Hi kcbford1,
It looks like you have a diaphram carb on that engine, with the dip tube coming out the bottom. Meaning that, the tank bolted to the bottom of the carb. That tank and carb have to stay together.

You could however, change to a float bowl type carb and mount the tank above the level of the carb somewhere.
The float needle keeps the carb from being flooded. It's a good idea to have a separate shut-off valve on the tank, though.

buzzardbait