reinstalling gas tank difficulty

[seattle_Jerry]

Has anyone else had trouble getting the gas tank back on? I can't get the filler tube and front two studs through the holes at the same time.

Any tricks? Mine was hard to get out too.

1967 230SL Havana Brown Auto with A/C

[waqas]

I had a lot of trouble with this too. To make things worse, the exhaust pipes created a hindrance the front right corner of the tank.

My technique, if it can be called as such:

• Raise the rear of the tank (filler side) until filler has entered the filler 'tunnel'
• Push it up until the rear tank 'lip' (through which the bolts holes are drilled) has pushed against the rear bolts
• Now the tricky part: wiggle the front of the tank (differential side) as high as possible without letting the rear tank 'lip' lose touch with the bolt tips
• During this wiggling, try to get the filler neck to clear the filler 'tunnel' and out the rear hole (again, without letting the rear tank 'lip' lose touch with the bolt tips
• Once the filler neck is clear, force the tank rear-ward (and possible laterally) until the bolts get through AND THEN QUICKLY THREAD THE NUTS BY HAND (forget the washers for now)
• Raise the front until the single bolt gets through, and thread the nut by hand
• Go back to each bolt and place the washers in correct order and tighten!

Suffice it to say, if you're doing this alone, keep the nuts within reaching distance so you can thread them as soon as each bolt is through.

Hope this helps!

Waqas in Austin, Texas

[bpossel]

I have my tank in and out a couple of times (out now...), and the way Waqas describes it is how I also did mine.  I would add that I was on my back, had the gas tank on my stomach and carefully lifted & inserted the filled tube up and in first (tank at an angle) and then ensure that the bolts at the rear of the car are started first, then the bolts close to the rear axle.  I also used my knees to hold the tank in position, and as Waqas mentions...  have all the nuts and washers within reach...
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[rogerh113]

Hello,

I would caution you to confirm that you have the correct tank.  The filler necks are different on different model tanks, and can cause exactly the problem you are experiencing.  They are not a lot different, but different enough not to fit.  If yours is your original tank reconditioned, then probably not the problem (unless the filler neck got bent in the process).  If yours is a different/replacement tank - compare the filler neck angle, bends, and length with the original.  I encountered exactly the problem fitting the used replacement tank I bought to my 230SL - just impossible..... probably a 250 or 280 tank.  When I returned that and got a new correct tank, it just slid right in.  

Granted there are slight obstacles you have to navigate around. If you have the neck of the filler bearing against the side of the body hole for the filler, and the hole for the stud still isn't correctly located, something is amiss (and it probably isn't you).

Regards -- Roger

[tuultyme]

I took off a couple of the muffler donuts to get it out of the way a little.  I also wraped a cloth around the filler neck to prevent scatching the tank I just repainted.

Bruce; 268Blaugrun(green) 1970 280SL; IL

[seattle_Jerry]

I wonder if the big tanks are easier to get in or if they are both the same. I'm trying again Saturday. It reminds me of those twisted nail puzzles where they are impossible to take apart unless they are turned in the right direction.

Luckily the po replaced the muffler hanger with the much more versatile bungee cord.

1967 230SL Havana Brown Auto with A/C

[bpossel]

Jerry,

I like your comparison to the nail puzzle.  That about sums it up as to installing many of the 113 parts.  Installing the muffler system up into the engine area is also similar to the nail game.

As Bruce mentions, wrap the filler neck and even use some painters tape around the exterior opening of the car in order to prevent damaging the paint...
Bob  

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[seattle_Jerry]

Mission accomplished...thanks for the advice guys.

1967 230SL Havana Brown Auto with A/C