I am having a pair of aluminum tanks made here in the states. I only have the right tank as a pattern. This tank has a sender. The fabricator wanted to know if I needed a sender in the left tank. Do I?
Also, what is the sender from? Mine looks like it was originally longer then shortened. Is that a factory modification?
Here is a link to my progress... I just about have all the chassis metal work done. Just need to post a few new photos.
I can confirm that both tanks have senders (otherwise you wouldn't get a reading on the fuel gauge when switching from one tank to the other). I have, however, no idea where it was sourced from but I don't doubt someone will be along shortly to point you in the right direction.
Nice build up, by the way but you DO realise you've got the steering wheel at the wrong side
Can't help wondering it it might be worth investigating a group buy? I'm in need of a pair of tanks and although they're being made in America it might be worth thinking about unless anyone can point me to a fabricator in the UK?
Senders were (shortened) TR3. They are not terribly linear because of the shape of the tank. full = full, empty = empty, but inbetween is anyone's guess. Some plastic floats may have problems with modern E5 (5% biofuel). A crude test is to see if they soften if immersed in meths overnight.
Pattern senders are available, but may have the mechanism mounted above the tank, which means that they won't sit under the cover. The originals, and LUCAS pattern replacements have a flat (flush) top. The Lucas gauge uses a different actuation mechanism, the resistance element has a different range, and the two are not interchangeable.
The Jaeger guage will only work correctly if the instrument casing is earthed. This isn't shown in the circuit diagram, and missing it out will burn out the guage (check autojumble finds with a meter before purchase)
IMHO, the best solution is to use Lucas (Flush) tank senders, which are cheaper and more easily available, and a Lucas guage. If you dismantle it carefully, and open out the needle orifice, then you can substitute the dial and domed glass from a correct Jaeger instrument. Remember that you'll also need a voltage stabiliser.
The tank changeover swith apparently is shared with Landrover. "Electronic" sourced replacements are readily available, but will not handle the current that the fuel pump draws, so a changeover relay is required.
Good day to everyone. In the way of a brief introduction, I'm the guy whoi is having the aluminum repro tanks fabricated for Dean. I'm acquainted with him through the Lotus Europa Yahoo Newsgroup, and have reproduced close to 100 tanks since 2007.
Anyway, I saw a Peerless GT a couple of years ago here in Ohio, and then Dean inquired earler this year about doing a pair of custom tanks for his restoration. Since the fabricator just finished up a run of S2 Europa tanks, the shop has time to do a few prototypes. Here's what I can tell everyone so far.
The fabricator is working directly from Dean's OEM RH tank, and will produce one RH and one LH tank for him - a mirror image pair. Since the tanks are a tight fit in the undersill compartments, each panel will be slightly undersize rather than oversize - by roughly 1/16" to 1/8". The two OEM fittings - for the pick-up tube and vent - will retain their OEM locations on the rear end plate of each tank. However, NPT female weld bungs will be substituted in place of the actual fittings which are not readily available in aluminum. I did this with all the Europa tanks. It holds down the cost and allows each owner to use an adapter to connect to whichever size and type lines found in each car. Everything from simple hose barbs to fitting for AN type fuel hoses or hard lines.
We may also add one additional bung for a drain plug, also on the rear end plate but at the bottom in the center.
At this writing, plans are to duplicate the OEM sending unit hole re: its diameter, hole pattern, thread size, and location. If you prefer a top mounted hole, that may be available as an option.
Since Dean's tanks have not yet been produced, I can only estimate shipping to the UK at somewhere around $60.00 each, depending on weight and the cost of the boxes. No pre-production estimate of the tank price right now, but I hope to have a target price later this week. Stay tuned ....
I spoke with the fabricator yesterday, and the estimated price per tank will be $355.00. Not as good as I had hoped, but not too bad compared to what the average speed shop charges for something you wouldnt buy anyway. Back in 2007, the going rate for a rectangular tank made from whatever left over aluminum plate I have on hand was $350.00 to $400.00.
One reason the price is a bit higher than all three (3) versions of Lotus Europa tanks the shop makes for me, is that the Peerless tank has two internal baffles.The other is volume.I committed to buy 25 units each of the Series 2 and Twin Cam tanks [and actually exceeded those numbers].
We are proceeding with a pair for Deans car in April, and I will post pictures when they are finished. I will also be able to package and weigh one, then, to determine a firm price for shipping overseas. [Should be around $60.00 per tank or less].
