41 CADILLAC GAS TANK & REAR END

The last post I tackled the doors of the 41 and inaugurated the 07 door interiors into them. The 07 door latches were to big to fit into the thinner 41 door as they interfered with the windows, the 07 outside door handles are too big and look out of place on the 41. I will look for a semi flush door handle that will work on the car.
Moving on I decided to try to finish the back of the car; other than the body, with the gas tank and rear end out of the second parts car a 2005 Cadillac STS.

The 05 has a salvage title as it was rear ended while parked in the street and the owner decided to sell the car himself and put it on Craig's List where I found it and made an offer of $2500.00 that was accepted. Went to Sedona AZ, test drove the car and brought it home. The cost of the parts to fix the 07 burned up rear end assembly and a gas tank was $3000.00 + let alone the burned up wiring and electronics out or the rear of the 07. This car has 108,000 where the 07 has 198,00 miles on it lots of good parts plus the upholstery.

 The 41 was moved off the hoist and 05 went on then the independent rear end and suspension was unbolted (10 bolts) and the drive shaft removed , that has good U-joints.

 05 rear end assembly ready to go in the 41

 Above & below pictures is the gas tank and filter assembly in the 05.

 05 gas tank mounting brackets that have been cut out and the hole panel welded into 41.

When I put the 07 floor pans in the 41 I mistakenly cut off the gas tank mounting brackets so the two panels from the 05 were welded in and then the old leaf spring mounting eyes had to be removed and the X frame had to be cut then reinforced.

 The new gas tank was a tight fit but stock mounting brackets and straps fit just like it was in the 05.

 The tank is complete with the in tank pumps, filters, fuel lines, fittings and wiring all of which will plug into the lines and wiring harness from the 05.

 With the gas tank done the rear end assembly was bolted into place and the two front support plates were fitted to the bottom of the frame, holes drilled and taped, them bolted in place. The shock's fit right back into the floor pan under the back seat.

 The drive shaft was bolted up to the rear end then the center carrier bearing bracket modified and bolted into the original holes of the 07 floor pan. After taking several measurements while the engine was still in the 41 the drive line was 2" short.

 The front fender's were removed then the engine so I could remake the motor mounts to move the engine 2" closer to the fire wall.

 The 41 Cadillac has a 126" wheel base and 07 & 05 have a 116" wheel base so the 07 front suspension assembly and subframe was moved forward 10" to fit centered in the 41 front wheel openings. then the engine was moved back 8" to get clearance at the front of the engine.

 The two extended engine mounts were removed and additional pieces welded to them and new mounting holes that are 2" further back making a total of 10" closer to the fire wall that will allow the stock drive shaft to be used.The only problem is the oil filter hit the motor mount and a remote oil filter must be used.

With the 05 still on the hoist I will continue to take it apart. The front body parts have been removed and the engine is now being disconnected and will be removed along with the transmission, front suspension & sub-frame.