Well - I suppose I should update this thread for everyone’s amusement.
Replaced gas tank with an E-bay $130 aftermarket piece - as recommended by the Grassroots article, it fits live a glove - anyone with an old tank shouldn’t even think of trying to repair it - just buy one of these. Make sure you order one of the later model tanks - designed for the in-tank pump. As I’ve learned, there is an in-tank siphon that is driven off the fuel return line from the engine - it looks like the siphon is in the new tank as well - I just hope it works once I start putting some racing G forces on it. Also replaced the fuel return line up front -from the rail to the firewall - it was old and crusty…
While the exhaust & driveshaft were out, I decided to tackle a shifter replacement - and that was another learning experience. Turning the plastic bushing 90 degrees did not free the shifter handle/ball as advertized. Since I was replacing the front shift console bushings anyway, I just detached the entire console from the trans and the tunnel mount - and pulled the entire assy out of the car. Once on the workbench, I was able to press in the tabs on the shifter bushing and release it from the console. Installing the console back into the car was no big deal, but I had already removed the rear trans mounts and let the back of the tranny drop down so I had more room to work above the trans. I don’t think I could get a shifter console in or out without dropping those mounts out. Shifter feels much better now
Next up was replacing the engine & trans mounts - the engine mounts were loads of fun to align - but I think I may have the transmission crossmember installed backwards - still waiting for expert comment on that one.
Reinstalling the new guibo was easy, but the driveshaft would not extend enough to start the bolts to the trans flange. So off the driveshaft came again - the slip joint splines were nicely rusted - and the joint had seized into a “short” position -probably when I was beating on it to free it from the trans pilot shaft. A good spline cleaning and greasing - and all is well now… she slides nice…
Installing my spec exhaust was much easier the second time - after I welded up some pin holes from the first awesome fabrication job.
After a nice face washing with 89 octane repairing a fuel leak at the filter (I will never again use those worthless “fuel injection” hose clamps - she fired up and ran like a champ. Just long enough for me to notice the green drip drip drip from the front air dam - I think my water pump sealing issue has re-appeared. I guess I get to re-seal my new pump after all - oh joy…
Jim
