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Alternative tank
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 11:45 am
by stuffedpike20
I have to accept that my van tank is past it. On inspection the bottom of it is like a sieve.
I have put some putty on it temporarily to move the car around.
I don't want to try to weld it. I don't want to get a saloon tank and move the filler pipe. I don't want to fill the tank with a sealer. I don't want to pay out how much a new van tank costs. The only new van tanks seem to be the large capacity type, that I do not need.
Are there any alternative tanks, either steel or plastic, that could be used? A mini van tank looks promising...different sender unit though...but much cheaper than a minor van tank. Any others?
Thanks
John
Re: Alternative tank
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 1:15 pm
by Sleeper
I believe an Escort Mk1 or 2 van tank fits...
John ;-)
Re: Alternative tank
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 2:02 pm
by stuffedpike20
Cheeky!
They are nothing like a moggy tank.
Re: Alternative tank
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 2:22 pm
by Bill_qaz
Have you tried looking at plastic boat tanks online to see if anything is suitable, hard to advise without knowing shape or dimensions of van tank
Or could an Austin healey tank be made to fit as they seem way cheaper.
Petrol Tank
https://share.google/dImtETVMzBJJLxUik
Re: Alternative tank
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 2:41 pm
by les
The difficulty is finding an alternative with a similar filler pipe position.
- IMG_0915.jpeg (35.35 KiB) Viewed 4072 times
Re: Alternative tank
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 2:58 pm
by stuffedpike20
Van tanks are the same size as saloon tanks, but the filler pipe comes straight out, and is not at an angle.
Re: Alternative tank
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 2:59 pm
by Bill_qaz
https://ebay.us/m/5sZjKY
Possible neck in similar position and could be cut down, not sure of dimensions? Certainly a lot cheaper
Could you cut the neck off your tank and weld it to a 2nd hand saloon tank and blank original, as a cheaper solution.
Re: Alternative tank
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 4:01 pm
by philthehill
You should not put a welding gun or flame anywhere near a used or S/H petrol tank.
No matter how hard you try to clean the inside of the tank to make it free of combustible elements there will always be residual combustible elements remaining which could go off with a bang so causing serious injury.
If you have need to weld a petrol tank you should go through the proper process of cleaning the tank both inside and outside and have the correct certification for it being free of combustible elements. That process will cost money so my advice is to spend out on a new tank (even if it is of a larger capacity) and be safe for your self and those around you.
Re: Alternative tank
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 4:16 pm
by stuffedpike20
I changed the position of the filler onj a saloon tank before. It went ok, and did not leak...but finding a good cheap saloon tank is nearly as hard as finding a van one.
My neighbouir and I were soldering my tank yesterday. Unfortunately I found 5 more holes when I got the rotary wire brush on it.
I washed the tank out with boiling water and soda crystals, and then swilled diesel round the tank to stop flash rusting. There was no petrol smell, and little chance of it blowing up. I played the blowtorch down the filler neck before we started soldering....and I am still here. But Phil is right....it's dangerous!
Re: Alternative tank
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 5:40 pm
by Bill_qaz
philthehill wrote: ↑Thu Dec 18, 2025 4:01 pm
You should not put a welding gun or flame anywhere near a used or S/H petrol tank.
No matter how hard you try to clean the inside of the tank to make it free of combustible elements there will always be residual combustible elements remaining which could go off with a bang so causing serious injury.
If you have need to weld a petrol tank you should go through the proper process of cleaning the tank both inside and outside and have the correct certification for it being free of combustible elements. That process will cost money so my advice is to spend out on a new tank (even if it is of a larger capacity) and be safe for your self and those around you.
Yes, good warning Phil, we did discuss this on the OP initial tank repair post.
viewtopic.php?t=79504
Re: Alternative tank
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2025 6:57 am
by stuffedpike20
Not sure what I am going to do.
One thought...do you need a sender unit with a longer arm for the big capacity tank?
Re: Alternative tank
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2025 8:10 am
by Keith
Yes you need to so the gauge reads accurately. I did it when I fitted the ESM tank to my 61 van. I cut the sender rod and added in a section.
Re: Alternative tank
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2025 8:38 am
by stuffedpike20
Thanks Keith.