Vixen Fuel Tank
Discussion
Well, just dug my fuel tank out of the shed for the first time since it arrived in the back of a Luton with the rest of the car, to find it has a hole in it. Big surprise! I' ve pretty much had to replace most of the rest of the car, so why not the tank too!
Anyone got a good second hand one, or otherwise a clue as to how much an alloy reproduction might be?
Grr
Anyone got a good second hand one, or otherwise a clue as to how much an alloy reproduction might be?
Grr
Probably Bernard, Just one of those days. Been laid up since 1984 so no petrol fume in it!
I suspect that if it has a pin hole in one pace, itll probably have another, just waiting till I put petrol in it, to show itself!!
By the way, How are you settling in in your new place? Have you had a chance to tinker with the M recently?
I suspect that if it has a pin hole in one pace, itll probably have another, just waiting till I put petrol in it, to show itself!!
By the way, How are you settling in in your new place? Have you had a chance to tinker with the M recently?
Kind of what I thought. Ive got a guy building me an alloy repro header tank. I was thinking of getting him to do me a repro fuel tank in alloy later.
Begining to suffer from "Cheque book Fatigue" to be honest.
But I am sure that will change as soon as I get the engine fitted and fire her up.
Begining to suffer from "Cheque book Fatigue" to be honest.
But I am sure that will change as soon as I get the engine fitted and fire her up.

With all the new items that you have added it would be well worth a new tank I think alloy for a vixen to keep weight as low as possible not sure who does alloy ones I have a stainless one in the 3000s that Adrian Made but the Vixen is Alloy and not sure but I think David Gerald as Alan got most things from there if not I can check the invoices.
Andrew
Andrew
Astacus said:
Probably Bernard, Just one of those days. Been laid up since 1984 so no petrol fume in it!
I suspect that if it has a pin hole in one pace, itll probably have another, just waiting till I put petrol in it, to show itself!!
By the way, How are you settling in in your new place? Have you had a chance to tinker with the M recently?
Re: fumes I suspect that if it has a pin hole in one pace, itll probably have another, just waiting till I put petrol in it, to show itself!!
By the way, How are you settling in in your new place? Have you had a chance to tinker with the M recently?
-Be careful. I've heard that there is much remaining, in old tanks, to vaporize and explode. The trick is to fill it with water, and leave a bubble, pointed up, where the hole is.
Re: pin holes
-There are tank coating/sealing compounds that to a wonderful job. "RedKote" has been extraordinarily durable, for me, and should seal "pin" holes.
Re: Me working on my toy...
...yes, I am. :~))))))))
Best,
B.
Filling with water and emptying does not purge a fuel tank of petrol vapour
You wash a fuel tank out to clean liquid petrol and the best DIY way to then purge explosive vapours is to fix a hose around a car exhaust and run the engine so that it exhausts into the fuel tank. The dense exhaust fumes push any other vapours out of the tank.
after you weld you then wash out again and leave to air dry for a couple of days.
N.
You wash a fuel tank out to clean liquid petrol and the best DIY way to then purge explosive vapours is to fix a hose around a car exhaust and run the engine so that it exhausts into the fuel tank. The dense exhaust fumes push any other vapours out of the tank.
after you weld you then wash out again and leave to air dry for a couple of days.
N.
heightswitch said:
Filling with water and emptying does not purge a fuel tank of petrol vapour
I think the idea is that you leave it full of water while you weld - then there's only the small volume of air left at the top.Not sure if you can actually weld with the tank full of water though!!
heightswitch said:
Filling with water and emptying does not purge a fuel tank of petrol vapour
You wash a fuel tank out to clean liquid petrol and the best DIY way to then purge explosive vapours is to fix a hose around a car exhaust and run the engine so that it exhausts into the fuel tank. The dense exhaust fumes push any other vapours out of the tank.
after you weld you then wash out again and leave to air dry for a couple of days.
N.
Clever approach Neil,You wash a fuel tank out to clean liquid petrol and the best DIY way to then purge explosive vapours is to fix a hose around a car exhaust and run the engine so that it exhausts into the fuel tank. The dense exhaust fumes push any other vapours out of the tank.
after you weld you then wash out again and leave to air dry for a couple of days.
N.
If I do get it fixed, I would probably get it done professionally though.
Oddly the serious rust appears to have been where it looks like there were straps around the tank (no longer present of course). I suppose these had a felt liner or some such, which absorbed water.
had this tank made I was very pleased with it .
its foam filled with vdo sended
excellent service and will make any shape or size you want.
www.conceptracing.co.uk
jerseyvixen said:
had this tank made I was very pleased with it. its foam filled with vdo sended excellent service and will make any shape or size you want.
www.conceptracing.co.uk
Very nice. Interesting idea to get it foam filled. Does this offer better protection in the event of a rear collision? www.conceptracing.co.uk
I take it yours was also rusted through?
I notice they also do complete radiator rebuilds in ally to match the original which might be interesting too
jerseyvixen said:
had this tank made I was very pleased with it .
its foam filled with vdo sended
excellent service and will make any shape or size you want.
www.conceptracing.co.uk
ATE399J said:
I think the idea is that you leave it full of water while you weld - then there's only the small volume of air left at the top.
Not sure if you can actually weld with the tank full of water though!!
Phil, Not sure if you can actually weld with the tank full of water though!!
That's right; the water stays in the tank, It's a old-timer's way, and I learned it during my "aprenticeship." I saw it done, to success (and tested) with solder, on galvanized tanks, though I don't imagine MIG or TIG being too difficult. Gas may create too much heat, and therefore, steam, to allow the steel to heat sufficiently.
Best,
B.
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