Getting the gas tank out when bolts and underneath rusted

[tripleMX-3chicMS]

Ok guys.... You have helped get through some problem areas in the past...
But this time the gas tank HAS to come out because it is full of rusty mush.
I have everything to do the job... but I can't get the bolts out, the straps off,
the tank out, Nothing... I have already broken one bolt. Everything under the car is rusted
together... Everything underneath has become one with the car....LOL!
So what do i do? If i break them all off to get the tank out...Then what?
Some of those bolts are in the frame... Is there some way to rig it up different
once everything is outa there? Any ideas/ trouble shooting, would be helpful.
(No this isnt on the SE's) Is the GS ) :

[Maliceday]

Soak in layers of PB Blaster... I love that stuff and it has saved me many of broken bolts due to rust and such.

[mikeinaus]

if that doesnt work .grab a grinder or a dremel if there in a hard spot and start cutting. spray it all with water first to avoid starting a fire. or maybe one of those special sockets for removing stipped bolts? there called bolt extractors and look like this

[Inodoro Pereyra]

I agree with Maliceday. PBBlaster is really amazing stuff. And if it doesn't work anyways, just break the bolts off, and once you got the tank off the car, you can drill them and tap them again.
Water or not, I would definitely NOT recommend you to use a grinder anywhere near the gas tank, ever!

[Daninski]

I can't agree more. Disconnect the car battery and for gods sake watch your trouble light. One drop of fuel and your having a bad day. Any bolts that break off are easily drilled out. I found the rubber lines to be more of a b---- than the tank bolts. Spray alll the bolts then come back next day. Remember fuel vapour is more dangerous than liquid fuel so keep any source of ignition away from the tank even if it's empty,,,well except you Dee cuz you could start asbestoes on fire. (Dan tries to get back in Dee's good books).

[tripleMX-3chicMS]

ROFLMAO... Thanks guys... I tried two of the three. So far the bolts just turn and turn.
It feels like the bolts have nuts at the other end, and those nuts need to be held down
in order to turn the bolts. So i guess i have to break them all off, drill n tap new ones
and rig up new straps... Geez... why do i feel like im getting in WAY over my head?

[Daninski]

Some jobs go really well others are a little more of a pain. Just stick with it and next thing you know your done. You Can Doeeet.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

I have never done this kind of job on an MX-3, but, if I'm not mistaken, you should have easy access to the nuts by removing the rear seat. Most of the times, the nuts are tack welded to the sheet metal, so maybe those got loose.
You're not getting in over your head. That's a fairly simple job, as long as you take your time, watch what you're doing, and ALWAYS keep in mind that you're working around gas, and gas fumes.
If the nuts came off, and you want to weld new ones, make sure you put a welding blanket covering the fuel lines, and a fan running under the car, to dissipate the fumes wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[tripleMX-3chicMS]

Im just going to get it outa there and rig up something inventive to put the new tank back in.
Everything under the car turns to dust in my hand. So inventive is all i have at this point.
Im just going to clean it up as best i can and make it look pretty...

[tripleMX-3chicMS]

FINALLY got the tank out... New tank is in.. I was able to reuse the old straps and bolts as well.
Everything went back in like it was made to.... New gas tank is so pretty and clean...

[Daninski]

I said you could doeeet.