Post-War Other Herald Gas Tank Removal

[Herald63nut]

As anyone successfully removed the gas tank from a Herald without first removing the drain plug? My plug resists removal. All my attempts have failed to have the plug clear the hole in the floor panel. A a related matter, once I siphon the gas from the tank, what is my best next step in terms of clearing it of fumes? H20? Thanks!

 

[Andrew Mace]

It does take a bit of maneuvering, but it will come out. <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">Under no circumstances do you want to remove the drain plug!</span></span> Odds are it'll come free, along with a fair bit of the bottom of the tank.

 

[Herald63nut]

Andy,
Thanks once again. Must be a trick to it that once solved will result in an aha! moment.
Bob

 

[Andrew Mace]

There IS a bit of a trick to it...but for the life of me I don't remember exactly what that trick is. :frown: Many, many years ago, I had the same level of frustration you're having and gave up for a long, long time on the job (wasn't critical at the time, fortunately). A couple years ago, for the first time in a long time, I had to do it again on another Herald. Dumb luck or what, I don't know, but the tank came out pretty quickly. The only place it really gets hung up much is the filler neck through the fender. And if I remember correctly, it helps a great deal to remove the trunk lid stay and whatever part of the bracket for same that bolts to the body (and the tank, IIRC).

AHA! Maybe that's the trick, now that I think about it!

 

[70herald]

There IS a bit of a trick to it...but for the life of me I don't remember exactly what that trick is.

Allot of wiggling it around and the like. The trunk support and the little bracket that hold it need to come out, but no special "trick" is needed.

 

[Herald63nut]

Thanks. I will take another go at it.

 

[NickMorgan]

I have removed the tank from a couple of Heralds and I have never undone the drain plug. I don't really remember it being a problem.