Firebird Trans Am - Fuel Pump Replacement Part I

[@1tobicat]

After getting a quote from the dealership for a fuel pump replacement, I lifted the carpet and cut an access panel with a dremel. Changed the pump and screwed a cut and shaped piece of sheet metal down. I even used a bead of silicone to seal it air tight. Carpet back down and problem solved!

[@guyazbell8169]

1tobicat same thing here my friendly neighborhood the if or I mean mecanik wanted about 800 bucs to replace me 24 dollar fuel pump I just cut hole in my van floor and pocketed 776.00 and still running fine with 300thousand miles

[@michaelhollingsworth3859]

1tobicat would have just did that but when pieces of my gasket were all in the tank l

[@topherd1011]

Michael Hollingsworth a few pieces prob wouldn’t hurt anything but I don’t blame ya for wanting it out! I’m ocd like that!

[@topherd1011]

Exactly what we did with my uncles camaro! Didn’t even have to throw sparks just used tin snips.. didn’t make it look too nice tho.. just threw carpet back over it lol

[@AmandaHugenkiss2915]

I have an 02 bird and the pump died at 49K in the middle of nowhere years ago. Had to have it towed to a dealer cost about $1200. Will cut access panel if it happens again. GM idiots. Find it interesting too, that the 02's were not much different underneath than an 88.

[@andykidwell6187]

Brought back memories in the 90's of my buddies dad's shop. Used to see these on the lift, motley crew playing in the background, tech had a mullet and a cigarette hanging out of the mouth at all times.

[@Azathoth43]

The good 'ol days lol.

[@Micko350]

That's a rather odd flavour combination, cigarette & Mullet! Even though the fish would be 'smoked' I'm not sure that'd be one that I'd be willing to try!!! 😅

[@rc121crx]

😂😂😂

[@zr1sparky1]

Eric O after struggling for 20 minutes with all the tools and lifts and hoists known to man Eric finally gets the tank out and proclaims oh that was easy I'm just glad that the car wasn't too rusty!

[@1RAYGC]

I've been a do-it-yourself guy for decades and I love the logical, methodical way you work. Impressive to watch.

[@L8terdays]

I had one of these fabulous vehicles. I looked up the tank to find the fuel pump location. Cut an access hole and made a nice cover with rubber pad for gasket. It was quick easy and did not require taking the ass end apart. You are sir a fine mechanic.

[@bartorlans5390]

I just wanted to say thank you for this video. I had to pull the tank out of my Firebird and you were a huge help to me doing this job...on my back, in my driveway. Couldn't have done it without you.

[@Mr_Clean]

Lift carpet, cut acess panel.

[@paulsommers7733]

Eric is a GREAT mechanic, I love seeing his video's and hearing his humor. He should have his own cable show, I hate seeing these celebrity so called mechanics with brand new tools of every kind and the black and white tile floors you can eat off of. Eric is the real deal and honest, he's a real world mechanic.

[@davidpawlowski2997]

Hey, Hey, Hey... Where is the New York license plate on the rear bumper ??

[@danielstone3461]

Did my 99 Camaro fuel cell in my son's garage. Following my repair manual I and my son had to remove all that crap and cut the exhaust. All that in the heat of Las Vegas with Jack stands and a floor Jack. Got cheap and out in a aftermarket cell. Figured we should take some measurements and cut a access panel, good thing because the aftermarket unit got me back to Denver and crapped out.. What a job . Don't follow the repair manual cut the access panel. By the way the tank was full .

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good old SAE Back when only a small amount of sockets were needed to take an entire vehicle apart miss them days Eric O @SouthMainAutoRepairLLC

[@rumrunner1756]

It does my heart good to see that I am not the only one who has to change my plan of attack from time to time. I usually think that an expert wouldn’t struggle with whatever it is that I am working on. ☮️

[@Jpilgrim30]

Seems like every fuel pump I do has a full tank. I had one a couple of weeks ago on an envoy that was so full that when I took the lock ring off the pump the pump was floating up out of the tank and fuel came POURING out. Talk about a string of curse words that would make a pirate blush 😆

[@stevejohnson1397]

Step one empty tank

[@michaelblacktree]

_"Starts, runs, and idles, but has no power"_ Yeah, that's pretty much every 1980s GM car. :-P

[@ad356]

@Daniel Drago i'll race you with my 96 Z28 with the LT1. oh, wait unless you have a decent amount of mods that isnt very fair. the LT1 breathes allot better...... but at the core they are both 350's

[@ad356]

@Daniel Drago i only have a PCM tune, cold air intake, air-foil in the intake, and a slightly built 4L60E trans....... shift kit, better transmission internals, increased line pressure, and a 2,200 stall converter. the car is high miles, but clean and rust free...... it will still get out of its own way.

