What to do\check while engine is out?

while the engine is out it is a good time to check the status of your fuel tank. it is the only time you can get at the tank, I would pull it have it cleaned and inspected and go from there. Mine was in remarkably good shape, I had it powdercoated and reinstalled.



Gary #06984

Without regard to engine maintenance, here's a couple of thoughts.

If you have ever considered fuel tank mods or maintenance, now's the time. I'd look inside for any signs of rust. Some people seal them. Mine was pristine so I didn't but I did blast and paint the exterior. There can also be a lot of crud that tends to collect behind the tanks that can lead to body rot. If you were ever going to consider modifying the pick up line (larger) or installing provisions for a return line, now would be the time. Sometimes the rubber hose that connects the filler to the tank is rotted, good time to attend to this.

If you haven't upgraded to stainless coolant tubes and have considered such, you can install one piece tubes on both sides while the engine and trans are out, but not while they're in.

If you've installed a removeable cross member, great. If you still have an e-brake, you might consider installing a removeable e-brake bracket. Makes dropping the oil pan practical.

I detailed my engine compartment, fabbed and added a stainless steel fire wall with good sound suppression material as well. Sort of depends on the car. You can get carried away.

Kelly

If you decide to coat the inside of the gas tank, make sure that the coating stands up to today's fuels. In Hawaii our fuel is all "diluted" with ethanol which eats up the rubber pieces in our fuel system. I was told when shopping for a gas tank coating that like fuel system rubber parts, only a very few will stand up to the many available fuel additives. The one that was recommended by many was Damon's Red Kote. I used this, very easy to use and seals forming a bladder that stops rust and seals small holes.

Also take a look at the brake line, clutch line and vacuum tube that goes under the car. Now is the easiest time to replace them.

quote:

Originally posted by 4NFORD:
If you decide to coat the inside of the gas tank, make sure that the coating stands up to today's fuels.

Dunno about this product. It may be great. But to Dennis' point, I've heard many horror stories about the slow degredation of coatings/liners causing major fuel systems problems later. I was relieved to see the condition of the interior of my tank. If there was a problem, I decided that I would have either used steel shot and agitation, or possibly dilute hydrochoric acid soultion followed by basic wash to neutrlize.

Always respect the fuel tank in regard to potential ignition sources. Lot's of people get hurt making fuel tanks repairs.

The engine in my car was basically stock. The engine in the wrecked Pantera that I bought had some work done to it just prior to being wrecked. It has roller rockers, cam, stud girdles. So I sold the motor from my car and this one is going in.

We manually turned the crank before starting it up. It spun easilly and freely. We bypassed the gas tank with fresh fuel from a can. After fuel got into the system, it started up and ran fantastic. It sounded awesome with the GTS pipes (they will be going on my car too). It idled nicely and has a bit of a cam. When we removed tha valve covers, everything on the inside was spotless.