Gas Tank Protection

Gas Tank Protection

Author
Discussion

robinlarry

Original Poster:

113 posts

111 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
quotequote all
I recall seeing an article on the forum showing how someone had fabricated a protective cage around his fuel tank. I've searched for it without success. Anyone remember it?

Alan Whitaker

2,054 posts

181 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
quotequote all
Hi
To protect from what, tight under there, not sure there is room for one.

Alan

phillpot

17,105 posts

182 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
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I have the occasional mooch around this Forum but rings no bells with me?



mep12345

2,061 posts

200 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
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IIRC was the protection not made by the bloke who uses his v8 converted S1 for the off road trial rallies? If so his is also about 12" higher off the ground than standard so he had plenty of room

Alan Whitaker

2,054 posts

181 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
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Was it Duncan?

Alan

glenrobbo

35,077 posts

149 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
quotequote all
mep12345 said:
IIRC was the protection not made by the bloke who uses his v8 converted S1 for the off road trial rallies? If so his is also about 12" higher off the ground than standard so he had plenty of room
That was Duncan Pittaway.
You should be able to find the thread if you search his name, , or "Rough S Series wanted for MCC Trials".

I'm not sure what you want to protect the fuel tank from, if it's rear end crash damage, the rest of the tub would be pretty mangled before the tank gets impacted.

The real enemy is rust inside a steel tank, but this can only be properly treated by having it opened up and coated by a specialist process as greymrj has had done with his S1. ( I think it was Hartlepool Radiators )

I've not heard of any DIY treatments being ultimately successfull.

Alternatively, fit a stainless or alloy tank.

phillpot

17,105 posts

182 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
quotequote all
glenrobbo said:
That was Duncan Pittaway.
Indeed it was.

Met Duncan once and had a look at his car, can't be 100% sure but think he had a smaller fuel tank fitted inside the boot (along with a few concrete blocks!)




Getting back to original question, why would you want to double skin the fuel tank? Never heard of anyone puncturing or even damaging one? All that extra weight won't help you out brake or out corner anything wink

tvrgit

8,470 posts

251 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
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I suspect there may be a "cerebral transposition of concepts". (I.e. somebody's confused) between "extra crash protection" and the standard cradle that the tank sits on, which looks like crash protection, but isn't (especially if it's rusted so badly that it's only the tank that holds it up).

glenrobbo

35,077 posts

149 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
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RobinLarry,
Is it because you are in the States and need some kind of self sealing protection for the bullet holes? wink

RayTVR

1,040 posts

142 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
quotequote all
Glen, I think you missed the point. In the Us cars run on gas, and being a gas it's significantly more prone to leaking than our cars which run on petrol (which is a liquid) ☺️

RayTVR

1,040 posts

142 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
quotequote all
Glen, I think you missed the point. In the Us cars run on gas, and being a gas it's significantly more prone to leaking than our cars which run on petrol (which is a liquid) ☺️

robinlarry

Original Poster:

113 posts

111 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
quotequote all
No cigar.

I'm sure the TVR-S fuel tank placement is every bit as safe as the Ford Pinto (for those of us old enough to remember its propensity to burst into flames upon rear impact).

The article described bracing in the trunk that would protect the fuel tank. It could have been quite some time ago ...

glenrobbo

35,077 posts

149 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
quotequote all
I had a 2.0 litre Pinto in one of my old Capris.
It hardly ever burst into flames.

I thought that was more a Porsche GT3 thing.

Alan Whitaker

2,054 posts

181 months

Wednesday 4th March 2015
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Hi
Go to the scrap yard and get a air bag and sensor, put it in the boot, perfect

Alan

zombeh

693 posts

186 months

Wednesday 4th March 2015
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robinlarry said:
No cigar.

I'm sure the TVR-S fuel tank placement is every bit as safe as the Ford Pinto (for those of us old enough to remember its propensity to burst into flames upon rear impact).

The article described bracing in the trunk that would protect the fuel tank. It could have been quite some time ago ...
I would be reluctant to transform what is in effect a huge crumple zone into something a bit more solid. If you hit the back of an S really hard then you've got about 2 feet of plastic that's going to disintegrate and take all the energy with it before you get to the fuel tank. If that bit doesn't do that then you're transferring all that energy into the chassis and a fairly gentle impact could trash the whole car.

Oh and GRP is really really strong, I kinda accidentally reversed into my neighbour's wall a few weeks ago, tiny scratch to the TVR, massive hole in the puny little brick wall.

GadgeS3C

4,516 posts

163 months

Wednesday 4th March 2015
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I vaguely recalled something similar but thought it was for an M or Vixen - it was thread link

Scroll down a few pics.

I'm a bit torn on whether this is a good idea or not. Stiffer is not always better wink

robinlarry

Original Poster:

113 posts

111 months

Wednesday 4th March 2015
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I suppose it depends on application.

Maybe I could swap in a Cummins diesel.

http://fordpintoethics.webs.com/


Alan Whitaker

2,054 posts

181 months

Wednesday 4th March 2015
quotequote all
GadgeS3C said:
Stiffer is not always better wink
Don't get Glen going

Alan

GadgeS3C

4,516 posts

163 months

Wednesday 4th March 2015
quotequote all
Alan Whitaker said:
GadgeS3C said:
Stiffer is not always better wink
Don't get Glen going

Alan
Sorry Alan - I did this time realise what I'd written before I'd posted it, makes a change...

getmecoat