[@andrewcolsen]

Pretty much every 80s car, not just GM.

[@renj6531]

@Daniel Drago speaking of which mabey I woulda cleared that boat ramp if I had the few extra ponies of a 350 vs the 305

[@renj6531]

at least its not a ford 302 with CFI those wouldnt even Idle well Trust me I know not to mention vacuum connection city

[@VWWRENCHIE]

Confucius say: "Man who work with mufflers usually end up exhausted"

[@MarkBarrey]

VWWRENCHIE yeah, I was thinking even Eric didn't want to mess with that exhaust, but would rather take half the car apart instead

[@markusdd5]

So deep, you can even see Adele rolling....

[@2405jacko]

Same applies to men working with tires.

[@rc121crx]

Good one hahaha

[@BlazeIncZeroCool]

Had me fuckin rollin man

[@drunk3n_m0nk12]

Had an 84 in high school. That thing was a total lemon. Engine developed rod knock a month after I bought it and the transmission went a few months later. I have vivid memories of 17 year old me being brought to tears by that car when it came time to do the starter. I still curse those headers from time to time just for spite. When my sending unit went out I took one look at that job and said "yeah, no thanks." Thankfully the early ones still had an old school manual fuel pump on the engine. So long as I kept the tank topped I was good to go.

[@skylark19721]

Working on my 82 right now just finished the fuel pump stands and jacks,no air tools equals good time lol a lot of steps but went easy👍

[@bennyfactr6122]

Did this dozens of times over 25+years. The muffler getting stuck on the intermediate pipe(effing muffler clamps) is a returning nightmare. Having a solid filler neck is just an extra kick in the balls. I have a 88 formula 350 that received an access panel 16 years ago. Best decision ever. It's sealed and passed tech. I'm too old to be dropping a tank when i could just lift a lid.

[@baxrok2.]

Well, hell, you made that look easy! The top of that tank is all sparkly clean. Nice. Thanks Dr. O!

[@LunkerFishing]

Lots of work to do this. I will not question a mechanic as much in the future. You have a great family.

[@StreetLethalRacing]

This video hit home being a third gen guy. Was laughing out loud during the whole video, can more than relate... 👍

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Pretty clean 80s car for a new your vehicle must of been garage kept and only driven during none winter months nice Eric O @SouthMainAutoRepairLLC

[@jockosboy17]

My dad bought a late 90's Camaro. Fuel pump went bad. Checked under the carpet in the back to see if there was an access panel. Sure was. One the last owner cut out of the floor...

[@bowlonoodle]

three fuel pumps on my 91 camaro. last one, we cut an access panel. never looked back.

[@rattmann36863]

That's how to do it. Install the things the company left out.

[@NYPATRIOTBX]

One of the best mods you can do to a 3rd gen

[@JCMayPE]

That's like the window motor access holes I added to the doors of my 1995 Firebird. I had to replace both motors at least twice in the ten years i had that car.

[@ad356]

@@NYPATRIOTBX OR 4th gen, they are the same bullshit for fuel pump jobs.

[@tommyj19751]

I cut and created my own access panel for my fuel pump on my blazer. Best decision I ever made...

[@shawntiaquino4714]

Good job Mr O I’ve replaced a lot of F body fuel in my career but I’m from the south west NM with very little rust or no rust at all so I give you all my respect ✊ always great videos. You showed me your amazing technique on how to deal with the kind of rusty work you have to deal with on a daily basis thank you for all of your time you invest making KZbin videos

[@SibRevs]

"A baby is born folks! And it's a boy!". Had a good laugh at that one.

