Hi all,

I got the new tank, sender, and straps in....Blew out the fuel lines. Only thing left is to get the fuel pump off the motor.

Problem is the bolts look stripped. Im working on the ground with the car jacked up and on stands, so its not the easiest thing to see (and get at) the bolts.

What I think I see is the front bolt looks like a "bolt and nut" arrangement, but that doesnt seem likely to me.. (could be my old eyes!)

PLease let me know any tips or advice you have for getting this puppy out.
thanks !

The fuel pump should be attached with two bolts. Once the lines are free, the pump should be able to be dislodged once the bolts are removed, then brought down and out.

A bolt and nut generally means that the original bolt was dropped and lost, and a longer bolt put in that was too long for the job, so the nut was used to tighten down the pump. Back off the nut first.

If the bolts are stripped, you can use the pump to attempt to influence the bolts outward while ratcheting them out, you may be able to grab good threads to back out the bolt. As it comes away from the block, an oak 1x2 is my favorite tool for persuading objects to back out without damaging them.

Also bare in mind that the orginal bolt heads from the factory are actually 12 point hexes, not the usual 6 if I remember correctly.

And its tough to get straight on the bolt heads - a u-joint in front of the socket works well.

It is attached with 2 bolts. They do look like a 12 point hex heads, that may have been stripped. I dont have a set of 12 point wrenches.

Also the fuel line that goes to the carb is frozen on. Cant get that sucker off.

I started trying to get a vise grip on them, gonna try that again tomorrow. . Not alot of room to work from beneath. Do you think I should work from above or below?

If it really is stubborn, I think I might have to take off the ps pump to work on it from above ....

Ill try to upload some pics
Thanks ! keep the suggestions/tips coming !

I would try from above. I just got done with a rebuild and I did almost all my work from above except starter,trans,minor stuff. Need some good Liquid Wrench type stuff for the fuel line to help loosen up the line.

PB Blast the fuel line fittings overnight. Also are you using a good set of tubing wrenches. Well worth the investment and will keep you from wrecking the fittings.

Pb Blast and good 12 point socket got the pump bolts off, but I cant get the fuel line off ....

Ive PB'd it, wrenched it, even used the block of wood trick to keep the pump steady ... cant get the @#$ free

Im down to using a vise grip and no luck....Probably going to have to break the line and reorder a repro or bend a new one...

So close,,,, yet so far

Good tip on the 12 point socket by the way....Getting the 12 point socket took them out no problem....

The car has only 31,700 miles on the odometer...And so far, every bolt and nut except for this fuel line, has come off quite easily.... I truly believe the car to be an original low mileage vehicle.

Cut the steel line and replace with a new one when you reinstall. You'll be able to get it off once you can put it in a vise and work on it.

Save your self from the ground work and take the alt off and the Power Steering. Then you see and get to the fuel pump real easy.

I figured he had already removed the alt.and power steering pump of. My bad.... Yes that will make it rougher to remove the fuel pump.

Thanks to all ! I ended up taking the pump off with the fuel line attached. I did take off the power steering pump and alt to get it out. I have it temporarily rigged with a barb fitting and a rubber fuel line up to the carb.

The car starts right up ! The inspection sticker on the window is from 1997...This car has not run in 14 years and it starts right up...

Now on to the brakes....I pulled the rear drums off and found the original brakes on the car....The spring sets are orange and blue, and one shoe had a blue paint (pontiac) mark on the side...

The shocks are the original twisties...
Im amazed at how original this thing is

If you have some original inspection markings on your car, I would love to see pics. There is not a ton if info out there as to where and what color the more obscure marks were. I rebuild my front end recently, and found the original inspection marks on the steering arms (green and blue paint) I took a bunch of photos before I repainted them just in case I wanted to do a 100 point resto later.

Im taking photos of everything I do to the car. Tell me where to look and I will take some shots of the area you would like to see.

If you send me your email or cell # I can email or text you the photos.

I would love to get some expert opinions as to the originality of the car. It will impact how I restore. For example, I want to add disc brakes, but as I'm learning, this may reduce the collectibility of the car.
Thanks !