1977 e12 gas tank re/re
Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 8:20 pm
I recently removed the rusty old tank from the 77 530i and was surprised at how much trouble I had dropping it. After moving the exhaust out of they way and undoing the the three bolts I figured it would just slowing drop out like the the e24 tanks I've removed in the past. This tank seemed like it was about two inches two wide to come out.
this photo shows the outer side of the tank as its being lowered,the lower quarter panel curves in and holds the tank. I had to actually bend the quarter panel out and it still scratched the paint and scrapped the tank all up. Not a big deal as this tank is toast but the new tank in all shiney and nice I'd rather not have to bend the quarter panel again
IMG_0863 by Dave Grayson, on Flickr[/img]
The photo shows the left drivers side of the tank. the seam is jammed right against the spare tire well and won't let the tank move over at all
IMG_0864 by Dave Grayson, on Flickr[/img]
Also the filler neck prevents the tank from rotating much. I also scratched up the paint on the inside of the filler neck housing. I figured , OK I'll ask a few people and search up the topic. I haven't seen anyone else whos done the tank removal and refit even mention any problems with tank being tight. Is there a trick to doing this. I never had any problems at all with the various e24s I've done this on. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
this photo shows the outer side of the tank as its being lowered,the lower quarter panel curves in and holds the tank. I had to actually bend the quarter panel out and it still scratched the paint and scrapped the tank all up. Not a big deal as this tank is toast but the new tank in all shiney and nice I'd rather not have to bend the quarter panel again
IMG_0863 by Dave Grayson, on Flickr[/img]
The photo shows the left drivers side of the tank. the seam is jammed right against the spare tire well and won't let the tank move over at all
IMG_0864 by Dave Grayson, on Flickr[/img]
Also the filler neck prevents the tank from rotating much. I also scratched up the paint on the inside of the filler neck housing. I figured , OK I'll ask a few people and search up the topic. I haven't seen anyone else whos done the tank removal and refit even mention any problems with tank being tight. Is there a trick to doing this. I never had any problems at all with the various e24s I've done this on. Any suggestions would be appreciated.