Fuel tank outlet

[Oldthumper]

I bought a new Old stock tank off fleabay, with outlet at the bottom. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of its origin?
I have cleaned its inside and sealed it and have obtained connecting fittings, but am just curious about it!

[billwill]

Is there any sign that a top outlet was there & has been sealed.

If not presumable it was some sort of prototype.

With the outlet that low is it not likely to get sludge in the outlet pipe?

[vstibbard]

All of the 6 Elans I've owned had the outlet at the top of the tank.

V

[Oldthumper]

Hi Bill,no there is no sign of the normal outlet pipe at the top. Sludge and muck in the tank is a bit of a concern,so will just have to try it and see what happens,and keep a good eye on the inline filter.
The fixing studs are also different,in that they are mounted in such a way that they actually raise the tank a fraction above the boot floor,thus hopefully keeping the base dry,in at least slightly circulating air.
The top and sides are also pressed to add some stiffness.
Obviously quite a bit of thought has gone into the construction of this tank and it would be interesting to know who made it!

Ray S4fhc

[RichardHawkins]

Ray,

My old fuel tank (1968 S4)has a drain plug at the bottom. Could this have been adapted on your tank, or have I not understood your post.

Richard Hawkins

[Oldthumper]

Richard,
No, this new tank has a drain plug in the normal position,nicely strengthened. There is no sign at all of the normal outlet,and the side outlet is tapped for a normal plumbing fitting.
The fuel gauge aperture is in the correct place,size and tapped for the screws.
I suppose I shall just try connecting it up via this lower outlet, and see if there are any problems.
All very curious.

Ray s4fhc

[Oldthumper]

A couple more pictures

[patrics]

Hi Ray,
May be I haven't thought it through but I wouldn't use a tank with out let at the bottom. If / when the out let hose perishes it could be a big leak.

Regards
Steve

[Oldthumper]

Hi Steve,
Yes, that is a bit of a nagging thought for me too. I think I shall just have to force myself into a regular replacement routine for the fuel pipes. I have a Facet electric pump mounted near to the tank with new rubber pipes connecting,so at least all is readily accessible.
I'm really at a loss to understand why it was designed that way,as most other details seem to be obvious improvements.

Ray S4fhc

[billwill]

Since, presumably, your tank is dry and never yet contained petrol, you could screw a plug in that outlet and then drill a hole in the top, in the conventional place, and insert an L shaped piece of 10mm copper pipe as a new outlet and solder it in.

[rgh0]

Hi Ray,
May be I haven't thought it through but I wouldn't use a tank with out let at the bottom. If / when the out let hose perishes it could be a big leak.

Regards
Steve

you dont want to drive a plus 2 then

cheers
Rohan

[patrics]

Didn't realise that +2 was like that - I do have one for rebuild I think that is something I would change!

Changing hoses on a regular basis might not be so easy as the tank will probably never be empty enough to get around to it

Regards
Steve

[jimj]

Just run your 10mm copper from your outlet, vertically, on the outside of the tank, there`s plenty of room there. In fact that`s a good spot for your electric fuel pump too.
Jim

[Oldthumper]

Just what I had in mind Jim.
Mind you,I would expect the rubber pipe to start seeping before it failed catastrophically.
Ray s4fhc