RE: [doc] RHD metal fuel tanks

["Gutkowski, Martin" <martin.gutkowski@xxxx>]

Walt, there's a pic of the Hooper's tank here - dunno if they're still using it

 

http://www.delorean.co.uk/pictures/dcp01652.jpg

 

You can see the pump on top of the tank. No idea what the internals are like but I believe the whole tank was just a welded up box, and not very well done. Mark Bourne has replaced his with an OEM one.

 

I suggest trying a solutino like John Hervey's but use a bettre pickup filter- they create quite a vacuum in the pickup hose (as I discovered). James RG has had very good results by taking a cheap in-line filter apart (which has a proper element) and mounting that to the end of a short pickup hose. I will get around to this one day. I personally have an in-line filter spliced into the pickup hose - it cavitates slightly when the fuel is low, and esp on hot days, though what we get here is nothing compared to you guys. My new tank must've been dusty inside because the pickup filter I got from Wingray blocked up within 100 miles.

 

Martin

-----Original Message-----
From: Walter Coe [mailto:Whalt@xxxx]
Sent: 07 February 2003 00:48
To: doc-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [doc] RHD metal fuel tanks

I would like to know if anyone can supply me with photos and/or a description of the metal fuel tanks used on the RHD DeLoreans.  Specifically, I would like to know:

 

How is the fuel pump mounted?  Inside or outside the tank?

 

How are the lines sealed where they penetrate the tank?

 

What kind of fuel pickup and baffle were used?

 

Why I want to know:

Particularly in hot climates, there are issues with heat from the coolant pipes conducting through the OEM plastic fuel tank and into the fuel.  After driving home with my fuel pump cavitating loudly like a headlight buzzer I put a thermometer in there and measured a fuel temperature of 118 ºF.  So I want to make a new fuel tank out of stainless steel that will make more room for insulation around the coolant pipes since the OEM plastic tank leaves no such room.  Anything thatI could learn about the metal tanks could be useful.

 

Thanks,
Walt Tampa, Florida
DOC member 315! :-)