leave gas tank in?

I'm replacing the in tank gas pump in a 240 Wagon. The car is off the ground
enough that the tank lowering is easy. But...I'm not sure how to disconnect the
filler hose.. I'm thinking maybe about just removing the top access and
pulling the innards out and doing a simple replacement. The problem is that
keeping the top of the tank clean could be a problem and wouldn't be if I had
the gas tank on a bench.
So:
A. how do I remove the filler hose ? or
B. Good/bad idea to do it through the access port on the floor of the car.
All my printed reasources say remove the tank
Thanks Rojo

 

I would leave the tank in, there's no need to remove it. You can clean
the top of the tank through the access port. Use compressed air, or one
of those engine degreasers followed by a garden hose (just let it dry
before continuing!)

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

NOTE: new address!!
Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)