Removing Fuel Tanks

[OziSteve]

Anyone had the fuel tanks out of an Ultima? I suppose it's too much to hope they will come out without removing bodywork?

[Steve_D]

Careful measurement and cutting of the inner wheel arch GF at the end of the tank and dismantle of the rear suspension will allow them to be removed. Not done it myself but others have.

Steve

[Steve_D]

think I must have been talking to myself.
Shall I switch the lights out?

Steve

[OziSteve]

Sorry Steve,

I read your post and thought yep that's about right! I jetted off on a business trip and just didn't get around to replying. I have new fuel safe tanks on the way so will investigate either cutting access panels in the wheel well as suggested, or possibly from underneath.

[BogBeast]

Please document the process if you do decide to remove.. I am sure it would be of great interest/help to others....

[OziSteve]

Will do. Won't be for a month or so, as the cells won't ship till end of Jan.

[xrtim]

What fuel cells are you purchasing ? I have been thinking of purchasing some for a while (after I read Humbles thread)as I'm not at the body stage yet and sounds like the right time to do it. Do you need to keep some of the tank to hold the cells in place?
Best of luck with the conversion

[OziSteve]

I have ordered fuel safe cells complete with new aluminium cans and internal pumps etc. Same as these ones. Straight replacement. I don't know Humble but read his thread and he installed similar. These could even be his tanks for all I know...!

Edited by OziSteve on Tuesday 15th January 00:35

Edited by OziSteve on Tuesday 15th January 00:43

[OziSteve]

I'm now planning my strategy for removing the fuel tanks.

Can someone confirm that the only physical attachments are the bolts through the rear tank panel extension that bolt through the GRP into the wheel well, and the single rod support on the front of the tank? Does the rest of the support just come from the filler foam and sealers? how much of the tank weight is actually sitting on the floor of the side pod - any of it?

Rather than removing suspension and cutting out access from the wheel well, I am considering cutting an access hole in the floor under the tank and dropping the tanks out from underneath, then making some rigid removable panel covers that can bolt back up to cover the hole, restore the structural integrity of the side pod but allow future access.

I am assuming there is nothing else under the tank I can't see that would cause a problem?

[UltimaCH]

Have you checked the tabs at the bottom inner edge of each tank? These tabs sit on the lower chassis tube. Make sure they are rivet or rivnut free.

[OziSteve]

Ah thanks.

Couldn't see them till I lowered the hoist a bit.... that makes more sense!

[UltimaCH]

Want to send you a PM but I can't as you probably don't have enough posts written to activate that feature. Try sending me one please.

[xrtim]

A couple of pictures that may make it easier to visualise

[xrtim]

[xrtim]

Good luck

[OziSteve]

Thanks for the pics.

[Steve_D]

Those tabs are why I said the tank has to come out backwards.
Have you spoken to the Factory? They may have dimensions of where and how much you need to cut out of the GF.

Steve

[OziSteve]

Yes those tabs change things.

Moderator edit: no naming & shaming please

Edited by jeremyc on Friday 8th February 14:42

[xrtim]

I have always found the guys at Ultima very helpful, I live fairly close to the factory and there has never been a problem with popping in for parts,advise or measurements of the cars, even when I think I'm being a pain.
Regards Tim

Edited by jeremyc on Friday 8th February 14:42

[OziSteve]

Removing the tanks out the back looks straight forward enough, cosmetically I would prefer to go out the bottom, but I will wait till the new tanks arrive so I have something to measure.

Moderator edit: no naming & shaming please

Edited by jeremyc on Friday 8th February 14:43