1989 Panther Gas Tank Replacement
 

I'm getting ready to replace the tank in my 1989 30' Scarab Panther. Looking for helpful tips. I removed the interior and the access panel in the cockpit floor. The tank goes beyond the opening!! Whats next? Has anyone out there done this job in this particular year and model?

I've done it on my old Panther (1986 model). I removed the rear seat which is screwed to the floor. Then I spend a few days doing my best to remove all of the foam around the outside of the tank. I then cut a hole in the top of the tank (after removing any fuel and putting some water in the tank) and connected chains to the tank and used a fork lift to try and lift the tank. I tried getting a piano wire under the tank to cut the foam but that was an excercise in futility.

Good luck, it isn't an easy job but eventually it will come out. I had the new tank built slightly shorter in length (2") so it was easier to put back in.

Thanks Panther.

i used a piece 3/8 threaded rod 2ft. long w/ 2 wing-nuts and 2 nuts cranked together real tight on one end of the threaded rod. grind down the tips of the wing nuts (smooth them off a little) you will be able to cut the foam on the front and sides all the way to the hull bottom go straight up and down then go at it on a 45.
then i scooped out the cut up foam w/ a 5 gal stir stick. it took me about 30 minutes to cut the foam, probably didn't need to scoop it out, grabbed onto it by the filler neck and came out no problem.
the rest of the foam comes right out w/ a flat shovel

oh yeah,
disconnect the fuel lines and point them in the bilge, fill the tank w/ water, and w/ compressor hooked up to vent line @ 5psi to drain it. the threaded rod i put into the drill, goes fast
good luck

just an idea, never tried it....they use electric carving knives to cut foam...might mow thru it but it shouldn't hurt anything if it bottoms out....

A bread knife works perfect for cutting foam.