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Fuel Tank - Flow & Return
Barkalarr - 24/10/13 at 12:25 PM

My Indy is running what looks like a plastic fuel tank.
The "flow" pickup from the tank has a rubber bung in the top of the tank.

Description
Description


Now I've gone Zetec, I need to put a "return" back into the tank.

I guess I have the following options.

1. Pop out the rubber bung and get a different bung with a flow and return.
2. Cut another bung for the return into the tank
3. Buy a new tank.

I don't want to block off the return at the engine end so I only have a single fuel line out of the tank.

The current fuel line "flow" out of the tank spins around when you twist it so it's not sealed in. This could explain why there is some fluid around the rubber bung. Also, the rubber bung may be old and brittle.

Which way shall I go?


Jon Ison - 24/10/13 at 01:06 PM

if it was me, (its not) I would shell out for a new tank (aluminium) with the inlets and outlets I required, the plastic tanks have a bit of a reputation and for the relatively inexpensive cost of a new tank I would go that way for both safety and peace of mind.


FuryRebuild - 24/10/13 at 02:33 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Jon Ison
if it was me, (its not) I would shell out for a new tank (aluminium) with the inlets and outlets I required, the plastic tanks have a bit of a reputation and for the relatively inexpensive cost of a new tank I would go that way for both safety and peace of mind.


+1. Also, fuel injected tanks may run positive pressure, so that rubber bung may not be man enough.

I'm not going ally, but carbon fibre for mine

Regards
Mark


owelly - 24/10/13 at 04:00 PM

If you're sticking with the plastic tank, pop out the rubber doofer, drill another hole next to it, fit a tank fitting for the return accessing the inner nut through the rubber bung hole, then reassemble. Personally, I'd fit a swirl pot and pump from a Golf GTi to remove any high pressures from the plastic tank and also combat any fuel surge issues.


scudderfish - 24/10/13 at 04:51 PM

quote:
Originally posted by FuryRebuild
quote:
Originally posted by Jon Ison
if it was me, (its not) I would shell out for a new tank (aluminium) with the inlets and outlets I required, the plastic tanks have a bit of a reputation and for the relatively inexpensive cost of a new tank I would go that way for both safety and peace of mind.


+1. Also, fuel injected tanks may run positive pressure, so that rubber bung may not be man enough.

I'm not going ally, but carbon fibre for mine

Regards
Mark


You'd have a CF windscreen if you could!


scudderfish - 24/10/13 at 04:53 PM

I put a piece of 8mm (I think) copper pipe through the fitting for the fuel sender on mine. However mine is a steel tank to start off with (MG Midget, in name and capacity)


prawnabie - 24/10/13 at 05:46 PM

If you decide to go for a new tank and he is still doing them, contact welderman on here, he is the best by far I have seen and his pricing is very reasonable.

Shaun


MikeRJ - 24/10/13 at 06:02 PM

quote:
Originally posted by FuryRebuild
quote:
Originally posted by Jon Ison
if it was me, (its not) I would shell out for a new tank (aluminium) with the inlets and outlets I required, the plastic tanks have a bit of a reputation and for the relatively inexpensive cost of a new tank I would go that way for both safety and peace of mind.


+1. Also, fuel injected tanks may run positive pressure, so that rubber bung may not be man enough.

I'm not going ally, but carbon fibre for mine

Regards
Mark


Isn't carbon a bit brittle for a fuel tank? One good whack and your fuel will be on the ground.


FuryRebuild - 24/10/13 at 06:25 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scudderfish
quote:
Originally posted by FuryRebuild
quote:
Originally posted by Jon Ison
if it was me, (its not) I would shell out for a new tank (aluminium) with the inlets and outlets I required, the plastic tanks have a bit of a reputation and for the relatively inexpensive cost of a new tank I would go that way for both safety and peace of mind.


+1. Also, fuel injected tanks may run positive pressure, so that rubber bung may not be man enough.

I'm not going ally, but carbon fibre for mine

Regards
Mark


You'd have a CF windscreen if you could!


Ha! yes. And if I can't have that, then transparent aluminium ...

M


FuryRebuild - 24/10/13 at 06:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
quote:
Originally posted by FuryRebuild
quote:
Originally posted by Jon Ison
if it was me, (its not) I would shell out for a new tank (aluminium) with the inlets and outlets I required, the plastic tanks have a bit of a reputation and for the relatively inexpensive cost of a new tank I would go that way for both safety and peace of mind.


+1. Also, fuel injected tanks may run positive pressure, so that rubber bung may not be man enough.

I'm not going ally, but carbon fibre for mine

Regards
Mark


Isn't carbon a bit brittle for a fuel tank? One good whack and your fuel will be on the ground.


Hi Mike

Good question, and I have remediation for that. Firstly, there will be a couple of layers of 200gsm e-glass in there with the carbon to allow for a little flex, the ground-facing part of the tank will be 2 extra layers of 350gsm aramid. it'll be internally strengthened with the slats needed to gate it.

Bomb-proof I reckon.


britishtrident - 24/10/13 at 09:54 PM

The pressure in a fuel injected tank is no different from a tank for a carb engine, it all depends on the venting arrangement.

Plastic tanks tended to fail not long after they were installed if the plastic tank has survived this long it should continue to be fine.