1980 Air Cooled Petrol Tank removal

[mgbman]

Help please. I am trying to take the petrol tank out to replace with new and do gear linkage middle bushes at same time and whatever else needs doing above the tank.

I thought the tank straps were simply bolted on but not so. The bolts have nuts behind which I cant get at as there is little room. I can see the nuts but would need a very thin spanner to grip them.

Any ideas? Also the bolts are very long. Is this correct? The tank looks quite good so probably not original. The filler pipe is plastic and not metal.

[Plasticman]

silly question but have you tried to undo them? i ask cos they are captive nuts (square),as in welded to the x member,unless they have been changed out and if so then a spanner of sorts will get to them,
mm

[mgbman]

Sadly they are not captive nuts. The long thin bolts don't look correct and the hexagonal nuts turn when the bolts are turned.

Looks like a previous owner used whatever nuts and bolts they had at the time. There are no captive nuts. The tank is not the original.

Maybe I will try some long nosed pliers to try to grip the nuts. Have applied plenty of Plus Gas.

[Plasticman]

drain it and fill the bugger with water and cut the bolts through
mm

[mgbman]

Many thanks. I think that is the best solution.