Thread: Duel tank fuel switch

All Series Landrovers I have seen here have a simple two way tap, with a separate switch for the gauge. These have not been diesel, but the return line problem could be dealt with by simply linking the breathers to function as an overflow line.

John

Guess one forgets the simple solutions are always the best. Thanks for the advice

I have a second tank in my Diesel SIIA. I have no selection valve. I use a SU lift pump to lift the fuel from the second tank to the main tank. This then drains into the main tank via the breather line. The least amount of plumbing is the most reliable plumbing.

Aaron.

Aaron, tks for the info. I had that system on a MB Gelandewagen 300D but it was problematic. I bought the car fitted with the extra tanks and fuel used to slosh between tanks and give erratic fuel guage readings. In one instance, I actually starved the engine while driving on a slope and had to re prime the system. Perhaps the plumbing was just badly done.

Hello All,

One of the issues you will have if you use the breather lines in a ganged together setting is that the fuel will always follow the path of least resistance. In that case, you could be taking fuel from one tank and returning to the other with the potential of overflowing the smaller tank and running out of juice as well.

So my suggestion would be to have a dual gang valve which covers both the feed and return lines. I am in the same situation with my 1965 109 Diesel Wagon and will likely make my own valve (I am a machine shop teacher and have a great shop to utilize.) If this is the case, I will be happy to share the drawings so you can have your own valve made by a local machine shop or might market what we make ;-)

Best regards,

Greg

Originally Posted by G.G. Sprock

Hello All,

One of the issues you will have if you use the breather lines in a ganged together setting is that the fuel will always follow the path of least resistance. In that case, you could be taking fuel from one tank and returning to the other with the potential of overflowing the smaller tank and running out of juice as well.

This would not be a problem with the dual under seat tanks provided the standard filler is fitted both sides as with the Australian Army 2as, as the filler is about a foot above the level of the vent on the tank (the LH filler hose is not available, but a RH one can be used by cutting it and putting in a short length of pipe with two clamps). The link would, of course, be as low as possible.

So my suggestion would be to have a dual gang valve which covers both the feed and return lines. I am in the same situation with my 1965 109 Diesel Wagon and will likely make my own valve (I am a machine shop teacher and have a great shop to utilize.) If this is the case, I will be happy to share the drawings so you can have your own valve made by a local machine shop or might market what we make ;-)

Best regards,

Greg

The setup for diesels in the parts book shows two separate two way valves, one with an extra arm on the shaft, linked by a bar (with a pivot each end) to the arm on the second tap. The two taps are apparently mounted about four inches apart vertically, shafts horizontal, the second tap on a bracket attached to the first. The normal position for the tap on the 2a is on the front of the seat box between the handbrake and the transmission tunnel.

John

Originally Posted by G.G. Sprock

Hello All,

One of the issues you will have if you use the breather lines in a ganged together setting is that the fuel will always follow the path of least resistance. In that case, you could be taking fuel from one tank and returning to the other with the potential of overflowing the smaller tank and running out of juice as well.

This would not be a problem with the dual under seat tanks provided the standard filler is fitted both sides as with the Australian Army 2as, as the filler is about a foot above the level of the vent on the tank (the LH filler hose is not available, but a RH one can be used by cutting it and putting in a short length of pipe with two clamps). The link would, of course, be as low as possible.

So my suggestion would be to have a dual gang valve which covers both the feed and return lines. I am in the same situation with my 1965 109 Diesel Wagon and will likely make my own valve (I am a machine shop teacher and have a great shop to utilize.) If this is the case, I will be happy to share the drawings so you can have your own valve made by a local machine shop or might market what we make ;-)

Best regards,

Greg

The setup for diesels in the parts book shows two separate two way valves, one with an extra arm on the shaft, linked by a bar (with a pivot each end) to the arm on the second tap. The two taps are apparently mounted about four inches apart vertically, shafts horizontal, the second tap on a bracket attached to the first. The normal position for the tap on the 2a is on the front of the seat box between the handbrake and the transmission tunnel.

John

Seems as though I have been here before, before, before.