Petrol Tank Again

[fuelpump]

Has anybody had a go at enlarging their existing tank ?
Any do's or don'ts ?

[Stig]

Has anybody had a go at enlarging their existing tank ?
Any do's or don'ts ?

You mean apart from "don't go anywhere near a petrol tank with either a grinder or a welder"?

Seriously, how are you going to be 100% sure that you've got all the petrol vapour out of the old tank before you start at it with a source of ignition? Even if you survive that bit, your welding would have to be perfect with no pin-holes anywhere.

[ASL642]

Don't - too dangerous!

[fuelpump]

Thought I would blast all vapours out by hooking up the compressor to the drain plug outlet. Alternatively have a local Radiator/Petrol tank shop do it. Understand the steel is different and has to be brazed.

[bmcecosse]

Really - don't do it! Why do you want to carry more fuel anyway?
I have welded up fuel tanks in the past .... hot water rinse + exposure to the heat of the sun - and then finally filled up with water and then ignited the vapour at the neck of the tank. Slight 'pop' then no more problems. It's just steel - it can be welded with a gas torch - unless hopelessly rusted ?

[fuelpump]

Thanks to all ... I have taken all of the comments seriously. Don't want to blow up myself or the body shop ! I like the water idea.

[taupe]

Another way to protect after a thorough flush out is to connect CO2 from a mig bottle to the outlet and leave it flowing through whilst welding.

[chickenjohn]

Why would you want to enlarge your tank when there are bigger fuel tanks available for the Minor anyway???

Besides which, the standard tank on a long run - 6 gallons or so at 45mpg gives you a range well in excess of 250 miles and I would not want to drive any car on a long journey for more than 250miles without a break! When the car needs a rest and refuelling, then so do you!

[fuelpump]

In response to chickenjohn: Morris Center Bghm cannot supply the tanks advertised and I'm told others do not have drain plugs or baffles. Also won't do 250 miles w/ weber on 1275cc engine.

[bmcecosse]

45 mpg ?? Aye right.......

[faversham999]

I only get 26 to30 the gallon on my 948cc mind you you have hold it in low gears to get to 70 MPH

[MColes]

Going to the National last year, averaging 65-70mph I was getting 50mpg with a 1098

I get about 35mpg doing around town driving

[SGTBILKO]

I drove through the night from Gisors (Normandy) to Saumur on the Loire, only stopping briefly in Paris to pick up my fiancée. Motorways were avoided and no other stops were made, all that on a full tank of petrol . On arrival the tank was almost empty and we were tired out. A bigger tank would have made no difference to the journey which was undertaken before the recent strikes where a small petrol tanker towed behind would have been useful!