Double Tanks Options

[kez_19]

i have seen that some minis i believe that they are all coopers have 2 filler caps one on each side...... is it because they have 2 tanks or is it just for looks???? if they have 2 tanks do they take fuel from both tanks at the same time and into some sort of a t junction then to the engine or do they empty one tank then switch over to the next tank?????????????????????????

thanks for any help and advice

michael (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dontgetit.gif)

[jpd]

i have twin tank setup on my '92 italian job.

one tank is std size, the other is smaller c. 20 or 40L

both tabks feed into a T junction, with fuel filter on each end, having them going into a T junction pipe rules out the need for two fuel guages. I suppose a cut off switch could be fitted to the smaller tank, for around the town/short distance driving, but not really that necessary

[kez_19]

i have twin tank setup on my '92 italian job.

one tank is std size, the other is smaller c. 20 or 40L

both tabks feed into a T junction, with fuel filter on each end, having them going into a T junction pipe rules out the need for two fuel guages. I suppose a cut off switch could be fitted to the smaller tank, for around the town/short distance driving, but not really that necessary

thats great news and easy to do as well

do you have a smaller one for any special reason (lack of space etc )??

[Dan]

The right hand fuel tank was originally an option on Cooper S models and eventually became standard on them. It has been a very popular modification for all Minis ever since. It is smaller for one reason mainly, when it was first available the standard tank was smaller too at 5 1/2 gallons compared to the 7 1/2 that later Minis have. The right hand tank tooling was made by adapting the press parts from the original tank so it is the same size as the 5 1/2 gallon left hander. When the new larger tank was first fitted no Minis were fitted with right hand tanks as standard so a larger tank wasn't designed for the other side. Also a larger tank would make battery access tricky, even the small right hand tank overhangs the battery. Nobody needs 15 gallons of fuel capacity in a Mini anyway, and the boot would end up being tiny. If I was fitting a right hander I would swap my large left hand tank for the smaller one. 11 gallons is quite enough (and weighs enough).

the other is smaller c. 20 or 40L

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol.gif) Smaller at 40 litres! How big is your left hand tank? It's only meant to be 34 litres!

[kez_19]

Nobody needs 15 gallons of fuel capacity in a Mini anyway, and the boot would end up being tiny. If I was fitting a right hander I would swap my large left hand tank for the smaller one. 11 gallons is quite enough (and weighs enough).

well actually the reason i am asking is because i live in northern Sweden and it can be a bit far between petrol stations so when i saw a couple of minis with double tanks i wasn't sure if it was possible or just decoration (IMG:style_emoticons/default/genius.gif)

[taffy1967]

The original Cooper S was ground breaking in most forms of Motorsport, so no it wasn't just decorational: -

(IMG:http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l236/taffy1967/Mini%20Stuff/MKIIMiniCooperS.jpg)

[MarkGTT]

It was also used for better weight distribution not just extra fuel capacity.

[mk1leg]

You can fit R/H tank to your mini its not to hard as I'v just done mine............... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

(IMG:http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x259/mk1leg/minirestoration1024.jpg)

(IMG:http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x259/mk1leg/minirestoration1026.jpg)

(IMG:http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x259/mk1leg/minirest4002.jpg)

(IMG:http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x259/mk1leg/minirestoration1028.jpg)

[biggav]

I have a modified Left handed tank on the right and a larger original on the left. Holds lots and lots of super unleaded (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)
(IMG:http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m117/biggav79/Car/DSC00147.jpg)

..... and a big tank of nitrous inbetween.

(IMG:http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m117/biggav79/Car/DSC00149.jpg)

[Tomf]

I have a modified Left handed tank on the right and a larger original on the left. Holds lots and lots of super unleaded (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)
(IMG:http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m117/biggav79/Car/DSC00147.jpg)

..... and a big tank of nitrous inbetween.

(IMG:http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m117/biggav79/Car/DSC00149.jpg)

Did you just use a BFH? or did you chop some out and re-weld? also did you have to re-weld the fuel neck?

[kez_19]

You can fit R/H tank to your mini its not to hard as I'v just done mine............... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

(IMG:http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x259/mk1leg/minirestoration1024.jpg)

(IMG:http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x259/mk1leg/minirestoration1026.jpg)

(IMG:http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x259/mk1leg/minirest4002.jpg)

(IMG:http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x259/mk1leg/minirestoration1028.jpg)

did you have to modify your tank/s to get them to fit if so what did you have to do??

did you find the same problem as mentioned earlier in the thread about access to the battery

[mk1leg]

No, access to battery is as the same as I fitted an orignal R/H tank................... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

[biggav]

My modifies lh tank just had the filler neck cut off and re-attached in a different position and a plate welded in the hole that was left... i bought it already done.

[Tomf]

Cheers (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Looks like ill be buying another tank to have a play with lol, also when filling that tanks up, do you just fill from 1 side and it just self levels? or do you have to fill both sides?

[Ethel]

They will self level, but a lot slower than you can fill them.