I found my build sheet on top of the gas tank.  I could feel it with my fingers.  It was folded up and felt like it was glued to the tank.

My question is:  Should I leave it in place or remove it?

For me 3 options:
  I have read that one should leave it in place.  More original that way..
  I have also read where they "dropped" the gas tank to remove it.
  Or should I just "rip and tear" to remove it.   THANKS

Steve,

After repeated rubbing, I was able to lift the build sheet off nearly perfectly, and I laminated another sheet on the back.

I also scanned it & made a copy (laminated) which I  placed on my new tank before I installed it.

Good luck.........Anthony

Mine was not in very good shape but it was there when I puled the body off. A little work with the picture editer and I was able to read almost everything on it. Redwingvette2008-01-22 18:35:50

Do NOT try to just reach up and pull it out! You WILL be unhappy with what you get...a small corner....

I'd agree with Anthony, and say leave it, until you need to remove the tank for some reason, then CAREFULLY drop the tank. Take quality pics of it before doing anything else. Take several just in case.
You're lucky if your '74 still has it. Most were the subject of a recall involving one of the return "nipples" on the top side of the tank. They weren't all soldered correctly, and developed leaks. GM recalled those identified as having the bad tanks. The repair meant removal of the tank, which meant the build sheet was the first thing to get scrapped.
My '74 was one of the unfortunate ones to have this done. There was, however, tell-tell evidence of where it was, at one time. Mine was actually glued ON TOP OF one of the tank straps! This means, if you pull the tank, the build sheet would get torn, anyway.
I would suggest you take the spare tire carrier out, and get a flexible mirror and bright light, to see if you can tell if the build sheet is off to the side of the strap, or on on top of it. If you determine it is on top, then I wouldn't take the tank out unless absolutely necessary.

I dropped my tank 10 years ago and even though the sheet was intact it was unreadable

[QUOTE=Fifty7Belair]...even though the sheet was intact it was unreadable...[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=manget1]Joel, if I recall, I believe you had told me that your car was fairly early in production in 74. Do you recall if the recall effected early, late or the entire production run? My car was the 21,006th produced for ’74.[/QUOTE]

Don't think my '74 is considered an "early" car...#33177, berfday of June 27, '74! Musta been someone else...
I'm not sure if I have the recall dates info...I'll have to dig around and see...

Thanks for all the input everyone..
Today I'll do the mirror trick.   It may be stuck partially on the tank strap.

So I guess nobody goes for the option of just leaving it in place and as is.
My car is never driven in bad weather. So the build sheet shouldn't deteratete any further than it already has. Wouldn't leaving in place add the to the value for a future owner?

How hard is it to drop the tank?  Guess I could, and at the same time do some restoration and detail work  to that general area.   THANKS....