S2 fuel tank straps

[frearther]

Can anyone provide pictures or sketches of the fuel tank retaining straps for an S2? Mine rusted away long ago, and I never got farther along than replacing them with plumbers' galvanized hanger strapping. Now I'd like it to look neater bu am not sure how to make it look more original (or even neater than it is now).

The parts manual is no help.

[Mazzini]

Aren't the tanks held down by three studs that are fixed to the underside of the tank? The studs come through the body and are secured by flat washers and nylocs. I think some thin padded tape can be used to hold the tank off the body to reduce moisture (leaky boot, I have an S2) and condensation from the cold fuel - otherwise the tank can rust through.

[frearther]

How interesting. When mine came from the PO, it had black steel straps about an inch wide doing the job. I guess it's time for a rethinking of the subject.

[Tonyw]

Hi,

My S3 DHC has three fixing studs that go through the body also.

Tonyw

[Elanintheforest]

They all had three studs, Art, but it's easy for those to shear off when undoing the rusty nuts, which I guess is what happened to yours. Sounds like a new tank maybe required...not big money.

Mark

[frearther]

Thanks, all. I guess that also solves the mystery of the open holes on the bodywork beneath the tank.

[Andy Wiltshire]

Hello Art.
I can confirm what Tony and Mark have both said. The series 1 through to Sprint models all had tanks held in place by three studs through the boot floor. There were no straps involved (there were on the +2 but that is a completely different shaped tank).
Another point of note is that the tank is the same shape and capacity throughout the range which contradicts some original and more recent literature.
Andy Wiltshire
Axminster Specialist Panels
http://www.andywiltshire.com
Please see above website for the range of Elan tanks that I make.

[Mazzini]

Hi Andy,

I thought the tanks on the S1-S3's held 10 imperial gallons and that was reduced to 9.5 on the S4 and Sprints, this was due to the increase in tyre size from 145 x 13 to 155 x 13 - a fully inflated spare wouldn't fit next to the tank.

By the way, I will be buying one of your excellent tanks later in the year.

Cheers,

Louis

[Famous Frank]

Art, all the tanks from S1 through S4 had three boltsattached to thebottom of the tank that were fastened with a flat washer and nut from the underside of the car. Additionally, there is a rubber washer that the tank sits on at the bottom of the boot. I don't know of any of the later tanks being a different size.

Frank

[Mazzini]

Under capacities the official workshop manual states -

Fuel - Series 1, 2, 3 - 10 galls. (45 litres; 12 US galls.)
- Series 4 - 9 1/4 galls. (42 litres; 11 US galls.)

I imagine Lotus stopped making the 10 gall tanks with the end of the S3 run, since then a lot of cars have had the smaller tanks fitted as replacements.

[aratchet]

Actually, there was a different tank that Lotus fit to S4 Elans.It was placed up between the rear uprights exactly as a Plus 2. But, of course shortened to fit. It was held in with straps and surrounded by sound deadening felt as in a Plus 2. They had a right angle fuel filler tube to meet with the filler pipe on the side of the tank. All the installations I have seen were professionally and neatly done. I assume it was an early attempt to satisfy the then new Federal Evaporative Standards, which this tank incorporated. I have seen about 3 or 4 circa 1970 S4s have these tanks. It was never drawn or described in parts lists or service bulletins. Later 1970s reverted to the tank in boot floor with a separate evaporative catch tank bolted to the right hand side of the tank in the gap between the tank and the bumper area.As an aside this installation in an S4 lead me to discover a fuel starvation symptom that only occurred under load up hills. I traced to the banjo bolt being partly filled with rust and other debris. And have since found many Plus 2 tanks with this problem. To obviate it I fashion a screen over the pick up bung in the tank.

[Andy Wiltshire]

Hello Louis,

When I started making the tanks a number of years ago I was of this belief as well. However, from checking lots of cars and many customers existing tanks (100+ Elan tanks sold), I am of the firm belief that the general tank fitted in the s1 through to the s4 and Sprint models was of the same shape and capacity.

Experience has taught me that within many Lotus books, publications and original info (and the odd forum post) there are often inaccuracies. Look forward to hearing from you.

Hi Aratchet,

Yes, I've no doubt that you are right. I have discovered differences to odd tanks and whilst they are generally the same shape and capacity (no difference between the models per se) not one Lotus car is the same as another.

Andy Wiltshire
Axminster Specialist Panels
http://www.andywiltshire.com

[Mazzini]

Dear Andy,

You're very probably right, I've never checked...but I can remember when it cost ?20 to fill the tank on my S3

Still haven't decided if I'll got for EFI or retain the carbs on my current S2, but as soon as we've decided I'll be in touch.

Cheerio,

Louis