[@buffystclair9042]

Glad to see this again ,good to see you did it , even tho the hard way , you did it the right way. To all the hacks trying to beat book tome or something, cutting the floor for access on a uni-body vehicle makes it un safe , I have refused to do a safety inspection on a firebird that someone did the hack job . And you guys like doing the same to pick up trucks , 6 bolts and tail light harness takes box off , and if pump is bad it maybe time to closely inspect steel brake lines , good time to replace if needed

[@jdrs4214]

I’m watching you through my 2nd Covid Vaccine feverish side effects Great Car Dr. You’re the best man!!!! Much respect.

[@phillipmccarter7471]

Had a old iroc 87 model we pulled up the carpet inside the back hatch and cut our own access panel to get to the fuel pump !! Made it alot easier .

[@dmc16336]

Ive owned 3 of these over the years. They rattle, squeak, leak, are built horrible, but I still get nostalgic for them.

[@darwindwelle5267]

You know I love working on cars and motorcycles but my hats off to you sir for doing it everyday let alone all the rust you have to deal with I would go nuts!!!!

[@jamesh6229]

Awesome video Eric, that Underside is in remarkable shape for being almost 30 years old and a New York car

[@jimmydeen58]

Wow that repair brings back memories..

[@parsedout2576]

If only I had this video 19 years ago when I was trying to replace the fuel pump in my 89 Camaro RS. Being a dumb 17 year old kid and not knowing how to do suspension work, I decided to cut an access panel in the hatch, but the hard fuel lines wouldn't come out, so I cut the fuel lines with...a dremel! My friend with slightly more brains decided to back up a few feet, but with adolescent invincibility on my side, I plowed through. Luckily no sparks and no explosions, but I did patch the hardlines with some clear tubing I had laying around, definitely not fuel rated. Sold the car a few weeks later, at the time I didn't realize how dangerous I had left that car. God speed to whoever got that pile of junk.

[@rfdfire911]

This channel makes me laugh at myself. I don’t own 99.9 percent of the type cars/ trucks shown being worked on, but I will watch the videos from beginning to end!!

[@extsp2]

Great video. One thing I have learned that may help you is to tighten the lug nut on either side of that locking lug before you try to remove it. It takes the stress off the locking lug and it's much easier to remove.

[@chevymanfor3]

I remember back in the early 90's wrenching for GM, there was a TSB for the filler neck. If was cracked, we had to replace the tank......i dont miss those days lol

[@Mark-vc7rm]

Football and SMA. Grab a beer 🍻 and come on over. Good stuff.

[@Buckswoodshop]

Enjoyed watching you work on an "old" Pontiac.

[@chungaleta1234]

Loved this vid... So refreshing to get away for a second from all the fancy computers and scan tools and modules to wrench on a real car!!! Loved it!!!

[@mhchmhch5311]

L.M.A.O. Eric. My wife is always laughing at me for talking to myself when I am working on cars too.l showed her this video.lol .Thanks for the video.l also had a firebird.l wish you were doing videos back then.A whole lot of conversations with myself😀😄😄

[@LCM2248]

These are near and dear to my heart. They are a pain. Thanks for the care and concern

[@applejacks971]

Wheel lock, ha! I had those on my '82 Camaro Z-28! Owned it from '89 to '95. Then it was stolen twice in a week. First time they took the stereo, 2nd time it was found as a shell on blocks in North Omaha. It was my pride and joy :(

[@Sandbag1300]

I'm at 9:46. At this point, I would have gotten a jig saw and gone at it from the trunk or passenger cabin. Geez. Cover the hole with a Lava lamp.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Cover the hole with a lava lamp haha, I have no idea why this comment made me laugh so hard lol. OK I need to go grease back my mullet now....

[@Sandbag1300]

@28:51, looks like a uni-body in that vehicle. If one cut a hole from the top to access the fuel pump, the body structure would collapse on itself.

[@jasonbooth5141]

I would have trashed the whole tank and mounted a fuel cell inside

[@johnmcdonald3720]

For me it was a 1984 Z28 tight leather pants and Molly Hatchet. Lol another great video thanks Eric.

[@throttlebottle5906]

now do it again using only jack-stands and floor-jack. I still have nightmares :(

[@theoriginaltruckergaming4783]

Did it that way on my 06 Grand prix. Was a whole lot easier than what this is.

