Berlinetta fuel tank

[kronos1664]

Hi I have a cortina based berlinetta, does anyone know where i could source a replacement fuel tank. i believe these were originally from a mk2 escort van. thanks for any help, Peter

[jon_wilkinson]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

Welcome to the forum, Peter.

Escort van tanks are the proverbial hens teeth. I believe some Roadster owners have used Spridget tanks, which have the added benefit of using a Smiths sender so better compatibility with matching fuel gauges. Failing that I think the usual answer is to have one made up in alloy. Hopefully, Berlinetta owners will chime in with more advice specific to your car.

[scott h]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

I got an alloy tank made by OBP for my Berlinetta. I started a thread on fuel tanks but it never took off, if you look in general car chat page 14 it's there. There is a debate about biofuel and it's affect on alloy and some say stainless is a better bet.

[b_caswell]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

eBay item number:
124370587756

Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.

[kronos1664]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

shame its an over 200mile round trip or I'd be tempted

[kronos1664]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

thanks i ll take a look at thread

[Dane_Rescueman]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

Hi,
Very short notice but I have seen this on ebay.
Item 124399221425 In Nottingham.
I can't get there at the moment as it looks a good buy.
Shame to see it disappear as there is just two hours left on the offer.

[danny_nelson]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

I know of a good tank located West Midlands

[Dane_Rescueman]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

My previously mentioned EBAY tank has been re-listed at 124411961860
It is listed for the next 4 days.

[kronos1664]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

has anyone got any tips for using a spridget tank? can a tank be removed/ replaced from under the car or does the body need removing? thanks

[danny_nelson]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

If the Ford Escort estate/ van mk 2 petrol tank was fitted as the build manual described then it was fitted from under the car and after removal of fixing nuts and bolts can be dropped and removed from underneath. This tank has a flange all the way around it and this is bolted to the two cross angles. I have no knowledge of fitting the tank you mention. However you know the saying, if it fits the hole!! You may have to consider a different mounting method, perhaps hang it in on metal/ stainless straps.

[jon_wilkinson]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

There are photos of a Spridget tank fitted in a Roadster in this thread: https://www.marlinownersclub.com/for...this-fuel-tank

[kronos1664]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

Hi Scott, thanks for the reply. have you got any tips for ordering and specing a tank seeing as you ve been there and done it? how long has yours been fitted, have you had any problems. what fuel sender did you use. i have the ford sender and would like keep the same gauges so wondered if the tank manufacturer would replicate the ford fitment. many thanks for any advice peter

[scott h]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

Hi Scott, thanks for the reply. have you got any tips for ordering and specing a tank seeing as you ve been there and done it? how long has yours been fitted, have you had any problems. what fuel sender did you use. i have the ford sender and would like keep the same gauges so wondered if the tank manufacturer would replicate the ford fitment. many thanks for any advice peter

Hi Peter, as I mentioned in a previous post I had a tank made by OBP, and I was pleased with their prompt service and the finished tank. I also previously mentioned the debate about Biofuel and it's affect on aluminium, which I personally think is a small risk, but I just checked the OBP website and I see that they also work with stainless steel, so if you are worried then perhaps they could make a tank from that material.

I also mentioned that I started a thread on fuel tanks but there is a bit more detail in my build diary "Berlinetta build and restoration" which can be found in the build diary section of this forum, the fuel tank stuff starts on page ten of said diary.

Things to consider when designing a tank:
How will it be mounted? Consider ease of removal in the future.

Position of filler, breather, fuel outlet and their diameter. Should they be push on or tapped with a thread - probably push on for road use? Your car is probably a carburettor rather than fuel injection, but I would suggest having a fuel return fitted to make future fitting of an injection engine easier, you can blank it off for use with your engine.

As for the fuel sender, I would specify a hole of an appropriate diameter that you can drill mounting holes in to mount your sender. Your sender probably has a lock ring fitment, so what about cutting that section (taking appropriate fire risk precautions) from your old tank and bolting it to the new tank? Think about access to the sender in the future. Again my build diary shows how I mounted my sender.

Another thing to consider is do you want a sump in the tank at the fuel outlet to prevent starvation when the fuel level is low. I didn't bother, instead I have a swirl pot which supplies the injection pump to deal with momentary interruption of the supply.

Hope that helps.
P.S. I note that the OBP website is not as comprehensive as I remember it to be, perhaps due to corona virus working practices?

[kronos1664]

Re: Berlinetta fuel tank

many thanks scott most helpful