cabriolet fuel tank related problems

Hi, Have an 88 clipper cabby 1.8 carb engine can the fuel tank be removed without disturbing or removing rear axle beam as Ihave a tank with corroded neck and the tank does have a fair bit of crap in it after removing the sender /fuel pipes and looking in the tank. The fuel pipes are also in the process of being renewed as they are rotten as well and suspect the return line may have also contributed more crap.the fuel suction bellmouth doesnt take much to block it up is there any modifications that can be carried out, obviously having the tank gauge sender on the same access limits what you can do. many thanks
I'm not very clever but i can lift heavy weights

apparently some tanks can be taken off without dropping the back axle, i just got a garage to do mine as i really wouldnt trust myself, they put a hose through the tank for 4 hours and still rust and bits were coming out, they advised getting a new tank but i havent got round to sourcing one yet, you ck can try getting a magnet pen (from wilkinsons - couple of quid) and sticking that in the tank near the pick up, that will pick up some stuff, other than that keep the pick up mesh clean and keep your fuel high!