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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - fuel tank

At last i got around to making note of my fuel tank capacity, ive always suspected it was smaller than it should be...just 18litres, thats less than 4 imp gallons.

Also it looks nothing like the tanks in the moss catalogue and has evidence of 'hammer assisted adjustments' to make it clear the rear suspension....

Compounded by a very inaccurate fuel gauge it means ive run out often.....obviously i carry a full can in the back at all times, but hate the danger and humiliation of standing at the side of the road with such a 'stand out in the crowd' type car and having to pour petrol in.

There is a slightly more serious side, my new weekly commute is 250km, which is exactly the range of the tank when full. I plan to do the trip at night as the traffic is much less and its much cooler, however there are only two petrol stations along the route of motorway, and they shut at midnight by Thai law (to try and reduce drink driving apparently ...). dont fancy standing at the side of the motorway in the dark ..

some pictures attached, wondering just out of interest if anyone recognises the tank. also wondering if anyone has fitted extender tanks (if such things exist) that maybe could go in the back, or underneath in front of the axle...

bigger tank would be the way to go, but the reason i think the tank is small is that the PO installed a huge exhaust, and i quite like the noise it makes...



Andy Phillips (frankenfrog)

Ebay is your friend...they also sell new tanks that are bigger then stock and very reasonably priced ... I got one, and good quality

As to the exhaust... a good muffler shop can get you sorted

Beyound that, its expermention on your part

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Lady in the US had that very same problem. She had bought a forfeited VW Jetta from a Sheriff's auction but the fuel tank didn't hold as much fuel as it should so she took it to her garage to be checked out. Guess what? There was $250,000.00 US cash in a fuel proof wrapping inside the tank!!!!

The sheriff's office had seized it from a drug dealer who was in jail and they couldn't find the cash. They tried to get it back via the courts but the courts said she bought the car "as is" from the police therefore she owned the car and the cash!

Ok, maybe there isn't a ton of cash in the tank but one can dream.......
C Ravenwood

my luck it wouldnt be $$ 250 thousand in cash, but crack cocain worth $$ 250 thousand

I cant belive the machinic didnt offer to just replace the gas tank and dispose of the tank and its contents out back in his dumpster

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

sadly no money found, just some rust......and i have an abundance of that commodity....

I have seen people fabricate a battery box set into the floor behind the passenger seat so that the box sits in front of the axle... i'm thinking that would be a good place for a small 'reserve tank' maybe hold a gallon or so...
Andy Phillips (frankenfrog)

I not a fan of that idea....a battry is one thing in an upside down sliding crash, a loose gallon of fuel in the same situation is a completely differant animal

Id say fuel cell would be a better idea, ither as a tank replacement or a 2nd tank in the boot and have it vented outside the car

Prop

Prop and the Blackhole Midget

This thread was discussed between 17/03/2014 and 18/03/2014

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