Triumph Repair: Gas Tank Removal, flat blade, tank removal

Question
I have a 1979 Spitfire that has been sitting for a while. It looks like the gas has all evaporated leaving behind some smelly brown powder. I want to remove the gas tank to clean and treat it and I have removed all the bolts. The gas tank appears free except for where it ties into the chrome filler cap on the exterior of the car. I can't seem to figure out how to release the tank from the filler and my web searches don't provide an answer. Thanks in advance for any tips and/od advice.

Answer
Fred,

Typically the rubber filler neck piece "glues" it's way onto the metal of the tank and filler cap.

I've found using a small flat blade screwdriver or hooked tool to reach under and pull the rubber away from the metal helps to release it.


Cheers,

Jim