[petrolhead611]

Looks like I have no choice but to try and remove this as 6 attempts using 3 well known brands of repair putty have all failed the moment a gallon of gas was poured into the tank-wondering if the ethanol in modern fuel just instantly attacks the putty. If anyone knows of a brand that really works with modern petrol, please advise .
Anyway I have concerns as follows:
Is the tiny space between rear of gearbox and spare wheel bay sufficient for moving transmission back to disengage it from the torque tube, or does the engine have to be moved forward off of its mountings? How does one remove the exhaust heat shield nuts that have seen 25 English winters;cannot use heat as have a leaking fuel tank. Do I hacksaw it off leaving enough metal on each mountinmg stud to weld it back together? How to separate the exhaust back box form the rest as it has also seen 25 winters but is still in good order-I don't want to buy some after-market silencer that makes a stupid noise..Do people just saw through the pipe then sleeve it on re-assembly?.