Replacing the fuel pump without dropping the tank *pics* (4th Gen F-bodies)

[digi7al ph0enix]

Here you'll find instructions on replacing the fuel pump on 4th generation Firebirds and Camaros, WITHOUT dropping the fuel tank and rear axle.

All information in this article is taken from http://www.worldisround.com/articles/12533/index.html. Thanks to louvit for bringing this to my attention. Enjoy.

MEASUREMENTS
Measurements for cutting the exact location of the pump.


Remove Negative (-) Battery Cable
Remove the negative battery cable, so nothing grounds out producing spark, hence you exploding.


Tools Needed
Use a Dremel (I used the Flex-shaft, VERY USEFUL) and typical cutoff wheels (at least 4, I went through about 6). Pliers would be good to remove the small pieces of metal that might get lost somewhere. Safety googles are also a must.


Primary Incision
Making my first few cuts.


Cutting...
Making some more cuts to locate the whereabouts of the pump in relation to the trunk.


Cutting some more...



Cutting just a little more...
At this point, you can see the basis for the pump. A quick word of advice...If you have a variable speed Dremel, don't go any higher than speed 3. You'll go through cutoff wheels within seconds. Also, at speed 3, sparks won't fly as much (if that kind of thing makes you nervous, I was a little nervous having sparks fly within millimeters of my fuel lines...


Just a little more cutting...
Almost finished!


Cleaned up a bit....
At this point, I used a small grinder bit on my Dremel to go around and clean up the VERY sharp edges.


Fully cut hole


Finished for real this time...
Now aren't you glad you didn't go through the hassle of needing to drop the tank?!


Finished! Almost...


More pics of finished product....