...tips for removing fuel tank/rusty nuts?

[Andy348]

I embarked on getting my fuel tank out yesterday. Both the exhaust and driveshaft came out with little hesitation, so I quickly cleaned off the fuel tank nuts and WD40'd (penetrating oil) all of them multiple times. Now I'm having extreme difficulty getting them off. It seems like they're sized between 11 and 12, as the 12 is too big and will strip the nuts, but the 11 is too small. I've tried the standard equivalents with no luck. My first thought was to heat it up with a torch, but I for obvious reasons I decided not to. I'm not against trying to grab it with some vice grips but I have no idea what to do for the nuts that aren't easily accessible (i.e. pushed up against the side of the car, 6" up).

Any help is appreciated.

[vpilarrt]

First of all WD40 is not penetrating oil. Get some Kroil or PB Blaster, etc. I just did this last weekend and I know what you mean about the nuts. I had to loosen the subfame and drop it 3-4" to get to some of them. Luckily I had changed the subframe mounts a few months ago and they came out easily. I ended up breaking the bolt above the fuel filter and had to drill it out and tap it. No fun.

[b*saint]

torch. j/k.

[Kershaw]

angle grinder. totally ok to leave the gas tank open too. with gas in it.

the sparks will not ignite anything. no worries.