So I'm getting ready to buy a new carb and it dawned on me. Shouldn't I make sure my gas tank isn't full of rust? I'll siphon some gas from the bottom of the tank but I'm sure I'll find it's pretty bad in there.

How would I go about pulling the tank out of a 69 Westie? 

thanks gang
Scott

What the Godfather said, and FYI, there are a couple of screws that you will probably never see (but that won't let go) that come up from the bottom and into the bulkhead panel.  I take my fuel tanks to the Radiator shop on Broad St, downtown.  They clean them, do any needed repairs, coat and paint them.  Nice little job they do on them.

I just did this on Penelope and luckily, the panel was removed. I could see having to pull the engine on an upright engine, but that should be pretty easy with a floor jack. I got mine out without removing the engine. I bought 2 gallons of muratic acid and a gallon of acetone. I also got eastwoods sealer for 29 bucks. Cleaned the gunk out with some acetone, rinse,  and fill with diluted acid and water( do what you oughta, put your acid in the wata'- so it doesn't blow back on you). Rinse, clean with acetone to dry out the tank. I ran a hair dryer in it for a while till it's dry. Then follow the instructions on the tank sealer. Worked beautifully! If you have questions, ask.

use bolts or marbles as aggitators when breaking up gunk and rust

In that case it sounds like a fuel filter will suffice because you just decided there wasn't enough rust/gunk to necessitate pulling the tank!

Ya know...On second thought I think I'll just go with a fuel filter because there doesn't appear to enough rust/gunk to necessitate pulling the tank. (wow, Jedi mind trick?)   

Whew, glad THAT'S over.

On to the next task.

Thanks guys...