Starting work on the Fuel Tank
To remove the tank (for silvering, and for cleaning and silvering the chassis behind), I would need to a) drain the tank, b) disconnect the feed pipes, c) remove the 2 clamps securing the tank, d) lift it clear.
The first task, draining the tank, was straightforward, but extremely messy. I had a strange tool (bought some years ago from Northampton market for 50p) which fitted the square drain plug in the base, and this promptly released about 10 gallons of dirty evil-smelling diesel into a series of basins (and up my arm).
The diesel is a dirty red-brown. Is this because the inside of the tank is rusty? Or because (Heaven forbid) someone used red diesel at one time? Or because diesel colours with age? I don't know.
After disconnecting the feed pipes (easy again), I supported one end of the tank with a jack and blocks of wood, and started to work on the clamps, but the 2 large nuts on each clamp showed no signs of shifting after 1 hour of struggle and constant spraying with WD40. So after leaving them overnight with no result, I used the grinder to cut a slice off each nut, being careful to avoid damaging the clamp thread. The nuts then yielded to persuasion and came off!
I then decided to remove the lower section of 2 uprights (on the right in the photo) to allow easy access. The tank, even though virtually empty, was still extremely heavy, so I called neighbour Mike away from his computer to help me lift it out.
This document
maintained by JohnB@crownsys.co.uk.
Material Copyright © 2006 John Braga