1930 trim removal needed for fuel tank removal

[clocey]

All
I am fairly new to the Barn and I have learned a lot reading through the threads. I have to pull the fuel tank out of my '30 due to a leak at the steering wheel support. I have the Mechanic's Handbook and it walks through the tank removal. BUT....how do I remove the stainless trim that wraps over the cowl without damaging it? There is only one very small blemish in it and I would love to re-install it when the tank is fixed.

Thanks in advance for the advice.
Curt

[A31Woody]

In my car I took off the interior kick panels and I was able to expose the nuts that hold the trim near the bottom of the cowl. Going from memory, I think they're 1/2".

[Tom Wesenberg]

If you have a Fordor doesn't the tank drop down and out from the inside of the car, with no need to remove the cowl band?

[Bob C]

Tom, it's a 30

Bob

[clocey]

Correct, the 30 tank lifts out to the top. I will look for the nuts in the cowl area. What about the top where it goes over the tank? Is it fastened or held on bu the bottom bolts?

[columbiA]

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On the lower cowl band on each side there is a threaded stud on an angle that goes thru a hole just up from the front cowl mount bolt.You can use a 1/2" deep socket with a 3/8" drive to remove the nuts.Spray the exposed threads & nuts with Liquid Wrench or similar-not WD-40.If the threads are very rusty,the stud could be twisted off or damage the cowl band.

[clocey]

It looks like I wasted your time and a few bytes of disk space. There is reference to the cowl band in the manual and like A31Woody said, there are a few nuts on the inside that need to be removed. It looks like there is one high one that can be reached in the car and another lower one that is accessed under the car or bu removing the floor boards.
Curt

[clocey]

Thanks for the advice columbiA - I missed it while typing.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Clocey, we have a lot of time & wasting disc space is NOT like wastin' paper in school, & you WON'T GET PUNISHED! Bill W.

[jw hash]

under the hood down at the end of the cowl band there is a 7/16" nut on both sides. you have to look around the lower leg of the cowl. and if you have a ratchet wrench they work the best when the body is on. if the body is off there is a hole under the cowl that you can get to the nut with a socket.

[clocey]

Sprayed them with PB Blaster last night and unfortunately I do not have a ratchet wrench. I did work on one and got it most of the way off before it started getting tight again and I stopped to spray it and let it soak for a while.
I hope to be able to contribute to the board at some time rather than always taking knowledge. If there is anyone in my area that needs a hand, let me know.

Curt

[Craig Lewis]

Curt the thread is 1/4-20NC. If you can screw a threading die up the exposed threads first, it'll nicely remove the rust so the nut just spins off.
Breaking off the stud could result in a lengthy repair and descent cowl bands are hard to find.
Smarter guys than me have said the nut is 1/2" ....but it also could be 7/16 hex or square.

[clocey]

Thanks for all the advice. with a lot of patience I successfully got the two nuts off. I have now removed 11 if the 12 bolts that connect the tank to what I think it the windshield belt rail (steel part just below the windshield opening and above the tank). I am not overly concerned about the last bolt yet (far left bolt under the windshield pillar).
My question for everyone now is how should I go about removing the two screws that hold the windshield belt tail to the pillars? Both screws are rusted solid? I am ready to drill them out, but I thought I should ask for advice first. One screw is perfect looking and the other is a little rough.
Curt

[columbiA]

It was back in 58 that I removed the tank on a 31 Victoria,and I dont remember having to remove the rail between WS & tank.But,memory fades after that length of time.

[clocey]

I do not see a way around it and it is stated as a step in the Mechanic's Handbook