1987 Shelby Dodge CSX Build Thread

If anyone has a rust free sender and/or fuel pump hanger assembly kicking around for short money let me know.

SilverFleet wrote:

Harvey wrote: Come on, you knew you were in for it with an 80s Chrysler from New England. When I lived in Hawaii the salt air ate these things away to dust before the powertrain warranty was up. Also, this post is meant as encouragement.

I had no idea that one of these could rust this bad. This is my first foray into the wonderful world of Mopar cars. I've only dealt with rusty GM cars, Fords, and Nissans before this. None of those (including the '79 Trans Am sitting in my driveway) are half as bad as this car. And the Trans Am is 8 years older!

I'm pretty sure 80s Chrysler cars were made from rust.

Harvey wrote:

SilverFleet wrote:

Harvey wrote: Come on, you knew you were in for it with an 80s Chrysler from New England. When I lived in Hawaii the salt air ate these things away to dust before the powertrain warranty was up. Also, this post is meant as encouragement.

I had no idea that one of these could rust this bad. This is my first foray into the wonderful world of Mopar cars. I've only dealt with rusty GM cars, Fords, and Nissans before this. None of those (including the '79 Trans Am sitting in my driveway) are half as bad as this car. And the Trans Am is 8 years older!

I'm pretty sure 80s Chrysler cars were made from rust.

I'm pretty sure you are right.

Really wish I knew the fuel tank was leaking before welding in the floors, lol

PseudoSport wrote: Really wish I knew the fuel tank was leaking before welding in the floors, lol

The thing is... it WASN'T leaking!!! I've been under there a few times now and it wasn't wet under there. I think that when I removed the fuel filter lines, the pressure on the tank built up enough for something to happen. I had been cranking the car over a ton too, which probably built up line pressure.

That tank is coming out before we throw sparks again.

I'm pretty sure 80s Chryslers had a special rust enabling coating on the floors.

I worked on the CSX a bit this weekend. I finally got the tank out of the car, which was quite the ordeal. I had to pull the filler neck which took some finagling, and it was splashing fuel all over the damn place, but I got it out. By the time I got it out, I was high as a kite from the fumes. The wife found me very entertaining. I'll wear a respirator next time for sure.

But anyway... the tank is junk.

It has some rust holes here and there too, so it's not salvageable.

The inside was rusty too, and the fuel was pretty gross. I forgot to take pics of the pump assembly, but it might actually be salvageable. I have to test the pump to make sure. The sock and the rest of it definitely need to be cleaned or replaced.

The big issue is the other thing that is still in the tank: the sender. I'm not sure anyone makes one, and there are two lines that come out of it. One snapped clear off due to the rust, so it's junk. I can get the fuel pump hanger assembly if need be, but I'll try to re-use the one I have. The fuel pump hanger that was on there isn't the original one either. I know this because it said "For V6 and Turbo" on it. I will be ordering whatever I can in the coming weeks.

So yeah, if anyone has a spare hanger assembly and the sender, please let me know.

I dont have a spare, but all of it is available from rock auto. For the rollover vent in the top of the tank, there is a later model jeep unit that works. Check on turbo mopar.

I might still have the sender from the '86 Daytona Turbo Z I parted out a while ago. I can't remember how many lines come out of it. It should be out in the shed. If I don't stay too late at the shop tomorrow night I'll take a look.

I have a really clean tank from an 87 k-car that still has all of the guts in the tank. I know when I swapped all of the turbo stuff over the fuel lines were different so I just took the tank and lines and the whole shebang and swapped them. It seems very un-Chrysler like to use a different part when the same part will do. If my part is the same as your part, you can have it. Any pictures of yours?

mazdeuce wrote: I have a really clean tank from an 87 k-car that still has all of the guts in the tank. I know when I swapped all of the turbo stuff over the fuel lines were different so I just took the tank and lines and the whole shebang and swapped them. It seems very un-Chrysler like to use a different part when the same part will do. If my part is the same as your part, you can have it. Any pictures of yours?

I think the tanks might actually be different, but I'll look into this and let you know. I do know that the pump hanger has one line, while the sender has two. I'll try and snap some pics of the sender over the next few days if I can get it out of the tank.

In reply to SilverFleet:

FWIW, there is an '88 p body tank and fill neck in my '88 k car. It was a bit different but it worked with no modifications.

