Help! Filler tube stuck in tank! How to get it out?

[Super Blue 72]

Hi guys, thanks in advance with any suggestions.

I'm pulling out my old gas tank and the last 2-3 inches of the filler tube is stuck right at the opening of the tank.  It moves back and forth but it seems like it's hooked onto something.  I removed the sending unit and from the other side can not tell what's hanging it up.  I'm doing this in the driveway, not on a lift if that matters.

Any ideas?    Thanks a bunch!

[bordin34]

Find out what its hooked to.

[Bullitt-]

Had the same problem & I can tell you what NOT to do....don't force it.....I ruined what was probably a good grommet, just $13.00 for the new one.
I believe if I had sprayed some lubricant on the grommet & removed it from the tank with the fill tube rather than yanking the fill tube out, it would have worked.

[Jacksboys]

If you are restoring/replacing the fuel tank, don't worry about the grommet, just replace it.

[Super Blue 72]

Find out what its hooked to.

If only I knew...... 



Thanks for the advice guys! 

bullitt-the filler tube to tank grommet has been doused with liberal amounts of WD-40.  If I were to remove the tank with the filler tube, does the neck of the filler tube (the part that screws to the rear quarter panel) go through the hole on the trunk floor?

I looked on another thread and someone took instructions from the service manual and it recommend removing the tube before even dropping the tank.  It mentions:

"(5)Grasp filler tube with both hands, twist tube, and at same time, force downward into tank, until end of tube clears quarter panel. Remove gasket. (If tube is frozen in tank, use a rubber lubricant around joint and work into grommet, after sliding dust shield out of way.)
(6) Twist (or rotate) filler tube approximately 180 degrees, then work tube carefully out of tank and dust shield seal. Remove tube from inside of trunk compartment.

So I wonder if the filler tube is tapered and when it's pushed into the tank, you then slide the grommet up the filler tube then the end of the filler tube has more room to be pulled throught eh hole in the tank?

I'll try it out later when the rain dies down a bit.

Thanks again guys! 

[Bullitt-]

  If I were to remove the tank with the filler tube, does the neck of the filler tube (the part that screws to the rear quarter panel) go through the hole on the trunk floor?

That should work IF you have the car high enough off the ground. In my case only a couple of feet of ground clearance would have made this difficult.   

[Super Blue 72]

I'll give it a try!  Thanks!