Since I'm new to this site, I hope this info gets out to those who replied to my inquiry on replacing my fuel tank on a 1990 2651 Ciera. I too had quotes from mechanics in the $2,000 range, even had two "experts" tell me no way it can be done without pulling the engine. Wrong. It's simple math: the tank has a space above the sending unit/fill side that is open to the rear of the tank below the aft/mid cabin. A tape measure showed it to be 48" long. The width measurement is easy from the engine compartment and it's obvious how deep it is. Both cabin doors were larger than those measurements so it will come out. I took pictures but don't know how to share them with all of you. Diconnect all batteries and remove vent, fill hoses and sending unit wiring.
The suggestion to drill holes in the cabin floor is the way to go. It gives you an idea where the open space ends and the stringers begin. Snap a line and start cutting, careful to set your depth of the blade to just larger than 1/2". Where a paper suit and mask; even with that I itched for 4 days! Once the floor is cut out, cut 10" up and across to take out a section of the rear wall. Use a sawzall to cut the corners around the tank that were glassed in. You need to lift the tank from the fill and feed pipe just enough to work a strap under the tank to the center. From the cabin lift the tank so the end closest to port tips out. Bring it out the two cabin doors! I cleaned the underside with Joy then sfter drying, lined the tank well with 1/2" styrofoam. I found a local fabricator that made me a new tank in 24 hours for $500! Set the new tank in, shim it as far to stern as possible then use spray foam in the four corners. Replace the support that was cut out with the floor with "l" brackets and atatch a piece of plywood under the piece of the rear wall to screw the floor piece to. The wall was replaced by using flat brackets on the inside wall. Silicone the cut and you're done! Don't forget to put gas back in!
Gas Tank
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