I just looked on the Spectra Premium website, and they list a 1987 Dodge Aries tank as the same part number as a 1987 Dodge Shadow (Shelby). It looks like this:

Mazdeuce, were you looking to unload the tank, the innards, or both? I know the pumps (and possibly the hangers) are different for N/A cars vs. the Turbo/V6 cars. I'm not sure about the sender.

Here's the tank:
And here's the pump/sending unit. Can you tell if they're right from those pictures or do I need to pull it? How do I pull it? Do they twist out?
I could send you the whole tank, though I'm not sure it would be cost effective to ship it from Texas to MA. I could bring it to Michigan with me this summer, but I'm not sure that would be any better.

Decided not to be a lazy berkeley and actually take it out of the tank to check. Here it is:
It has surface rust on it, but everything moves nicely. I'm pretty sure a little love with some steel wool would make it acceptable to put in a tank. Whether it works or not......that I don't know. I have a multimeter, how to I test it?

That looks just like my tank, and the pump/sender setup looks the same too.

I think the tank would cost an arm and a leg to ship, so I'd definitely take the hanger and sender. You have to undo the lock ring with a screwdriver and hammer. Once they are off, you have to wiggle the units out. Also, while you are there, do you mind taking the tank rollover vent off too? It's that white plastic thing on the top of the tank. Shoot me a PM with shipping prices and method of payment. Thanks!!!

Also, I just noticed that 1987 and 1988 tanks have a different part number. They look identical, except the 1988 tank is $40 less. Anyone know why they might possibly be different? I was obviously planning on getting the 1988 tank.

Not a problem. I assume you want the lock ring thingie too? I might let it sit in the sun and bake off the fumes for a day or so before I send it. Nothing makes the post office freak out quite like the smell of flamable stuff.

In reply to mazdeuce:

My lock ring was mangled, so yeah, toss that in there. The new tank might come with one, but I'll take it just to be sure. Thanks!

Ok, this is what I could get off the tank. The sending unit and lock ring and the pump hanger and lock ring and the two screws that hold the pump on. Is this the same pump hanger? Somehow I've never had one of these fuel pumps fail so I've never taken it apart.

Sadly the tank vent didn't make it. The force holding it in was more than the brittle plastic could take and it snapped before I could get it out. Also, I wouldn't trust any of the rubber seals, some of them kind of fell apart so I'm not including them even if they didn't. I'm posting all of this in the thread to document that these are legitimately free for the asking parts. SilverFleet asked first. I got your PM so as long as it looks good I'll get them boxed up and headed your way.

If anyone needs a rust free tank between Texas and Michigan, let me know. The sending unit and pump hanger are not included.

What you did there, I see it.

Well played.

mazdeuce wrote: Ok, this is what I could get off the tank. The sending unit and lock ring and the pump hanger and lock ring and the two screws that hold the pump on. Is this the same pump hanger? Somehow I've never had one of these fuel pumps fail so I've never taken it apart. Sadly the tank vent didn't make it. The force holding it in was more than the brittle plastic could take and it snapped before I could get it out. Also, I wouldn't trust any of the rubber seals, some of them kind of fell apart so I'm not including them even if they didn't. I'm posting all of this in the thread to document that these are legitimately free for the asking parts. SilverFleet asked first. I got your PM so as long as it looks good I'll get them boxed up and headed your way.

I will take it all. Thanks again man, it's much appreciated. Between these and what's left of mine, I can hopefully make it all work again.

That's OK on the vent, no worries. My tank still has one, but if it breaks upon removal, I can use one off of a Jeep. I think we have a few of them kicking around.

Quick question: I'm about to order a tank. Are all the P-Body tanks interchangeable? I've noticed that the '87 and '88 have different part numbers. The '87 says "without in-tank tube" while the '88 has the internal tube. Does it really matter? The one for the '88 with the tube is $40 cheaper.

No one knows about the differences between the tanks? I think I'll just order the cheaper one and see of it works. Worst that happens is that I have to return it.

Mazdeuce came through BIG TIME for me!!! Thanks man!!!

The sender and pump hanger came today. The sender is exactly what I needed too. Check it out:

The top one is from Mazdeuce, and the bottom one came out of my tank. A little cleaning and the new one should work just fine.

You can see how much better the new one is. This stuff will definitely help me get the car back up and running.