[@wolfmanrebel874]

2 years old comment but I'm with you on that, I use to have a few of these 3rd gen F-bodys , my 85 didn't have an intank pump but the sending unit for fuel guage went bad I went through all this on the ground for a $17 sending unit, by the time I had to do intank pump on 88 trans am I started making access holes from in the hatch😁, I had a 90 that was v6 I put a 383 I built in it and left the efi pump in the tank and put a regulator up front to feed the carb , I have no idea why gm didn't put in access panels on these, and that was back when gm had a little pride and some common sense, I would totally understand it today but for the 80's it was pretty dumb, I miss those cars I think about them often unfortunately I got to old to easily get in and out of them comfortably

[@GiordanDiodato]

yeah. why did GM make it so difficult to access the fuel pump in gen 3 Cameros/Firebirds?

[@wolfmanrebel874]

@@GiordanDiodato pretty much not giving a shit, they kept the same exact body from the carbed models that only had a sending unit in the tank and rarely ever needed attention to moving on to efi starting with the 2.8 v6 then into 5.0 tpi and just kept everything on the body the same as previous powertrain excluding pump and wiring harness

[@davidrobins4025]

That looked like "fun!" Patience and perseverance do the job.

[@kennethconnors5316]

GM quality engineering , made like it can't go bad

[@stephenrasch4734]

My son's 2000 mustang too about a second to decide to cut an access panel in trunk . Happy I did because dirt in the gas line had to dice and splice that was hardest part .

[@mr.h4714]

How on Earth did this "gem" survive nearly 30 brutal NY winter's??? Great video SMA! Math is hard

[@ad356]

many of these cars arent driven in the winter. my 96 Z28 sits from first snow until they are done spreading the crap.

[@tylermartin9474]

I have an 89 same shape as that

[@andrewwilson8317]

A classic example of how a simple job like changing a fuel pump turns into a big job. Add a few sheared bolts to make it just perfect!

[@jamiee172]

WOW! You get a lunch made for you like that?! That is awesome!

[@bborkzilla]

That's a Panhard rod. Some French dude came up with it to prevent the live axle from going sideways on the leaf springs.

[@markquigley1890]

hoppes9 coil spring not leaf spring.

[@aussiebloke609]

Originally invented by the Panhard Automobile Company, France as a method of reducing lateral movement of a solid axle - most useful with semi-elliptical leaf springs, but also useful on coil sprung suspensions to help keep the rear suspension stable as the bushings flex and let the axle move side to side.

[@kensherwood4866]

Here every rear drive European GM (Opel/Vauxhall) was fitted with one (Panhard rod) though they always seemed to be a bar rather than a pressed beam. Surprised to see such small looking finned drums on the rear of such a powerful car

[@billyboots3730]

@@kensherwood4866 these cars had like 190 hp stock, my 87 with 5.7 has only 210 ish

[@lexmaximaguy8788]

a 1988 5.0l with 190hp..gotta love 70's and 80's emissions.

[@puckcat22679]

Fellow mechanic here. I gauge how likely a car will need a fuel pump based on how hard it is to get to it. If there's an access plate from the factory, you probably won't need to replace it for many years if ever. If there's no access plate, but the tank is pretty easy to remove, you'll need one for sure at some point. If the tank is really hard to remove, fuel pumps will fail all the time. Then there's cars like the Ford Contour. They have an access panel, but at some point, around 99 or 00, Ford enlarged the sending unit cover, but didn't enlarge the access hole. So you can take the access plate out and look at the top of the sending unit, but the sending unit won't fit through the hole. Or AWD Volvos on the P80 chassis (850/ first generation 70 series) They have an access plate, but when they started offering AWD, the fuel tank they used required placing the pump in a different location, but they didn't move the access plate, and on those you have to drop the driveshaft and rear suspension to change the pump. Guess which ones need fuel pumps more often?

[@kennypool]

I had a trans am just like that in black of course, when it wasn't broken or getting stolen it was a lot of fun. Had the big screaming chicken on the hood and everything. I fineally traded it in for a brand new 1991 honda civic Lx.

[@jeffstutz7959]

My Sunday afternoon just got better, thanks!

