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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Custom fuel tank design

I think I've found a good source of affordable 5052 aluminium and I'm going to attempt to make a custom fuel tank. I seem to remember someone posting a measured drawing for a larger capacity tank. Maybe it was Turbo Bob?
If anyone has such a drawing and would be willing to share, I would certainly be grateful.
Thanks.
Trevor Jessie

Sorry to be negative, but why do you want a bigger fuel tank? 200 miles on one tank of fuel is good enough isn't it?
C L Carter

It depends... I can do around 260 miles buzzing around locally in BRB (eg. I can drive to work and back... 126 miles each way ...but only just...!) ... but if I really get the hammer down, the tank can last for as little as 150 miles... so an extra couple of gallons is welcome.

A good example is late last summer, I was coming back from work around 8.30pm and chanced on a group if bikers out for high-speed fun. By the time I'd done around 25 miles in the middle of the pack, I had no chance of geting home on the original tank, and had to go looking for a fill-up...

So for me, 2 extra gals would be welcome.

A
Anthony Cutler

Larger capacity is sort of a "might as well" issue. I'm planning on installing a fuel injection system, and want to avoid using a swirl pot. I've dealt with fuel starvation on another car that was converted to fuel injection. I want to try and avoid the same issues.
Trevor Jessie

200 miles, less than 150 when having fun

one of the things I was hoping for when I got my Spridget was a 7 UK gallon tank but it only holds 5 and three quarters and that's lapping at the fuel cap

SWMBO checks the spare gallons is in the boot every time she gets in the car just because I've run out a couple of times and I oly every gt her to push the car on the flat, I've spoilt her
Nigel Atkins

I guess it makes more difference to guys in the states. But 250 miles a day is rare for the UK, and there are petrol stations everywhere so its not really a problem.

Always carry a gallon in the boot though (just like Nigey).

Nigel, there is a fun game you can play with your better half re this. When the needle gets down to the zero mark - you drive more gingerly and if you get home, then the wife can fill the car up on the next journey and you've won. If you don't get home. You've lost.
C L Carter

We have places out West with signs that say things like "Last fuel for 157 miles", and that is not in the middle of the night or holidays. I have actually been in areas in the East recently where it was that far or more in the middle of the night. There likely is fuel someplace off the road, if you could find it, but I have run out of fuel looking for such - annoying to spend the night sleeping in a closed gas station, waiting for Joe to open the door. I consider less than 300mi/tank unacceptable, 400 is better, and I'd like 5. And I am known to drive 1000 miles in a day, with only fuel & pee stops.

FRM
FR Millmore

I have recently had an alloy fuel tank made as I wanted a bigger tank to allow for a greater range especially when touring in Europe where fuel stations are more spread out. I've stopped carrying a gallon in the boot. More room for my wife's luggage :)
I haven't got any detailed drawings as I designed mine using a cardboard box and making a template.
It carries 42 litres and has baffles. I have a seperate swirlpot so did not have one built in. With my 1.8 k series engine I have a range of 400 miles (if driven sensibly!)

Neil T

I usually do much more than 150 or 250 miles a day or when going to a tour or on the tour

as for guage reading after 20 years of classics the needle is subject to scrutinee as it approaches half way, this and the previous car both run out at a quater showing originally

it wouldn't be worth my the hassle if the car ran out of petrol with the boss on board

however, the spare can isn't always in the boot or has any petrol in it, I rely on the fact she thinks I wouldn't be that stupid

and only yesterday I reminded her how when we were very young my mate and I pretended the car had run out of petrol and got the then girls to push the car and I got my mate to jump in as I bump started it and drove a bit up the road - their faces and gulability

Vanden Plas 1100 single carb, 1979 - they'd be off with the very, very, nice AA man now
Nigel Atkins

We've just done 900 miles in the weekend over a lot of back country roads miles from anywhere. Great weekend, but tank size was certainly a problem and caused us to bale a couple of times to the nearest civilisation for a top-up!
Paul Walbran

This thread was discussed on 24/07/2012

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