464 replies to this topic

[GraemeC]

Interested in how you do make the hole!  The easy way is to template and mirror the LHS, but apparently that's not quite right (or not as per originally factory cars with a RH tank.

Although for this can I guess its not one for he rivet counters as long as it works and looks right?

[Ben_O]

Interested in how you do make the hole!  The easy way is to template and mirror the LHS, but apparently that's not quite right (or not as per originally factory cars with a RH tank.
Although for this can I guess its not one for he rivet counters as long as it works and looks right?

I have a template that I cut from a mk2 cooper s back panel i changed a few years back that I'll be using so it should all be fine.

Cheers
Ben

[Ben_O]

Ok, hole drilled after lots of measuring



And then I need to fit the base plate for the tank to sit on.
The seam of the tank needs to sit tightly against the edge of the base plate so it needs to be right.
I dont have any measurements so I made an educated guess



Luckily, it was only a couple of mm out at the back so a quick adjustment was made

And then in with the tank.



It sits exactly where it needs to be however the tank itself is a reproduction and isnt the same as a genuine tank which causes a few minor issues.

The first being that the filler neck isnt quite square and the second is the seam of the tank is too far over leaving very little space for the tank strap.

Looking through the top,it does sit relatively square to the battery box.



Genuine tanks aren't available and used ones are expensive and few so we will work with what we have and make the best of it.

Next up is the bottom strap, just needs a hole drilling through the boot floor to secure it and the top one bolts to a bracket which bolts to the rear bulkhead.
After marking its position, I drilled some holes



And then fitted the strap.



And it all fits fine





The strap bolt is very obscured so is tricky to tighten but a flex bar on the ratchet just about squeezes in.



Just need to remove it all now and weld the base plate to the boot floor.

Cheers
Ben

Edited by Ben_O, 14 January 2021 - 11:47 AM.

[Carlos W]

Is there still plenty of space for the rear lights and wiring mate?

[Ben_O]

Is there still plenty of space for the rear lights and wiring mate?

Yeah, that's all fine.
The tank is shaped to accommodate that

Edited by Ben_O, 14 January 2021 - 12:49 PM.

[Ben_O]

Base plate now welded in,ground back and primed

Edited by Ben_O, 14 January 2021 - 12:50 PM.

[Maccmike8]

Nice work.

[I hate Brian]

Excellent as always Ben

[cooperd70]

Ben,

Fantastic work as on all of your posts!!

Has anyone ever tried to replace the filler neck rubber with a tank in? I need to replace mine and was hoping not to have to drain both tanks and remove them to replace them....thoughts anyone?

[Ben_O]

Ben,

Fantastic work as on all of your posts!!

Has anyone ever tried to replace the filler neck rubber with a tank in? I need to replace mine and was hoping not to have to drain both tanks and remove them to replace them....thoughts anyone?

I dont think it can be done.
However you might be able to unfasten the tanks and move them back without disconnecting them.
Just enough to get the filler neck out of the hole.

[cooperd70]

Cheers Ben! Yes...that's an idea. Something to be done in spring when the weather lifts a little 👍

[Ben_O]

Back to the bootlid and after a not inconsiderable amount of time, the conversion is done.



Not sure if I just had a dud conversion panel but I wasnt impressed with it.
The recess for the lamp was too narrow so I had to chop it and widen it by 15mm.
The curve on one side was completely wrong so had to be discarded and remade.

Never mind, the plinth fits well



And now stripped back to sort out some pre existing dents that were covered in filler



Cheers
Ben

[Redjohnno]

That looks fantastic Ben! Top work once again.

[JAYSONIC 79 IOW]

That right hand tanks looks so good Ben ! Great work Ben

[Kaj]

Top restoration work Ben, better than they left the factory.
You need to to have a YouTube channel, it would be very useful.