I Hope I'm Not The Dumbest Klutz in the U.S.

hipobuzz · May 2, 2011

My '67 Fastback is back from the paint shop and is starting to look like a car. The engine is in (351W, Trick Flow heads, Heddman "hedders" and Delta 40 Magnaflows). Now for the dumb part: I bought a 5 gallon plastic jug and filled it with Premium. The jug came with a plastic filler pipe (about 12 in.) and I inserted it into the gas filler. When I took it out, the plastic tube was still IN the tank

I fished around with a flexible "grabber" but without effect. I now need suggestions. Please tell me that I am not the only one to ever do this.
Thanks,
Hipobuzz

DukeGnarley · May 2, 2011

did you take the filler tube off to help with the fishing around?

I'd try that, and if you can't get it out probably drain the tank and try to get it out from the sending unit hole. If that fails, remove the tank and use gravity to help you get it out.

tx65coupe · May 2, 2011

If you remove the filler neck you might have a chance of getting it out.

hipobuzz · May 2, 2011

Thanks for the suggestions. I have removed the filler neck.
I'm off today to find some sort of mirror small enough to fit in the tank. It would help if I knew where (roughly) it is.
Hipobuzz

Hack · May 3, 2011

I think that I qualify as a dumber klutz.. I was priming an oil pump on a new engine build and I dropped a socket down into the oil pan. At least there's no potential for your part to damage the engine if left where it is.

hipobuzz · May 3, 2011

Hack,
Thanks, I feel better.
Spent yesterday finding a light and mirror that will fit in the tank. Wish me luck.
Hipobuzz

Hwyman · May 3, 2011

Don't feel bad. If you're like me, you will next be looking for something to get either the light or mirror out of the tank.

mustangmutt · May 3, 2011

I used to work at a Chevron Station and I was sticking the storage tanks to measure how much gas we needed to order and my sunglasses fell into the hole. I didn't bother trying to get them back.

hipobuzz · May 26, 2011

Final Chapter

Thanks for all the thoughtful responses. I thought I would provide the Final Chapter.
Sadly, draining the tank, removing the filler tube, buying a 2 inch mirror (NAPA) all failed. I finally removed the tank, tipped it tail down, took out the sending unit and fished it out (under direct vision) with my fiour-prong grabber. I am now in the process of putting it all back together. Sadder but wiser,
Hipobuzz

2+2GT · May 26, 2011

Removing the sender, with the tank still installed, should have been more than enough. Good that you're done, though.

PoppyMod · May 26, 2011

hipobuzz said:
Thanks for the suggestions. I have removed the filler neck.
I'm off today to find some sort of mirror small enough to fit in the tank. It would help if I knew where (roughly) it is.
Hipobuzz

Hi,
Actually, I would not worry about it until you use up the fuel. It's not going to desolve and not get sucked up into the line as the filter sock prevents this.

..and no you are not the only "klutz". I've got my share, as well.
Good Luck!

rbohm · May 26, 2011

we have all made mistakes that were stupid, dont feel bad. heck i got knocked down by my own truck once.

66Coupe289POWER · May 26, 2011

Remember, grown men don't make mistakes, only women and children do. We f!%k up.

NMEMJCM · May 26, 2011

66Coupe289POWER said:
Remember, grown men don't make mistakes, only women and children do. We f!%k up.

+ 1 !!!!

kylehamilton79 · May 31, 2011

The first time I replaced the fuel filter on my 2 barrel I got the new filter out and screwed it into the carb housing too far and it snapped off. So I had to go buy some EZ outs and get the rest of the brand new filter out, then go buy another brand new fuel filter and replace again.

stmcatee · May 31, 2011

After I finally got my engine up and running, I tried to take the car for a drive. I could not get it to shift into any gears or go anywhere, which had me stumped. After spending way too many hours looking everywhere else for the solution, I figured out that there was no transmission fluid in it. Ooops.

hungrymonkey · May 31, 2011

kylehamilton79 said:
The first time I replaced the fuel filter on my 2 barrel I got the new filter out and screwed it into the carb housing too far and it snapped off. So I had to go buy some EZ outs and get the rest of the brand new filter out, then go buy another brand new fuel filter and replace again.

did that with my trucks stock 2bbl.

ended up fubaring the carb to the point that I replaced it with a 4bbl. It was a case of me thinking I just needed it a little bit tighter. Then it snapped off.

69gmachine · May 31, 2011

Every winter I put my car down for some kind of upgrade, and usually that means the engine comes out and/or apart. This year I was in such a hurry to go driving, I forgot to pressure test the coolant system before taking it out for a spin.

For whatever stupid reason, I put all the hoses where they go and even snugged them up a little but didn't really tighten them. They held coolant while it was sitting still in the garage. I took it out for a test drive early this spring and was blasting down the road when all of a sudden, I see white smoke pouring out from behind the car, then the car started running really rough.

I was convinced it was transmission fluid because last year I had a leak caused by a hole in the trans case. I had repaired the trans over the winter with JB weld but I was sure it just didn't hold up.

I drove the car all the way back home, with a blown a head gasket. It was down for another month as I had to have .004 shaved off the head to make it flat. I just got it running again last week, although it still needs some minor tweaking to the rocker arms. I did find out the temperature gauge works though. It normally runs so cold I thought the gauge was broken.

Yes we do f&(k up!

rbohm · May 31, 2011

kylehamilton79 said:
The first time I replaced the fuel filter on my 2 barrel I got the new filter out and screwed it into the carb housing too far and it snapped off. So I had to go buy some EZ outs and get the rest of the brand new filter out, then go buy another brand new fuel filter and replace again.

been there done that, never again. every time i use an autolite carb i replace the stock screw in filter with a brass hose fitting, and use an inline filter instead to avoid that very issue.

Raven1046 · Jun 3, 2011

I was changing the starter on my 65....and over torqued it, breaking off one of the ears. So I went to the Auto parts store, told them what I did...and they replaced it free of charge due to my honesty. I brought the other one home, climbed under the car, and slid it in place....only to have something fall off into my eye, causing me to drop the new starter on the concrete....breaking the ear. This time I just went to another auto store and bought a brand new one....minus the story. My ego was in as bad of shape as the last two starters....

I Hope I'm Not The Dumbest Klutz in the U.S.

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