Well, I hate to admit it, but I've reached a point in my disassembly that has stumped me. The gas tank is ready to come out (fuel line disconnected, filler neck and sleeve removed), but the threaded studs for the tank straps are too long for a long socket, and the space up there is too narrow for a box end. How do I get to the nuts? Any suggestions? What am I missing?

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1976 Type LT (http://www.geocities.com/patgizz/76maro.html) Restification (in progress)

1968 2 door sport coupe (http://members.home.net/brownjs/cars/68camaro/68camaro.htm)...the toy!

1971 Camaro RS, all original, 1 owner...wife's baby! (http://members.home.net/brownjs/71rs.gif)

The Monday Nite Car Club! (http://mncc.freeservers.com) (New site)

Is your deep socket a 3/8 or 1/2 inch drive? The 1/2 inch is usually somewhat longer. A couple things come to mind. First try putting the socket on a 5" extension but do not push it all the way on. Let it set against the detent ball. Then place it on the bolt and see if it will reach the nut. Sometimes this works even if you can only get partially on the nut. If that won't work place just the socket on the bolt and if room allows grip the socket with a pair of vise grips. This won't help the finish on your socket but may allow you to back the nut off far enough to get it with a ratchet. Lastly the opposite end of the gas tank strap is secured to the underbody by two sheet metal screws. You may be able to remove these screws and work the straps off their attaching brackets. This would allow the tank to come out and you could get access to the rear nuts with a wrench.

Good luck,

John

I had the same problem on my 69. You can also try a larger socket that can 'fit' the square base of the one that goes over the strap bolt and loosen it enough to proceed with the right one on your ratchet. Also, all deep sockets are not the same. My impact deep ones are longer and being 1/2" I can use an adapter when needed for my 3/8".

You can tack weld a nut ( one that will go over the bolt ) to a socket that fits the nut then use another socket to fit the welded nut. After reassembly, grind tack weld off of socket. Another option is shorten the bolt with a hack saw. Be carefull around the empty gas tank since you don't want to blow the tank off the car.

I also used an 1/2 deep well socket. I put the socket on first then the impact wrench. Also spray some WD-40 or some other penatrating oil to help get the bolt off easier.

69 plain jane(musty and rusty)

Don't be surprised if after all that WD-40 soaking that the bolts still break. Mine did when I dropped the tank on my 67. I'd replace them anyway.

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Racer#00

Plain Jane 67
76 Trans Am Stock Car
74 Z28 (Basket case)

Plan on replacing the nut and bolt. Dremel tool with reinfored cutoff disc to remove extra bolt length(about 20 seconds to do). Then go in with deep socket.