Trouble removing tank

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Junior Member
Guys, i'm restoring another boat now and i have a very big problem, i can't remove the gas tank. This thing is like is glued to the bottom of the boat. I removed all the foam except from the bottom and also the port side stringer, this thing doesn't budge. So my question is, can i cut it in pieces with a grinder?
The tank has been empty for the last 3 months and i can't smell any fumes when i stick my nose in the sender hole(sender and all hoses have been removed).
 
can you span your gunwhales with a heavy piece of lumber and hook a come-along into the sender hole and pull it out that way.

Theoretically aluminum doesnt spark when you cut it with a grinder so I guess you could go at it if you had to but I would probably fill it with a few inches of water first at least just to be sure.

I would try to pull it out first with a come along because once you start cutting it you will still have to get the bottom out which might be even harder without something to grab on to.
 
I completely argree with RWilson.. Don't cut it if you don't have to. The come-along is a great idea. You might also want to try a lot of metal wedges driven between the tank bottom and the hull. (Splitting wedges would be perfect). Just don't put all the force on one wedge. Tap one a little ways in, then another next to it, etc etc etc... that way the force isn't concentrated on just one area of the hull. Let physics do the work for you.

As an aside, as far as cutting goes... if you must cut it just fill the tank completely with water, then drain a little out... it's only the fumes that explode and by filling it completely you force all fumes out of the tank. Then attack it with a sawsall. The metal blade won't spark on the aluminum, so the job will be easy and safe. But by all means try and get it out in one piece first.
 
A friend I know was able to get one of them wire saw's like boy scouts do, wedge it under the tank and start sawing, add rope to ends to make it longer if you have to. works great on the foam!

Good Luck!!
 
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