While dropping my fuel tank to swap the pump today, the front strap nut was so tight and wouldn't loosen anymore that it pulled the T-shaped bolt out of the flange. I cannot loosen the nut anymore . The t-shaped bolt is still thought the strap. I don't know if I should cut the t-shaped bolt off with a bolt cutters and look for a replacement T-shaped bolt and nut. Is that available?
I did get the tank out and have yet to tackle the actual fuel pump replacement, but I'm worried about this when I reinstall the tank.

Has anyone had this issue before or know what I can do to the front strap to reinstall my tank?

Thank you.

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===Always trying to find time to work on cars===
Louis Duet
Baldwin, Long Island, NY
"My mind spins like helicopter blades." -G. Rossdale
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Blue" <= '85 Fiero GT
3800sc series 2 swap in progress
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Boo" <= '81 Delorean DMC-12
VIN #5835
Stock PRV engine
Peugot 604 Intake manifold
Exhaust headers
Anti-3rd brake light

Fiero store sells replacement t bolts. I would guess that means they snap in to the welded flange on the body of the car. I will try to get mine apart using heat or some thing and reuse the t bolt.

Yeah, the "T" shaped part of the bolt just sits in a little "pocket" on the underside of the carbody tunnel. Assuming you haven't damaged the pocket, get new bolts and you'll be golden.

New tank straps are available too.

I agree...replace them all. They pop in easily.

I ended up hitting the t bolts wth a wire wheel and it cleaned up the threads nicely. I swapped the pump and replaced the tank today. Thank you everyone.

------------------
===Always trying to find time to work on cars===
Louis Duet
Baldwin, Long Island, NY
"My mind spins like helicopter blades." -G. Rossdale
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Blue" <= '85 Fiero GT
3800sc series 2 swap in progress
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Boo" <= '81 Delorean DMC-12
VIN #5835
Stock PRV engine
Peugot 604 Intake manifold
Exhaust headers
Anti-3rd brake light

quote Originally posted by Lou and Blue: While dropping my fuel tank to swap the pump today, the front strap nut was so tight and wouldn't loosen anymore that it pulled the T-shaped bolt out of the flange. I cannot loosen the nut anymore .

You soaked it with PB Blaster (or equivalent) first, right?

Yea, I used aerokroil on it but what worked best was my drill attachment wire wheel. I got the nut off lickety split after that.