Another tip for getting the rubber grommets and other rubber parts to more
easily slip on/in place is to use just a small amount of petroleum jelly
like vaseline or some brand of keg lube.  I found it greatly easier to get
the rubber replacements of my recent gastank reseal job using this approach.

-Ry
http://www.google.com/profiles/rylincoln

On Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 5:06 PM, Peter DiFalco <peter.difalco@gmail.com>wrote:

> Thanks Ryan (er... email says Bill?), I'm hoping to get into this same job
> this if the weather and state worker furlough gods conspire to give me a
> sunny day off this week. I'm using the Van Cafe kit (aluminum x-over
> fittings but cloth-wrapped breather hose), plus extra FI hose length and
> new
> fuel filters. I'm not sure I'll get around to painting the fuel tank as
> it's
> a California van and shouldn't be corroded much, but I guess we'll leave
> that decision to the generals on the ground.
>
> Cheers,
> Peter
>
> On Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 12:55 PM, Bill Shawley <easywind1975@hotmail.com
> >wrote:
>
> > I just pretty much wrapped up the gas tank drop, seal replace dance
> today.
> >  For those attempting the job, go for it, it is dirty and time consuming
> but
> > very much in the realm of an amateur, not very confident mechanic.  I did
> > bust the nipple off an expansion tank so the job did score a point on me.
> >
> >
> >
> > I chose to just run fuel line from the crossover to the expansion tanks,
> in
> > lieu of the rubber line/hard line/ rubber line arrangement that was
> present.
> >  Two of the old grommets were all gummy and tore up, one was intact.
> >
> >
> >
> > If I could offer any tips it would be to be careful when disconnecting
> > tubing from expansion tank,and I found it easier to insert the grommets
> in
> > the tank and then pop the spit covered fittings into the grommet.
> >
> >
> >
> > I took the opportunity to wire brush the top of the tank, paint with rust
> > primer, and then topcoat (blaze orange Rustoleum, on clearance at
> Lowe's),
> > and the straps.  While on my back I also dropped my spare to confirm it
> > sucked, greased the shift linkage, ran wires for oil temp/press gauges,
> and
> > discovered some antifreeze on the spare :(
> >
> >
> >
> > When my expansion tank comes I'll fill her up and see if all is well (and
> > run down the source of coolant found on the spare).
> >
> >
> >
> > I'm hoping this will end the gas fumes that can be smelled when the tank
> is
> > filled up (anywhere past 3/4) inside the cabin without any evidence of
> > actual leakage/drippage.
> >
> >
> >
> > I save the old crossover pipe as it was in pretty good shape (same w/
> > filler grommet).
> >
> >
> >
> > Ryan
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
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> > http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/210850552/direct/01/
> >
>