Early +8 fuel tanks were mounted differently than +4 tanks. Why, one can
only speculate. They were not supported on wood at all. They are very leak
prone and actually every single early +8 that I have seen has had problems
with leakage from soldered joints. These tanks were mounted directly to
the frame with four bolts and consequently were subjected to the twisting
movements of the frame.
Regards ,
Greg Solow
-----Original Message-----
From: TrmpetDave@aol.com <TrmpetDave@aol.com>
To: gregmogdoc@surfnetusa.com <gregmogdoc@surfnetusa.com>;
Morgans@autox.team.net <Morgans@autox.team.net>
Date: Saturday, February 27, 1999 10:57 PM
Subject: Re: Morgan Gas Tank
>
>In a message dated 2/16/99 11:31:14 PM, gregmogdoc@surfnetusa.com writes:
>
><<I have had my car since 1965 when I purchased it new. The only problem I
>have had with my gas tank , and I have seen the same problem in many other
>cars, was that the two baffles which run fore and aft dividing the tank
>roughly in thirds, came unsoldered from the inside of the tank and fell to
>the bottom where they would slide around and sometimes interfere with the
>correct functioning of the fuel gauge. To repair this, I ultimately
>drilled 8 holes through the sides of the tank so that the baffles could be
>pop riveted into place securely. Then the steel pop rivets were silver
>soldered over to plug the holes . There have been no problems since. I
>believe that the original mounting, solidly on good wood boards is an
>excellent solution. The leaks are caused by either the boards coming
adrift
>from the chassis, or the tank itself coming loose from the beards and
moving
>around then stressing the soldered joints. The two wooden boards are
>fastened together by two metal straps that are screwed into the wood. Then
>the boards are fastened to the fuel tank by four bolts that pass through
the
>mounting brackets that are soldered to the ends of the tank. Then this
>whole rigid assembly is attached to the frame by THREE screws ONLY. There
>is a good reason for that. THREE POINTS DETERMINE A PLANE. With the board
>platform attached in this manner, the boards and the tank form one unit
that
>is insulated form any flexing of the frame, i.e.. the frame can move
around
>but the tank will not be "bent" or twisted. .
>
> As I recall it, the tank in my '71 +8 was solidly bolted (4 bolts) to
the
>boards, which were bolted to the frame, making the tank a stressed member
of
>the frame. I tried to take care of the leaks by taking the tank out and
>rolling sealer around inside, which helped only temporarily. When Jerry
>Willburn restored my car 2 years ago, he had a new tank done up in
aluminum,
>which so far is working fine.
>
>
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