gas tank removal

Whats all involved in dropping the gas tank, do you have todisassemble the rear-end. I have to do this because a previous owner of the car went with the trap door method for the fuel pump and it looks like they cut it with a chain saw. I am going to make a removable plate over the hole as I dont know if fuel smell is a problem as I havent drove the car since its sort of in pieces.

Relieve fuel system pressure
Drain fuel tank
Raise vehicle
Remove fuel filler neck shield
Remove rear axle assembly
Remove exhaust pipe and muffler
Remove muffler heat shield
Disconnect fuel feed pipe assembly from fuel sender assembly, fuel return, vapor and vent hoses at sender assembly
Disconnect electrical connector
With aid of an assistant, support fuel tank, and remove fuel tank strap front attaching bolts, fuel tank straps and remove fuel tank

Wouldn't it be easier to use a set of pneumatic shears to clean up the cut, then install
the plate with the tank and pump still in-place? While it's open, check the lines and
make sure all 4 are properly connected.

Carefully cutting the trap door is so easy, just plunge through very slowly with a cutoff wheel. I would NEVER drop the tank.

Fuel smell should never be a problem if everything is installed correctly and functioning. The tank access to the FP and sending unit should have a air/fuel tight seal and the vapor from the tank should be sealed in the charcoal canister system and purged into the intake manifold at the TB. The gas cap is a one-way valve in only and should not leak fumes. The trap door cover is to block out outside elements like dirt, splashed up water, outside air and noise.

I also went thru the rear pan to access the fuel sending unit. Very easy to do maintenance.