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HELP de-dion fuel tank!
Charlie_Zetec - 6/12/12 at 10:15 AM

Right, I'm trying to get the fuel tank sorted for my GTS W7DE and really struggling now.

Basically, all the tanks I've seen/looked at/come close to buying just don't fit because the panhard rod to the de-dion bar gets in the way. I've done a search on here and the general answer is "have one made up".

Now, I know the first response is going to be "get a customer tank made, speak to xxxx" - thank you, this is already the main option. I've got a few people in line for this, but they can't make anyting without specs or technical drawings. So what designs am I going to use?

Issue #1 - Anyone who knows me will know i'm no anorexic, and as such i don't really like the idea of the entire fuel tank sitting behind me on the drivers side. I'd like to try and equal the weight distribution nicely across the car.

Someone else out there must have a GTS or locost with a de-dion rear setup and have pics or diagrams of the fuel tank they have and how it's fitted???

I thought I remembered seeing a discussion on here quite a while back, but couldn't find it using the trusty search function....

You've yet to let me down people, so lets start the idea ball rolling!


big-vee-twin - 6/12/12 at 10:36 AM

Hi there, you are quite right it is very tight, mine is mounted slightly to the drivers side, but not to far over to worry about distribution.

The Panard rod is very close to the tank and I have slightly bent the rod to help clearance.

Personally I think at the chassis end of the Panard rod, the bracket could do with moving forward slightly which would sort out the clearance issue.

[img] Fuel Tank In
Fuel Tank In
[/img]


ceebmoj - 6/12/12 at 12:03 PM

there was recently a thread on hear called "Life-Taker is done" they had located there fuel tank in the passenger foot well at the front. If you are really concerned about weight distribution and space at the back it seams like a good idea.

Life-Taker is done link

[Edited on 6/12/12 by ceebmoj]


Macbeast - 6/12/12 at 12:08 PM

I made up a couple of rectangles from square section to raise the tank a few inches above the chassis rails. I'll try to find a pic.


Charlie_Zetec - 6/12/12 at 12:15 PM

Thanks - it's not so much the space at the back that worries me, i just don't want the entire fuel tank all on the RHS along with the driver!

I wonder how much space you'd lose in the footwell, and what effect this would have on passenger height....

Still, my preference would be to try and fit the tank in the back where i think it belongs. All alternative ideas though!


Macbeast - 6/12/12 at 12:37 PM

something like this :-
The RHS tank strap does not go through the filler though



Charlie_Zetec - 6/12/12 at 12:47 PM

Thanks for the piccy!

Unfortunately the previous owner (read as "John Wayne" has alredy put the bodywork on, so this means I have to drill the rivets off and remove the rear panel.

Times like this i wish I had bought a new kit myself.... :S


mistergrumpy - 6/12/12 at 12:51 PM

I modified the end of the panhard rod to take a spherical bearing then I could move the rod slightly towards the rear and missed the fuel tank.


Macbeast - 6/12/12 at 01:16 PM

I'm only guessing now but I think you could mount the standoffs working from umderneath.


mark chandler - 6/12/12 at 02:15 PM

Why not keep things simple, use stiff card and make a tank from this, then just fold flat and give to whoever will weld up what you want

Easier for both of you as they will look to make as many folds as possible to minimise welding so will make a nice template that can be laid over a sheet and marked out, which is what they may choose to do anyway from drawings.


masterblaster - 9/12/12 at 07:46 AM

I placed the tank on top of the diff with a special made frame. it also holds the diff in place on the backend (2 bolts)
I had the same issue. Problems with the connections of the fuellines and it is very close near the tank.


jwallbank - 9/12/12 at 11:04 AM

Hi,
My build has a GTS WIDE back end with a de-dion axle. I bought a OBP Locost tank which fits perfectly in the GTS back end with 1 slight mod. The fuel outlet on the tank is on the right hand side of the long forward facing side just above the panhard rod which was useless. I had this moved to the side by a friend with TIG capabilities. The only other minor irritation was that the fuel gauge sender that they supply with it is too long - the swing arm is longer then the distance between then hole and the centre baffle, so had to shorten it.

I'll put some pictures in my archive. Should know how to insert them in a post by now, tried but without sucess, so I hope someone will tell me how shortly!!

Cheers

John W