XJ12 locked fuel caps

You can’t drop the tanks with the filler necks attached, they are screwed onto the side guard:

If I understand the mechanism correctly, the lock just locks the push button and not the entire fuel cap.

I would have had my drill and hardest bit in action and destroyed the tumblers… Cobalt!!!

Decades ago, I twisted the ignition key in my IHC Scout II. No start! but, stuck in run!!! Key busted off flush with tumbler.

So very carefully, I reached in over a front wheel and jumped the start solenoid. engine fired.

Drove to the local master Lock Smith. Not uncommon. assigned apprentice. Diamond tip hoe saw. Cut the retaining ring and freed the tumbler. Sized anew tumbler complete with key. Bette, stouter key… Reasonable fee. I much pleased…

Correct.
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Having said that, I see no reason why the filler cap wouldn’t come loose with the pins removed…

I have my S3 caps dismantled at the moment, so I tried and yes you can.
But on the earlier recessed caps you can’t access the pin without taking them out.