How do you get the top off of the gas tank?

[CTScott]

I am trying to drain and remove Crashy's gas tank for this weekend's welding. I don't have the spanner tool that the service manual shows. I have been trying to spin it off using a hammer and a piece of wood, but it's not turning. For those who have taken the top off to get at the fuel pump, how did you remove the top?

[yaris-me]

cali yaris changed his fuel pump. Try looking up his thread.

I looked it up and it doesn't say. Sorry.

[CTScott]

I got it. It took some serious pounding to get it loose. I was just being too gentle to begin with. I didn't want to use anything metal, to avoid making sparks, so I uses a deadblow hammer and a 3/4" x 3/4" piece of oak.

[CTScott]

Gas tank is now completely empty and out.

I now understand why our fuel gauge is so disproportionate. After I removed the tank top and pulled the fuel pump / gauge sender assembly, I pumped the tank out before dropping it. The tank was almost full and is about 12" deep. The first 5 gallons that I pumped out dropped the level by almost 8" and the second 5 gallons dropped it the remaining 4".

[06silveryaris]

Are you welding the tank:eek::eek::eek:. Better fill it with water if you are

[Yaris Hilton]

Yep. Exploding fumes are the danger. I used to know an old mechanic who'd carefully fill the tank to the top with gasoline to weld it. Flames would shoot all around, but he was safe as long as there was NO space for gas fumes to mix with air. He did it that way so he wouldn't have to get the water purged completely out of the tank before refilling it. I don't think OSHA would approve of his method, but it was sound in theory.

[06silveryaris]

I used to work in a machine shop and we welded alot of fuel cells for track cars and fuel deliveri tanks used in the pits for refueling we did the water filled tank and I knew a guy who would connect a hose and fill the tank with exhaust fumes from his car. He claimed the carbon molecules would cover the ones from the fuel fumes and would not allow it to ignite. I never did it that way but he still does and has yet to have accident.

[bronsin]

Hmm pretty smart. Any inert type of gas would do...and gas absorbs less heat than water. gasoline works too if you dont spill any so the torch can ignight the whole shebang!

[yaris-me]

He's welding a roll cage for Crashy. Took the tank out to be safe.

[CTScott]

He's welding a roll cage for Crashy. Took the tank out to be safe.

Correct. And, a plow frame underneath the car as well. The tank by the way is actually plastic.