David,
I split the tank halves by first cleaning and flushing the inside by using that “purple stuff” to remove any residual petroleum products and associated “odors”. (important for the next step!) I then, while the wife is still sleeping, slide the tank into the kitchen oven and set the temp about as low as it will go. My (our) oven goes down to 170 degrees so I prop the door open a bit with a thing she has that looks like a spoon and is made out of wood to “control” the temperature.
Bake until thoroughly warmed. I usually go about 37 minutes. Your time may vary if you have a better oven than my crappy old one.
I have not had any problems with the paint using low oven heat, but low and slow seems to be the way to go with the heat.
Pop it out when it warm and toasty and start removing the screws that hold the tank halves while still warm It seems that the heat softens any old sealing goop that may be on the threads and usually the screws ease right out. Of course there is the steel/aluminum factor.. Go easy. Out of the 5 or 6 tanks I have done, I have had only one screw head snap off which I was able to remove when the tank came apart.
Usually the tank halves will now separate. I certainly believe that the warmth makes the gaskets willing to give up more easily. Sometimes another trip to the kitchen followed by maybe just a little persuasion with a soft rubber hammer usually does the trick.
I think the all over heat makes this all work. Just a heat gun won’t do it, I don’t believe.
There are tank lining compounds and you can cut your own gaskets if you have enough patience but I’ve always had great luck with Larson’s gasket sets. Not cheap, but good.
Just the way I do it….. I could be wrong…. Your mileage may vary…
Bob
