Fuel tank thingy

[Aginley]

This is under my fuel tank n/s looks like an overflow of sorts.
Is it meant to look like that? If not is it replaceable?
Thanks

[360gts]

Aah, just what I posted about on Andrew's post regarding when the drain started...see his post.
No, not supposed to look like that ...this is what happens when the owner tries to drain the tank prior to revoval.
They are supposed to have a long pipe attached that goes down through a 1" hole in the floor.
They are next to impossible to remove...most just break the pipe off to get the tank out.
I just repaired this one on the 67 project

[Aginley]

Am I right in thinking it will only drain when unscrewed? Nothing to do with the hole in the end. Mine seams stuck fast. Don’t want to twist or damage the tank to get it out.

[mk1]

As far as I am concerned, those drain tubes are a total waste of time. The best thing to do is to glue the bleed screw in & cut it off flush.

Ok, Not a solution for the 10/10 conservator, but a great solution if you ever want to remove the tank again.

[Peter Laidler]

Totally agree with Mk1 above. Total waste of space and rations! But surely, if a concourse queen really wants to retain such a gizmo on his car, then it'd be a simple task to block the tank hole up and leave a fake or dummy length of pipe outside. I mean....., who'd notice or see the difference

[GraemeC]

I've never come across one of these so this is a genuine question - Why do they make it so difficult to remove the tank?
Do you not drain it using the valve then once empty remove the bleed screw and pipe? At which point there is not obstruction over and above cutting it off flush.

[mk1]

Hi Graeme,

In theory, the answer to your question is simply YES.

BUT in every example of these that I have come across, the bleed nipple is rusted hard into the bottom of the tank & access to it is so limited it is "almost" impossible to remove by the "standard" route.

In this case the only option in removing the tank is smashing the pipe off & ragging at the nipple until you can extricate the tank.

[Andrew1967]

I guess if the drain nipple isn't siezed, it could be useful in the future to get rid of the crap E10 fuel in the winter lay up, that we will be forced to use soon.

[winabbey]

Provided it's not rusted in place a tube spanner works well to undo the drain tube and drain fuel, then remove it completely for tank removal.

New Old Stock of the tube are available here in Oz.

AYA2149_NOS.jpg

[AndyPen]

Provided it's not rusted in place a tube spanner works well to undo the drain tube and drain fuel, then remove it completely for tank removal.

New Old Stock of the tube are available here in Oz.

AYA2149_NOS.jpg

I don't suppose you fancy sending a few over for local distribution? Happy to sort this end and pay up front if needs be? I'd like 3 myself anyway if possible as all my cars should have this.

[Andrew1967]

PM sent Andy

[winabbey]

I don't suppose you fancy sending a few over for local distribution? Happy to sort this end and pay up front if needs be? I'd like 3 myself anyway if possible as all my cars should have this.

Happy to help. PM sent.

[GraemeC]

BUT in every example of these that I have come across, the bleed nipple is rusted hard into the bottom of the tank & access to it is so limited it is "almost" impossible to remove by the "standard" route.

In this case the only option in removing the tank is smashing the pipe off & ragging at the nipple until you can extricate the tank.

Ah - makes perfect sense when you explain it like that!

[AndyPen]

I don't suppose you fancy sending a few over for local distribution? Happy to sort this end and pay up front if needs be? I'd like 3 myself anyway if possible as all my cars should have this.

Happy to help. PM sent.

Thanks for the pms folks, we are making plans

[Beatie]

Don’t suppose anyone knows but was the tube arrangement std to all mk1’s which had the drain facility?
Reason I ask is I have two 64 tanks both have a rusted in flat slotted screwdriver driven plug rusted into the brass bung.
Any thoughts anyone ?

[AndyPen]

Don’t suppose anyone knows but was the tube arrangement std to all mk1’s which had the drain facility?
Reason I ask is I have two 64 tanks both have a rusted in flat slotted screwdriver driven plug rusted into the brass bung.
Any thoughts anyone ?

One of my tanks has this too I now realise, and another very rusty one I never got to throw away appears to have a broken version.

[Beatie]

Don’t suppose anyone knows the thread size ?
It looks like 3/8 ??

[1071bob]

Don’t suppose anyone knows the thread size ?
It looks like 3/8 ??

Yes, it's 3/8" UNF. Looking at my tank you have to wonder how long it would take to drain the fuel through an 1/8" diameter hole! Would be quicker to take the feed pipe off the carb and use the electric pump to drain it.

[Peter Laidler]

I have been thinking exactly the same ever since the thread started 1071Bob! Looks like one of these '.....it was a good idea at the time' jobbies. Until a bit of grot from the bottom of the tank drops down into the drain and......... Surely, this is one of those cases where it's more realistic to fake a look-a-like thinggy up. And if the tank does need emptying - as both mine did this Summer - just siphon (or is it syphon?) them with a bit of tube like everyone else does, syphoning the clag from the bottom of the tank as you go.

[Beatie]

Cheers Bob
I’ve got to drill at least one of mine out as the steel plug has corroded so much , heated 4 times over the weekend and have ended up destroying what was left of the screwdriver slot .
Will try easy out next before drilling to core dia .
I do wonder whether the screwdriver slotted plug was a tech bulletin issued to dealers in the day as the pipe arrangement was fraught with many disasters?