alloy fuel tank

[rdssdi]

I have attached some photos of my new alloy fuel tank. It was made by Andy Wiltshire. It is truly a work of art. I added Mocal breather vents and had the tank height slightly reduced to accomodate the breathers.

Bob
1969 Elan +2 (LHD Federal)

[pmpsantos]

Hi! Nice JOB!

How much it costs? Can you send me the company contacts? Shall they send it to Portugal?

cheers,
Pedro.

[msd1107]

I believe Andy sells on Ebay from time to time. However, I couldn't find a recent listing.

On Ebay, angelheartpancho makes alloy tanks for various other vintage sports cars. He probably could make one for you. He is in the San Diego USA area.

David
1968 36/7988

[rdssdi]

http://www.andywiltshire.com/
This is Andy's web site.

Axminster Specialist Panels.

e-mail: [email protected]

Bob

[pmpsantos]

Thank you very much!

It cost 230lib !

[gwnorth68]

I replaced my rusty Elan S3 tank with an 8 gallon (US) ATL fuel cell. Fits without too much difficulty and should be safer in the event of an unplanned occurance. (I was a little concerned at the complete lack of rear structure in an Elan). Cost about $450 Canadian.
Of course it's not authentic if you are one of those who cherishes retention of Chubby's design purity.

[alaric]

That looks just the job - I've just contacted Andy re spec. What are the Mocal breather vents? Do you still use the original plastic pipes or are they removed now?

Thanks.

Sean.

[rdssdi]

The Mocal breathers I used feature AN -6 fittings. I am planning on using a 90 degree -6 female to hose barb fitting. As these breather vents are supposed to block fuel from roll over or splash, I will run new vent lines accross the top of the tank to the original exit. Avoiding the Lotus vent line placement accross the roof. This tank will have less capacity as I ordered it with a lower height. That way I will be able to have clearance at the top of the tank for the breathers and lines. There is little room between tank and parcel shelf.

I have encountered a problem. The filler neck was damaged in transit. I had not seen it when first received. I went to place the tank in the car today and noticed the problem. I have contacted Mr. Wiltshire for instructions on straightening the neck. It appears to be minor.

Bob

[Elanman99]

Bob

I too bought a tank from Andy and was very impressed with the quality of his workmanship but I also had a problem with the fuel outlet pipe!

When my steel tank failed I posted a wanted ad (I cant remember where!) and got one reply from someone who had sold an Elan tank to Andy on eBay as he wanted an original tank to use as a pattern. I then contacted Andy and he made me a tank to order very quickly. I had requested the fuel outlet stub was 3/8" OD whisc it was. However it pointed slightly uphill and the boot floor board would not sit flat.

I very carefully tried to tighten the bend on the aluminium outlet stub, it probably moved 1mm before it snapped off! Andy offered to repair the tank by return but I had it done locally to save postage and time.

I am not conversant with the Plus 2 tank arrangement but having seen the picture of yours I am curious why the filler tube enters half way down the tank, surely that must be slow to fill?

Ian

[rdssdi]

The fuel inlet enters at mid height becaause its a Lotus.

One may speculate as to why it is that way. I assume that the location for the tank was fixed by the car design and the fender mounted filler neck is too low to offer above the tank filling.

The original prototype for the Elan +2, The Meteor, had the filler neck on the sail panel above the rear fender (wing). That would allow for a filler neck fully above the tank.

That location was scraped as it leaked fuel. Not unlike what the current filler cap does. So it goes.

Bob

[msd1107]

Bob is correct. As long as the fuel nozzle is higher than the top of the fuel tank, gravity will ensure filling.

The position of the breather has an effect on filling, though.

If the car is on a level surface, it doesn't matter where the breather is.

However, if you are filling up on an upslope, a downslope, or a sideslope, where the breather is located determines how close to full you can fill the tank. So to take into account all possibilities, there should be four breathers located at the four corners of the fuel tank.

I don't know of anybody that does that. Usually, if you care, you bounce the car when the hose clicks off the first time. Hopefully, the gas movement displaces the air bubble and allows you to fill to the top of the fill tube.

For other of my cars, I drive the car to the correct spot by the gas pump so that the car is pointed slightly up or down, depending on where the gasoline enters the tank.

David
1968 36/7988