my river crossing. That also involves pulling all the junk out including the speaker box. . much easier to drop the tank.
Not to keen on cutting holes in my truck either:\

 

There's also no reason to do that with your '78 as it's not fuel injected and the pump is on the engine block.