> If I've missed something here and the procedure is really "so simple a
> child
> could do it", please respond with advice as to how this seemingly simple
> procedure consumed a weekend of my mechcanical effort and is still slightly
> unfinished.

I did not find R&R of the fuel tank terribly difficult, but I can add
one tidbit of advice if you have not already covered this.  Have a new
fuel filter ready to install.  Dislodging all of the sediment in the
bottom of my diesel tank (same as gas) was enough to plug the fuel
filter and prevent my van from starting.  A fresh filter fixed the problem.

Michael Snow
1982 Westfalia 1.9D
1986 GL
1987 Syncro GL