Fuel tank opinion

[Arbington]

Hi all

My fuel tank has a large square patch on it. It looks like it was done a long time ago and though the welding isn't to what I'd like to see nowadays it does look strong and sealed.

Could anyone give an opinion of why it's there? The tank doesn't look like it's ever been rotten. is it a standard mod or something?

[osgii]

Don't you have any cylindrical "reservoir " screwed under the tank ?

[Dave K]

Don't you have any cylindrical "reservoir " screwed under the tank ?

It looks like there is another patch in the top photo at the top right hand of the tank where the sump has been removed.
You may have a problem fitting a fuel pump.

Dave

[PeterCrespin]

Don't you have any cylindrical "reservoir " screwed under the tank ?

The tank cannot be removed without first removing the sump cylinder.

Looks like classic repairs due to rust from water ingress collecting in the foam doughnut around the sump and the felt pad under the tank. If the tank is now sound I'd refinish inside and out and reuse it.

Pete

[ralphr1780]

Peter, there will clearly be an issue in fuel pick-up.
The pick-up tube+filter assembly is certainly shortened.
Plus when running at low fill levels there will be problems with air pick-up at each turn.
And of course the deposits will be flowing constantly around...
imho a new tank is a must.

[Moeregaard]

This does look like a rust repair, so I'd scrap it and fit a new one before you step into the garage one morning and into a puddle of petrol. I agree that the welding looks a little suspect and, as Ralph suggested, you'll likely have fuel-starvation issues when the level is low.

The cost of a new tank relative to the value of an E-Type (and the garage in which it's parked) is very low. When that thing decides to start leaking, Lady Luck will make sure that it happens when the tank is full and the car is parked indoors.

[Arbington]

So there used to be a sump and filter in there?

Then the pick up pipe picks up filtered fuel?

I'll sleep on it... the tank does look like it's baffled. I'm replacing the fuel lines, I might fit an in line filter.

[Dave K]

So there used to be a sump and filter in there?

Then the pick up pipe picks up filtered fuel?

I'll sleep on it... the tank does look like it's baffled. I'm replacing the fuel lines, I might fit an in line filter.

Not in the large square that has been welded up, the sump would have sat in the top right hand corner and that looks like it's been welded up as well.
The problem will when you reach a low fuel situation and go round a corner, the fuel will slosh to one side and starve the fuel pump.

The filter is on the end of the fuel pump which fits into the sump.

Dave

[Moeregaard]

So there used to be a sump and filter in there?

Then the pick up pipe picks up filtered fuel?

I'll sleep on it... the tank does look like it's baffled. I'm replacing the fuel lines, I might fit an in line filter.

The E-Type tank is baffled, and the sump extends through the boot floor. It's visible from behind the car. The pickup has a finger strainer installed, but the disadvantage to this arrangement is that water and other crap settle into the sump. When the strainer becomes plugged, the only remedy is to remove the pickup plate and fish out the aforementioned debris and clean the strainer. On both of my E-Types, I did away with the strainer and installed an inline filter ahead of the pump.

[christopher storey]

Mark : that's not the only way to do it . The easy way to deal with the sump filter becoming fouled is to remove the sump which is not a big job provided you have a new gasket to hand . It is tight to unscrew but usually shifts with a Stillson wrench

[PeterCrespin]

Peter, there will clearly be an issue in fuel pick-up.
The pick-up tube+filter assembly is certainly shortened.
Plus when running at low fill levels there will be problems with air pick-up at each turn.
And of course the deposits will be flowing constantly around...
imho a new tank is a must.

Sorry, you're right. I only saw the tiny picture on my iPhone and thought the sump had just been unscrewed and there was kitchen paper stuffed in the hole or something. I see now it has been patched over completely. With a tank kept more than half full I suppose there'd be no issue but I agree it's new tank time.

Pete

[Moeregaard]

Mark : that's not the only way to do it . The easy way to deal with the sump filter becoming fouled is to remove the sump which is not a big job provided you have a new gasket to hand . It is tight to unscrew but usually shifts with a Stillson wrench

Agreed, Christopher; I was thinking of a plugged strainer while on a road trip with a 1/2-full tank. An inline filter is a blessing in such situations!

[Mark Gordon]

I know that it's a bit of a hassle, but periodic cleaning of the sump should be part of the routine maintenance. If you do it regularly, you won't have to worry about a clogged pickup screen and in fact, you will find very little debris or sediment in the sump. I try to do it once every year in the spring. I just let the tank run down until it's nearly empty, then unscrew the drain plug (mine is one of the sumps that has a drain plug in the bottom. Very helpful) and drain the remaining fuel. Unscrewing the sump and cleaning the screen is simple enough. Start to finish the job only takes about 15 minutes. Part of the love and care of a piece of artwork.

[Arbington]

New tank it is then.

I'll add it on the list. Car should be painted in the next 3 weeks hopefully.

[Dave K]

I know that it's a bit of a hassle, but periodic cleaning of the sump should be part of the routine maintenance. If you do it regularly, you won't have to worry about a clogged pickup screen and in fact, you will find very little debris or sediment in the sump. I try to do it once every year in the spring. I just let the tank run down until it's nearly empty, then unscrew the drain plug (mine is one of the sumps that has a drain plug in the bottom. Very helpful) and drain the remaining fuel. Unscrewing the sump and cleaning the screen is simple enough. Start to finish the job only takes about 15 minutes. Part of the love and care of a piece of artwork.

I tried to take mine off last year and ended up with 24" Stilsons on it and it wouldn't budge so I removed the pump and used a hand vacuum pump which cleaned it out in about 10 seconds.
I hadn't touched mine for about 6 years and was amazed at the crud that was in there.

Dave

[Mark Gordon]

"I hadn't touched mine for about 6 years and was amazed at the crud that was in there. "

Therefore, clean it out annually. :)