I temporarily fitted the fuel tank on the frame and used a sharp
utility knife to mark the top edge as shown in [39]. The marked
frame is shown in [40].
Using a hacksaw, I made two vertical cuts in the fuel tank area
that come down just below the line just marked. Make four
horizontal cuts on each side, one at the front of the fuel tank,
one at the rear of the fuel tank, one about ½” ahead of the fuel
tank, and one about ½” behind the fuel tank. These cuts should
be made all the way through the thinner part of the frame;
stop cutting when you get to the thicker part. These cuts are
shown in [41].
Next use a cut-off disk in a motor tool to make a horizontal
cut along the whole length of the fuel tank. This cut should be
made below the line you marked and should go in to the same
depth as the horizontal cuts you made in the frame with the
hacksaw. Do this on both sides of the fuel tank.
40
40. The frame marked for modification.
Pan-Am SD45R part 2 - 3
41. The frame after the first cuts.
41
42
42. Making the horizontal cut to the fuel tank.
MRH-Nov 2014