Fuel Tank Removal

[gboyd]

I have to remove my 1970 Fuel tank to check for leaks. I definitely have a leak somewhere.  Do I need to remove my fuel pump in order to remove the tank?  I took out the bolts, but I can't get it to drop forward due to the fuel pump lines.

Greg.

[w113dude]

No you don't have to remove the fuel pump. The best way is to use something to crimp the rubber lines from dripping down, use two locking vise-grips to pinch the lines and yes they have to come off the tank in order for you take it down.

If I remember it correctly there are four or five nuts that hold the tank up. make sure to drain fuel through the center fuel filter before dropping the tank.

[gboyd]

I have everything disconnected. The 4 mounting bolts are off.  But I can not get it to drop forward and down ( to remove the filler tube) because the metal pipe off the fuel pump is in the way. You can see it in the 3rd picture in this technical manual post.  http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Fuel/Tank

I have the large tank. The front corner drops forward and sits on the fuel pipe.

[wwheeler]

Is it possible that some of the tank tar pads are stuck to the bottom of the trunk panel?

When I took the tank off my W111, I had to give it a bit of a tug to get the pads to release. Had I not bought a new tank before removing the old tank, I wouldn't have known about the pads.

[ja17]

Remove the cover around the fuel tank filler neck in the trunk. This should allow the tank to drop out..

[seattle_Jerry]

I found getting it back in to be more interesting

[gboyd]

The saga is over. On a 70, you definitely have to drop the fuel pump to get the tank to shift forward and out. I had a small hole on the front top. Apparently this is not all too uncommon. A mechanic told me it has happened on other cars on that same spot.
The tank was repaired and repainted. And no more gas smell. $80.00. What a relief.