Bordfunker Posted October 1, 2017 Report Share Posted October 1, 2017 I'm getting close to that point where I can put the petrol tank back in my Herald, having had to replace both boot corners. Now getting it out was a faff, so I thought I would try a trial run before completing the paintwork in the boot, and I could not get it to fit. It kept hanging up on the fuel drain at the bottom rear of the tank. Do I need to remove the blanking screw from the drain spout in order to get it to fit? If that isn't the solution, is there a knack to get a tank back in without scratching the living daylights out of your paintwork? Thanks Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 1, 2017 Report Share Posted October 1, 2017 It does need to drop in as low as possible, getting the filler to fit thro the wing hole is a faf Strong tea bags and it falls in when you stop trying to hard Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted October 1, 2017 Report Share Posted October 1, 2017 1 hour ago, Bordfunker said: I'm getting close to that point where I can put the petrol tank back in my Herald, having had to replace both boot corners. Now getting it out was a faff, so I thought I would try a trial run before completing the paintwork in the boot, and I could not get it to fit. It kept hanging up on the fuel drain at the bottom rear of the tank. Do I need to remove the blanking screw from the drain spout in order to get it to fit? If that isn't the solution, is there a knack to get a tank back in without scratching the living daylights out of your paintwork? Thanks Karl 1 hour ago, Bordfunker said: I'm getting close to that point where I can put the petrol tank back in my Herald, having had to replace both boot corners. Now getting it out was a faff, so I thought I would try a trial run before completing the paintwork in the boot, and I could not get it to fit. It kept hanging up on the fuel drain at the bottom rear of the tank. Do I need to remove the blanking screw from the drain spout in order to get it to fit? If that isn't the solution, is there a knack to get a tank back in without scratching the living daylights out of your paintwork? Thanks Karl I couldn't remove the fuel blanking screw. I managed to put the tank back but it was a difficult exercise . Manoeuvre the the spout so it's only just through the body by lifting the base of the tank . Note the rubber grommet for the filling pipe is only fitted when the tank is in place. The tank is then lifted away so the tank fuel drain can start its travel to its location. In my case I did scratch the floor but it wasn't too bad. You will need plenty of wiggling to complete the excercise . At times it seemed impossible but after 30 mins or so the tank suddenly went in. Hope this helps Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bordfunker Posted October 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2017 Thanks guys. Sounds like I am not the only one to have struggled with this one. I might try removing the drain plug, as that would give me another 5-6mm to play with, which is what looks to stopping the tank dropping in. That is of course if I can remove the plug! Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted October 2, 2017 Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 Have you removed the boot stay bracket above, which is also the top tank mounting bracket? This gives you sufficient clearance for the tank to twist out. Don't remove the drain screw unless you really have to and if you do, grip the drain tube so that the screw twists against the tube, not the entire assembly against the tank, where it will most likely shear off. I removed one a while ago using a well-gripped drain tube and an impact driver and it was hard going until it finally started to move. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted October 2, 2017 Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 On another Vitesse tank I managed to remove the drain plug by applying heat from a butane gun - The tank had been cleaned out with no vapour remaining - After applying heat I sprayed on WD40 , then heated again - did this 4 or 5 times and the plug started to move Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 2, 2017 Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 Hello Paul. What steps / process did you take to clean / clear that Vitesse fuel tank of its vapour ?? It was obviously a process that worked for you, BUT I doubt that such an action can really be condoned - it really is just too risky. At the end of the day I accept it's a personal decision. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted October 2, 2017 Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 Hi Richard - Used POR15 de greaser , washed out with hot water 3 times then POR 15 Ruster converter then washed out with hot water - After I removed the plug I completed with POR15 "fibreglass" coating Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 2, 2017 Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 Hello Paul. I have used the POR15 tank sealer process on a couple of fuel tanks and have to say it's an excellent process fro sealing the units; I know recently one of the Forum members had a problem with the process but there appears to have been additional factors to aggravate that situation. Presumably the finished appearance has a silver coating within the tank ?? Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bordfunker Posted October 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 Colin, I have removed the boot stay mounting bracket, but it seems that there is just a few mm too little in terms of wiggle room. I might give it another go with the drain plug left in, and see if I can't get it to fit. I've heard horror stories about the tank drain plug before. Paul my tank should be clean as it's been empty of fuel, and stored outside with all the openings open since April, so ought to be fume free, but I don't feel like applying heat to my newly painted tank! I'll let you know how I get on. Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahebron Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 Last time I degassed a tank I ran a pipe from a running petrol engined car into the tank. The exhaust gas nicely neutralises the fumes. I recently had the drain cut off my tank by a local radiator shop. Makes removal so much easier. Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 If it wont go back,,,, how did it get removed Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bordfunker Posted October 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 1 hour ago, Pete Lewis said: If it wont go back,,,, how did it get removed Pete With much swearing and scraping of paint! Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 You see re fitting is the reverse of removal often quoted in WSM Ever tried a broom handle inserted thro the wing , into the spout to lever it down a bit ,, Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 On 10/5/2017 at 8:18 AM, Pete Lewis said: You see re fitting is the reverse of removal often quoted in WSM Ever tried a broom handle inserted thro the wing , into the spout to lever it down a bit ,, Pete Don't start me on THIS thread..... "Re-assembly is the same as assembly, in reverse" "Ok I've put the car in reverse and it still won't fit".... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 Tom cat's "equipment" has a certain genetic design that it can't be withdrawn until the deed is done. Triumph design is much the same. F Uwe C K'd by design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sami 13/60 Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 Hi guys, Pleased to find a recent thread re this subject, as we have just spent a happy morning removing our half full tank from our 13/60 to find the leak problem.....turns out to have been repaired before, and, although I haven't inspected it properly yet, it looks as though someone may have strained the drain tube joint.....I probably didn't improve matters by using a jack on the drain plug to get the last bit through the floor.....it really is a tight fit isn't it! Ideally I think we need a new tank! Any suggestions please........are there any new tanks being made anywhere? Or is this a case of finding a good used one? Does anyone have a spare they want to part with at all? We're based on the south coast, but happy to travel a bit to collect one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bordfunker Posted November 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 Used would probably be cheaper than buying new. Try Quiller for a second hand tank, see link below. http://www.quillertriumph.co.uk/Quiller/Parts/partsused/partsused.htm As for getting the tank back in I found it was a case of levering some of the mounting brackets about a little bit, particularly the boot stay one, and then the tank went back in without a fight. Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 Is that a standard size fuel tank or a Vitesse size tank - difficult to confirm via the photo ?? It may be worth going for the larger type if you are looking for a replacement. Quiller ?? I am certain there are plenty of other suppliers to check out to secure your tank. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 I have a spare vitesse tank which has been sealed with POR 15 tank treatment PM me if you want futher info Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 There are refurbished models on eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TANK-FUEL-TANK-FUEL-PETROL-TANK-Triumph-Herald-Genuine-Part-59-67/132365835123?hash=item1ed19e5b73:g:VOUAAOSwHqRZvUSE or second-hand items which will cost around another £100 to have refurbished by any of the main renewal companies such as Fuel Tank Renu. At least this one doesn't appear to have bene molested: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Herald-13-60-Convertible-Fuel-Tank-with-sender-Cap-Vitesse/162741582044?hash=item25e42778dc:g:HE0AAOSwjyhaAZvz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted November 13, 2017 Report Share Posted November 13, 2017 New tanks are made by TD FItchetts they are only herald capacity and do not have the dreafull drain spout or the reserve lever cam So smaller than vitesse , and simpler less troublesome design You could take you tank to a radiator repair specialist for them to repair Pauls offer sound a plan Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sami 13/60 Posted November 15, 2017 Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 Thank you very much everyone, only just had a chance to log on again, and great to find so many helpful suggestions. I assume it is a Herald tank I have at present, but don't know for sure. Capacity isn't an issue for us as we only intend using the car relatively locally to home. I'll look into all the options and try and decide what to do, and let you know how we get on. Thanks again, Samantha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted November 15, 2017 Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 If you look at the size of the tank, Vitesse and larger capacity tanks are obviously wider and overhang part of the spare wheel well so require a small leg on the bottom that bolts to the side of the well. The larger capacity tank has a much wider profile to the right of the large seam (the lower side in your photograph); Heralds are pretty much even on both sides of the seam and don't overlap the spare wheel well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sami 13/60 Posted November 15, 2017 Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 Thanks Colin.......I can confirm it is standard Herald tank then based on your description. I've been talking to a friend who suggested filling the tank with water to get rid of vapour, thus enabling a repair. I have a neighbour who is a very good fabricator and motor mechanic (builds race cars, and many other interesting things), so I'll have a chat with him and see what he thinks...............will report in later Samantha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now