VanDieman fuel cell removal

[Bill Johnson 42]

Have a late model VanDieman FC car and doing a complete frame up rebuild. Car is completely disassembled and floor is removed, only thing left is removing the fuel cell.

Is there a trick to getting the cell out? It appears to come out through the front lower section of drivers compartment but maybe a better way? Just don't want to damage the cell in the process and seems like it could come out but feels like it requires more force than it should to get it out.

Suggestions?

[JHerscher]

That's how I've always removed it - through the opening at the lower front.. Remove the foam first.

John

[Ken Lawrence]

Same here, remove foam, remove cell out the lower front. You might want to check the fuel line inside the cell. On my car the line broke at the fitting at the top of the cell during a race, instant DNF.

Ken

[Bill Johnson 42]

Thank you guys - Had not removed the foam before I tried so I'll do that.

Assume then I reassemble in reverse order and put the foam back in after the cell is back in the car.

[glenn cooper]

The upside down "V" brace must be removed - two bolts come up from the bottom, and one one at top of inverted V.
If you leave the fuel cap off, then push in on the cell, pushing the air out, then cap the cell quickly, it makes it easier to bend it out the bottom/front.

[Bill Johnson 42]

Success - thank you guys. Taking the foam out made just enough difference - still was about 10 times more difficult than I thought it should be. Even getting the foam out wasn't easy.

Thanks again

Bill