[@scottpearsontoolsmore185]

Great video got to love the old school car's or trucks so much easier to work on

[@brettsuydam7457]

Short sleeve shirt and air tools! It's a throwback video!!!!!

[@robinsonsmotorcycleandauto3929]

I love your sense of humor. Always great watching your videos. I've done one of those except the owner cut his floor open lol made his own access then wanted me to weld it back up. Yeah sure get right on that lol. Great job Eric

[@SouthMainAuto]

Cars done... WELL DONE!

[@guyazbell8169]

Robinson's Auto Diagnostics why not just use small bolts and install access plate like Audi or many others

[@Micko350]

Robinson's Auto Diagnostics tell him to remove the fuel tank, then you'll weld it back up! 😅

[@juanrodriguez-ry6yt]

most toy and hondas have hatch plate they used to put drain plugs on fuel tanks too

[@md65000]

I'm amazed how little rust is under that car. I have a 2001 f-body and the whole back side is completely rusted over under there.

[@greggestok3100]

Noooooo to be continued ! Ahhhh. Suspense how the heck does it end ??!!! “In as far as we have ever been”. Good one Mr o.

[@billjohnson7041]

Working with the garage door open in December - life is good in God's country!

[@SouthMainAuto]

It was shot last summer :D

[@beerman7079]

I cut a acess hole above the pumps on these models

[@ilikeboost4764]

On my car I would. On a customer car ehhh idk. That's a good way to get badmouthed.

[@jameslovitt994]

Those are a real treat to do without a lift.

[@jewllake]

reminds me of when i took my 85 camaro with a 2.8 v6 and transferred all the running gear including gas tank, rear end and computer off a wrecked 85 IROC TPI.

[@timdavis675]

I'm so lucky I live in an area that I don't need all the emissions garbage. It makes cars so much easier to work on.

[@Ladco77]

It's so refreshing to see a mechanic replace an F-body fuel pump the right way instead of cutting up the car. No hate to the shadetree mechanic who chooses to do it on their own car. I'd might do it that way myself unless it was a nice car I didn't want to cut up, but I've seen people who call themselves professional mechanics cut trap doors in cars without even asking the owner first.

[@TechTipsForYou]

Aw man I miss my 95 firebird. I had an access panel cut for mine from previous owner. Great cars

[@steene.h.christensen5467]

The connecting yarn along the rear axle is called a Panhard rod. Volvo Amazon was also equipped with a Panhard rod :-)

[@tluperz400]

Gotta love them! They are kinda a pain due to the exhaust. I always just cut it off before the axle then weld back on, but I understand in your area everything is always rusted out so you don’t really have much material to weld back to. And I always get a ladder and bar and bend the necks a little coming out and bend them back when reinstalling. I’ve done several! “I’m not a pro at them”😉

[@Christ-1]

I cut an access panel on mine and changed my fuel pump in 30 minutes. Made 3 clean slits in the carpet so didnt even have to pull up any carpet.

[@fonzo2525]

creampuff,lol,i used to see that written on car windshields in cheesy used car lots back in the 80s,still funny to hear you say that,Merry Christmas Mr and Mrs O and the little Os.

[@barovelli]

Ohhh the Firebirds. I Bought a '95 for real cheap 10 years ago, it only needed the same fuel pump repair. Now I see why I paid almost as much for the fuel pump replacement as I paid for the car. Got about a 3 minute rant from the shop about rusty fasteners.

[@coalbear1]

I just turned my tank sideways and and it came out without dropping the exhaust or axle. Just used a bottle jack and floor jack. I was young then.

[@robertmclaughlin7973]

YES. I own two of these. An 84 Firebird & an 88 GTA.

[@rrmech11]

Robert McLaughliin I owned a 88 gta also. It was beautiful silver, grey leather, radio controls in the steering wheel, t-tops. That year I could only get the 5.0 liter tune port, due to having t tops. 89 you could get manual trans and 5.7

[@robertmclaughlin7973]

Richard Gill Mine has the 5.7 HO package. You couldn’t get it with a manual so it’s obviously an auto. It’s the Bright Red color too.

