Replacing Fuel tank, Pump and Filter(s)
Discussion
The car is ’96 Chimaera 400 and I’m about to replace my fuel tank for one without mobile baffles that clank about when cornering.
The replacement is a NOS TVR alloy one, so hopefully it should be a relatively straightforward swap - notwithstanding the TVR factor…
While I’m at it and it’s up on the ramp, I shall also be replacing the fuel pump, high pressure side filter, and the low pressure pipes, all of which I suspect are twenty years old and on borrowed time - the forward high pressure fuel line was replaced last year. I'm also going to replace the sender and try to calibrate it (fancy word for bending the wire arm) to get reliable full to empty readings.
So apart from the obvious need to disconnect the battery - and then drain the tank, is there anything else I should be aware of?
I was also thinking of fitting an external, see-through, in-line fuel filter after the tank to protect the pump so that it can be easily checked/replaced but not sure what to use. Most of the ones I’ve seen, seem to be designed for gravity fed carbs on bikes and may not be able to handle either the flow or negative pressure on the tank side of the pump.
Has anyone else done this and if so can you recommend a suitable filter?
The replacement is a NOS TVR alloy one, so hopefully it should be a relatively straightforward swap - notwithstanding the TVR factor…
While I’m at it and it’s up on the ramp, I shall also be replacing the fuel pump, high pressure side filter, and the low pressure pipes, all of which I suspect are twenty years old and on borrowed time - the forward high pressure fuel line was replaced last year. I'm also going to replace the sender and try to calibrate it (fancy word for bending the wire arm) to get reliable full to empty readings.
So apart from the obvious need to disconnect the battery - and then drain the tank, is there anything else I should be aware of?
I was also thinking of fitting an external, see-through, in-line fuel filter after the tank to protect the pump so that it can be easily checked/replaced but not sure what to use. Most of the ones I’ve seen, seem to be designed for gravity fed carbs on bikes and may not be able to handle either the flow or negative pressure on the tank side of the pump.
Has anyone else done this and if so can you recommend a suitable filter?
You may have issues with this plan.
Our fuel pumps pump fine but don't like to suck. For that reason they have a large inlet diameter and are mounted at or below the bottom of the fuel tank.
Any filter you fit will need to be quite large and free flowing or it will cause cavitation at the inlet to the pump.
The size of the filter will be the next problem as the pump is only inches from the tank and tangled up in the lower suspension mounts.
Steve
Our fuel pumps pump fine but don't like to suck. For that reason they have a large inlet diameter and are mounted at or below the bottom of the fuel tank.
Any filter you fit will need to be quite large and free flowing or it will cause cavitation at the inlet to the pump.
The size of the filter will be the next problem as the pump is only inches from the tank and tangled up in the lower suspension mounts.
Steve
Thanks Steve - I think you’re right
It seemed like a good idea - in theory - but it’s looking as though it could cause more problems than the one I set out to solve - which to be honest hasn’t actually arisen.
I think I could be guilty of over-engineering with this one…
Hoofa
I envy you - Sounds like a lovely bit of kit - Unfortunately, I’m now committed to the standard equipment route as I’ve already bought the new TVR tank, Bosch pump and FRAM filter. However, for anyone else considering this, it would be interesting to compare the costs. My tank, pump and filter from well known TVR parts suppliers have cost me around £500 incl. VAT.
It seemed like a good idea - in theory - but it’s looking as though it could cause more problems than the one I set out to solve - which to be honest hasn’t actually arisen.
I think I could be guilty of over-engineering with this one…
Hoofa
I envy you - Sounds like a lovely bit of kit - Unfortunately, I’m now committed to the standard equipment route as I’ve already bought the new TVR tank, Bosch pump and FRAM filter. However, for anyone else considering this, it would be interesting to compare the costs. My tank, pump and filter from well known TVR parts suppliers have cost me around £500 incl. VAT.
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