Today the tank came out. It was already toast, but I needed it out to inspect more of the frame anyway.
As you can see:
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
Whatever is in there looks like oil (it doesn't smell of oil or fuel though) and it's never feeding this car again.
Getting it out meant I could see the front part of the frame and see if there was any obvious rust or rot (or leaking). Judging a book by its cover is dangerous, but this looks promising none the less:
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
When the frame is off/engine is out I'll be better able to judge where it matters, but what I've seen is solid. I believe it could be left alone for some time, but that isn't the plan, nor am I in any hurry, so the frame is coming off and being made ready for the next 30+ years.
All four calipers are off now (one needed a breaker bar for the entire thread, even though I soaked it several times!), so the wheels are on so I can roll it about. This is due to some upcoming work on the garage doors that'll mean the D has to move outside for a day or two:
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
The only downside; getting the tank out meant draining the radiator (which, again, is going) and the water was mostly clean but a bit milky in places. So, next weekend, the engine gets a looksee and a turn (if it'll do so). I've already checked the oil and it's golden, so perhaps recent. That doesn't mean it wasn't nasty previously. If it is, it is. Plenty I can do back there