Removing a fuel tank

See also these pages
Modifications & Maintenance
Repair fuel tank
Clean fuel tank

Email received Dec 2016

I'm trying to get a Mark 1 back in the water after having it in my backyard for years. It's in a sorry state of disrepair but I'm slowly getting there.

I've hit a snag with the fuel tank. It's a big stainless one under the drivers seat and seems to be leaking. Is it hard to remove the tank?

I have the engine out so have side access. I can see the glass that's round the edges but if I try and wiggle the tank it feels as solid as a rock and can't see how it's fastened (besides that little bit of glass).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Steve advises

The builders were difficult guys and the tanks only lasted 30 years, hopeless!

But anyhow cut the glass with a hacksaw blade, a simple cut at the front of the tank and lever the tank free, it can be re welded as the corrosion is caused by H20 on the inside of the tank weld, through condensation,

Drain tanks occasionally from the lowest point a little bit to avoid this problem, best is to have a filter with a water trap and you can see the water then open the little tap under the filter.

The Owners reply

I did it! But it wasn't quite as simple as Steve made out.

I did the simple cut in the glass at the front (via grinder, hacksaw blade was hard going).

Tried to lever tank but it would hardly budge. Made up a couple of hard wood wedges and banged them in under the tank, got it moving a bit but realised more work was needed.

Cut the deck out around the filler and breather pipes and banged it loose and really started to get close but realised I needed one more thing.

Cut about 2 inches off the filler and breather pipes and finally got it out!

A days work and lots of sweat and beer.