Replacing a petrol tank

[john12]

I have just removed my Roadster petrol tank which was fixed to the underside of the frame, so when the bolts are removed it can be lowered to the ground. All the stress in holding the tank in suspension is taken by half a dozen bolts on a very thin flange, not a good design. On fitting the new tank i found it could be lowered from the top and the flange on the tank is then supported all round, surely this is a better way and as it was designed to be fitted in the Escort van. Can anyone see any problems if the tank is fitted from the top ?

[Mike]

Re: Replacing a petrol tank

It will be more difficult to remove once the car is fully assembled?

[trevor_ford]

Re: Replacing a petrol tank

That's the way I put the old one in and I've just done the same with the replacement.

[CosworthCabrioLee]

Re: Replacing a petrol tank

Hi John the way you describe is how Paul Moorhouse intended the tank to go in, However it makes it very hard to get the tank out when the body is fitted. How about still hanging it underneath and making some straps to help carry the load like all modern day cars now....

[listerjp2]

Re: Replacing a petrol tank

All, I helped John take the tank out and because of the way the body curves under the rear support bar we couldn't get to the nuts to undo the tank. Hence we had to take the rear completely off to extract it. I think John is asking the question because if we have to take the rear body off to change the tank in the first place does it really matter whether it is fitted on the top or not. All he really wanted to know is there a good reason for fitting it from underneath?

[macdonald.dm]

Re: Replacing a petrol tank

How many inches higher up will the tank be if fitted above the frame? Will this cause any problems?

If slung underneath, will this mean that the boot floor can be fitted easily on top of the frame? Ie: if the tank is fitted above, will the floor need to be lifted above it?

These are the only reasons I can think of.

[CosworthCabrioLee]

Re: Replacing a petrol tank

My take has been fitted from underneath the car and makes it vey easy to get the tank out. There is no real space saving fitting it top or bottom

[john12]

Re: Replacing a petrol tank

Many thanks for everyones response, what this has highlighted is that there are differences in the rear end body mouldings because as Adrian has already pointed out it was not possible to remove the tank without removing the body as the bolts were completely obscured.If I fit it on the top of the frame it raises the tank 3mm which I can't see it causing any problem.