Fuel pump install issues

[Coachgeo]

Been at this for 3 or so hours now.... pump at first would not go in tank — seal would not slip into place to allow pump to seat all the way down. FINALLLY got that..... now an hour half later.... still trying to get the lock ring to thread on to hold pump in. All it does is cross thread and bind. grrr

 

[Coachgeo]

took out pump... locking ring still would not thread on, without cross threading. On last try , at about point it wanted to cross thead I just JAMMED it on straight....and it popped straight.. not cross threaded. Continued maybe half a turn and it wont turn any more; threaded down as far as it will go. By feel it seems to be just enough space between lock ring and top of factory tank's lip it threads around.... for the top of the pump housing to fit in there.

BUT... pump was not in place when did this.... So its ring on.. but not pump.. .

Hoping I can just leave this as is a little while to get tank's lip, lock ring.... one or both... to reform to its proper shape..... then unscrew it and immediately start saga of re-install pump and lock ring and hope it works this time.. other wise Im fawked. All the last couple weeks* for naught

Anyone else had a tank lock ring no longer want to thread on??



*modified tank to fix broken roll over vents and installed second pickup/return bungs to plumb in a fuel polisher (she's diesel). Modified pump housing top to be fuel pick up / return for diesel engine (no pump )

 

[Coachgeo]

Sad to say I had to force it into submission. Had to tap the pump housing in to get it flush to the Tank's lip. Had to do same as above post with the lock ring... Tighten it just to about where it wants to cross thread then JAM it down (pop) back to level - not cross threaded (mostly?) and then turn it more with a drift and mallet till tight. Even with that still had to fill an 1/8th" gap on one half/ betweentop face of pump housing and bottom of lock ring with Permatex Black. (not great for this..... but then again did not want to glue it in forever either)

Feel like an idiot that it took over 5hrs on just this stupid thing pump re-install. All can figure is when I had tank out in the sun for hmmm.. 4 weeks?? ; with few low 90's, mostly Mid 80's, that misshapen it?

Guess this pump housing will never be coming out again. Luckily the two pick up lines I put in the tank are Viton.

So Fellow Jeepers... IMHO iffffff you have the tank out.... Keep it out of the sun... and/or at least thread the pump's lock ring onto it ,so it keeps its proper shape in the heat/UV

 

[Chris]

I've dropped the tank and replaced the fuel pump several times and never had this issue. It was always pretty easy. Of course I never left it out in the sun, so there is that!

 

[OldBuzzard]

There was a thread here somewhere a few years ago describing the same technique - giving it a good whack to make it go on right. So you're not alone.

The newer style ring (05, 06) doesn't use threads, it turns about 1/8 turn to lock. But you have to hold it down with one hand, and drift it around with your other two hands, so it's not any better.

 

[macleanflood]

Little grease or oil on the rubber flange gasket makes a world of difference.

Sometimes running the ring backwards... loosening it...gets it to seat and orient properly to the threads... allowing you to then reverse direction and get it threaded.

Nice work and way to stick to it.

Trust me it gets easier on the 6 or 7th lap.

-Mac

 

[Gilaguy23]

Did a 96 ZJ recently, same BS. Finally gave up at tryin to get it on straight and did like the others and used a rubber mallet after it was semi started and cocked. Screwed right on down after that.

 

[BC Moto]

I just swapped out my tank and the tank I got had a similar issue to get it to lock down but I just took it slow and held it evenly to start going on and then tapped it to fully lock down

 

[TheBoogieman]

Did mine a few weeks back. No issues and took about an hour (no rust) by myself.

 

[SPECWAR]

There was a thread here somewhere a few years ago describing the same technique - giving it a good whack to make it go on right. So you're not alone.

The newer style ring (05, 06) doesn't use threads, it turns about 1/8 turn to lock. But you have to hold it down with one hand, and drift it around with your other two hands, so it's not any better.

WHAT ? You have 3 hands?????

 

[LONGJP2]

IIRC, setting it (flat) on the ground can squish the tank and make it too small/short for the pump assembly.
Supporting the ends keeps the low spot from pushing up.
YRMV

 

[Coachgeo]

IIRC, setting it (flat) on the ground can squish the tank and make it too small/short for the pump assembly.
Supporting the ends keeps the low spot from pushing up.
YRMV

It was in the Jeep already. I cut access in the floor. Knew with my mods I needed access to connect hoses.