Thread: SWB - Petrol tank installation - pattern - plans - method

Hi,

My 1960 Series II had a petrol tank installed in the passenger side of the vehicle... The previous owner didn't install a second filler - in order to fill the second tank you had to lift up the passenger seat base, unscrew a petrol cap and fill it that way. Much like a Series I petrol tank under the drivers seat.

There was a switch on the firewall that simply selected left or right hand tank. Not an electric switch - more like a tap. I think that military series used something similar.

Personally I didn't like the installation and removed it. I didn't like the idea of kicking the wife out of her seat to fill it - or because there was no sender, you couldn't see how much petrol was left in the tank..

But it's another idea..

Cheers,
GG.

GG thanks. It is another option although I suspect wouldn't pass a RWC inspection. I don't think they are too keen on a fuel filler inside the vehicle cab. Also both of the Landies I owned in the 70s and 80s - a 2A and a 3- had the external fill arrangement installed. Too easy.

If practical, I'd be tempted to get the second tank plumbed in and working, filler under the seat, just to see how it goes THEN worry about an external filler (which I agree would be the best option). The advantages of this move would be that you get to see how much the second tank gets used and you get the plumbing sorted, the thought being it'd be a pity to cut a hole in the body only to find you can't get it to work or don't get any realistic benefit from it. Sort of a 'don't do anything you can't undo' approach.

There is a lot of sense in what you suggest Crackers. I wonder whether there is a problem with petrol vapours smelling up the interior. I suppose I could run a short breather pipe under the seat.

Damian,

There may be a problem with a filler inside the vehicle check out VicRoads VSI8
OK if originally fitted but not if a 'modification'.

How far will you be traveling to need an additional fuel tank ? Is yours currently a 10gallon or a 16 gallon ?

My Series I has a tank under the tub and two Facet pumps are used, one for each tank. A switch selects which Facet and which sender are used.
Picture below shows pumps on LHS and a fuel pressure regulator (the Facets were too high a pressure).




Another option is the changeover valve from a Military Series IIa



Colin

Colin,

Had a read of VIS 8. Thanks for that. I don't think there is any doubt that a filler, even under the seat box, but filled by lifting the "tool-box" lid, would be regarded as being "inside the passenger compartment". In any event the filler pipe on the tank surface is, as I understand it, at the rear of the tank and would be behind the passenger seat. By the time you got a rubber pipe and a cap ring and cap on top of that it would almost certainly be inside that compartment. The alternative would, I guess, involve a specially manufactured fitting ($$$$$$) for the tank to bring the fuel cap down closer to the tank's surface to keep it under the seat box lid (Does that make sense?) Putting a skin fitting on would be child's play in contrast.
It is a 10 gallon (Imp) I believe. Given the range it could well be cutting it fine in SW NSW, SA, or even extended travel in High Plains country without the jerry option which I really do want to avoid. These things are slow enough without a roof rack.

Damian

Damian,
First stage might be to fit a 16gallon tank, your tank could then be moved to the passenger side if needed at a later date.
4-Wheel Drives get the tanks made but they are fairly expensive, hopefully you can find someone parting a vehicle out and score a 16 gallon tank.

Colin

Colin,

Do you know which vehicles were fitted with the 16 gal tank? As in which model. I don't expect you to know the particular cars