1995 Formula, Fuel Pump Replacement

Hi Crew,

I'm selling my Formula, but it doesn't run because the fuel pump gave out, and no one will pay much for a non-running car. I'm familiar with the standard method of replacing the pump (drop the tank from the bottom) but there are apparently some people that have cut an access hole from the top using nibblers. I could try the tank-drop method, but I have to work alone in my driveway and have some concerns about getting the car high enough off the ground. Also, there is about 6 gallons in the tank that I can't get out. I've been trying to let it evaporate since I can't siphon it. Anyway, I'd like opinions on the cutting-the-hole method, and any links to do it. Please advise...

Formula, I've heard of a lot of people doing it that way. Cutting a hole just above the pump and fabricating a cover slightly larger than the hole and bolting it on. If you seal it up good and hide it well it would work and since you are selling it anyway.

By the way I should say that this is not the recommended way to fix.

For the life of me, why in the world did GM use a solid fill tube welded to the tank, is beyond moi......maybe for safety reasons in a rear end collision? It's because of this, you need to really jack up the rear end for clearance.....never mind the problems with rusted fuel and evap lines.....

GM could have saved a lot of money on warranty repairs, if an access hole was intalled for the fuel pump, like they did with "W" and "H" cars....

I never tried it on an "F" car, but sounds like a good idea....

Tech II, I've always said G.M as well as others should have let the techs design their vehicles or at least been advisers, a lot of headaches could have been avoided.

Yeah, some of the things they do just make you shake your head.....

I think I'm going to try it. I found some really good videos on youtube about it. The metal over the tank seems very thin, and I don't think it plays much of a role in the car's structural integrity. I'm more concerned about the sparks from the cutting wheel (I'm going to use a Dremel tool for a cleaner edge than a nibbler, which I don't have anyway) but there shouldn't be any fumes in the area if the pump seal is OK, and I have no reason to think it's not. I might chicken-out and use tin snips. Hard to empty the tank when you can't siphon, and the pump won't turn at all. I swear, the same guy who designed the opti-spark distributor and it's wonderful location had to have a part in this fuel pump design.

Now to find a pump, local stores don't seem to have any in stock. :runaround:

I'll try to remember to post my results. Thanks for the responses.

Never mind, I got an offer from someone willing to buy the car as-is. I would have tried it though.

No more F-bodies for me. Too much anguish. My next toy is going to have a highly exotic item called a carburator.

Formula, sound like a good plan! Best of luck.