[@rrmech11]

Robert McLaughliin exactly

[@drfalcon4102]

OE pump only, unless you enjoy doing it over and over

[@svtirefire]

If the OE pumps are so good, why do they need to be replaced in the first place?

[@brianglade848]

Get out of junkyard

[@Soothsayer-rs5nb]

I've had to remove a locking lug nut before for a customer who bought a car and didn't get the key. I tightened all the other lug nuts very tight and then put vice grips on the locking lug nut and it came off very easily. Torquing down the other lugs took the stress off the locking lug nut.

[@satamanschmidt3428]

Man, that was brutal. I remember changing the fuel pump on my Grand Prix. Remove the matt from the truck, take off the cover and go to it. Not hard at all. This was major surgery.

[@tobydyes]

at least you get to use a lift I did it on the ground

[@ignacio8597]

"A baby was born and it's a boy" That was awesome.

[@jameslaiola4976]

Sir. This is a great video. Im hoping youl make more videos with this car. Your extremely informative and i wish i lived near you. I will happily bring my car to you.

[@wyattoneable]

Your a "Big Nasty" master. All that because GM didn't provide an access panel. Making an access panel might be a great DIY'er project for someone down the line. As always, a great video filled with commentary, tips and family.

[@Andy-ir1sj]

just cut an access panel behind the rear seat for " next time ".hehe..

[@AC-gu7rg]

Great video Eric !

[@DayNNyteDJs]

For anybody following along at home, they are almost all metric. Yes, the SAE will work (sometimes), but they are mostly 18-21 mm.

[@walkingwithdogs8547]

Tanks like this always cut a hole in the floor pan, then just make a nice over size plate you can bolt down and seal.

[@jgsb111]

This is very similar to the fuel pump I did on a 92 Camaro. What was nice is the exhaust was already gone past the catalytic converter. Bad part was no lift and it was muddy lol.

[@jonnygg6594]

big nasty in the first 2 minutes of the video.... its a good one!

[@johnbuglioli9967]

Man what a job for a fuel tank!!!

[@1bmwrider]

I have cut access panels in two camaros and a firebird. Fuel pumps take about 30 minutes tops. I guess GM was trying to generate revenue for the dealers. My lexus has a panel under the rear seat. Good video

[@SuperTajou]

Wonderful work and good appetites

[@doctorjohn-burgtekie]

Great opening going back in time.

[@oldschool1993]

Had an IROC Z with bad pump- cut a panel out above the tank and replaced it in 30 minutes- made a sheet metal patch and put it back together-.

[@SteveP-vm1uc]

Just a few things I picked up on: First, I am going to guess you published this yesterday, but since it was probably in the 20*s yesterday, you have had this one in the can for a while.. next, Looks like you could have worked out the exhaust by removing the (PANHARD BAR) and sneaking it out through the open wheel well.. AND: Solid 10 inches along with "IN FURTHER THAN EVER BEFORE" !! I was waiting for And her can is full!!!! EDIT: Yeah, yeah. I just read the intro....

[@Sojourning_]

when back in the day, 1969 I was looking over a full line of Camaro's the whole of them. then I seen a 69 blue white vinyl top, fake wood dash council, white seats black carpet, I quickly discovered what a boat anchor it was. the back end would beat the front end around a corner if you weren't paying close attention. looked great, drove like carp. dumped it went back to sedans,. the real muscle cars. dirty jeans, holes in my shoes, square like a brick, went like the wind, passed everything but the gas stations. "-> I was paying 35 cents a gallon, to a shell gas station before it went with the going rates. fun days. go to the drive in in a four door 1955 Caddy, awesome. only you couldn't just idle the engine for heat or the batt would die, brush generator's, a long walk home for the bird... "-) good stuff, although not vary mature.

[@paulmayou370]

loving the new hd quality eric

[@roehudson3859]

U can cut a door above the pump and that will save time on the next one. Camaros are the same up to the new body style

[@sargefreedom1578]

We always said engineers could learn a lot from folks in the field. Access here, access there

[@mib20000]

Trinity with the PHOTOBOMB at :34 LOL

[@hotrodpegleg]

dang Mrs O food looks like Mrs A cooking hard to find a Mrs that can cook real meals now a days

[@westtexas501]

My stubby astro needs a new front gasket/seal Thanks for reminding me 👍