Fuel tank

[Geoff Butcher]

I'm thinking about fitting a new fuel tank and I see from the build manual that an assistant is needed, so my question is, is it possible to do it on your own, or shall I just give up and let my tame garage struggle with it?

[Stuart]

I've not done this job on a mk3 myself, however I imagine the only problem will be holding bolts-heads inside the car, I've gotten around this problem lots of times by simply clamping mole-grips to the bolt head in such a way that they wedge against another part of the body whilst you're under the car tightening the nut on.

On my mk2 I had the washers welded to the bolts and a flat on the washer against the body prevented any turning.

[Geoff Butcher]

On my mk2 I had the washers welded to the bolts and a flat on the washer against the body prevented any turning.

Good plan for next time, Stuart, but I expect the present nuts and bolts have been rusting away for the last 21 years

[manifold]

Get the 4inch angle grinder/dremle cutting wheel in from underneath and chop the bolts off at an angle.... I wouldnt even attempt to fight old bolts on a midas.

Just make sure you empty the fuel tank properly first and put some water in it...

I put M8 stainless bolts on stainless penny washers in their place, with nylocs.

2 at front, 2 at back. I didnt bother with the side bracket as I feel its a waste of time.

Like Stuart says, a pair of molegrips to hold the bolt till it starts to nip up will do the trick and next time they will pop off nice and easy.

Cheers,

David