Fuel Tank

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  • #235866
    George Bono
    Participant

    @georgeb

    Since I have my gas tank removed right now,and I am cleaning out the whole thing under the Hood(bonnet) I figure its a good time to paint it. Right now its black but looks like crap, not rusted just not clean looking. Is there a primer specially made for fuel tanks? And if I want to make it a color match to my interior what about the kind of paint for it? I’ve never done this so have a heart with the new guy! 😉

    #265614
    Rich Kallenberger
    Participant

    @kall

    My 2 cents: I used spray paint made for car wheels on the outside of the gas tank and a few other underhood trim parts and it is standing up to small gas spils so far. I also used a spray on bedliner paint on the underhood (both hoods VW) fiberglass and i think that it improves the look of the “back” side of the fiberglass by making it all the same color. When you have the car in pieces is the time for that because any overspray is hard to get off, believe me. You don’t want a shiny finish because it emphasises the rough surface of the fiberglass.
    Also, you might want to put a gas shutoff valve in the output hose of the gas tank to simplify removing it later to access those troublesome steering column parts.Kall2015-09-30 13:56:10

    #265615
    George Bono
    Participant

    @georgeb

    Thanks for the two cents, never would of thought to use bed liner paint for both hoods underside is not finished on mine, either of them. Your right I have the hood removed so best time to do it. I also read here where some put in a shutoff on the gas line since its all accessible and I thought of that also since I wish to re arrange my fuel line anyway. It right now goes over the battery to the tunnel and that looks sloppy in my opinion. My only though is would the underside keep the heat in by the engine since most bed liner paint i have seen is black? Or would it matter? Thanks again

    #265616
    Rich Kallenberger
    Participant

    @kall

    This is what I used:

    Rust-Oleum/Brush on truck bed coating

    It seems to come in two colors at AutoZone, black & light grey?  Maybe other colors from others.

    Despite the name it does come in a spray can as well which is way fast.

    Don’t know about the heat effects.  Anyone?

    Kall2015-09-30 16:09:50

    #265617
    John Simion
    Participant

    @johnsimion

    The original builder of my car built a trunk box that fits under the “hood”. I am having it re-lined with fresh carpet and plan to extend the carpet over the inside of the hood. I am also planning to run carpet over the gas tank as well, using Velcro for removable attachment (having just replaced all my fuel lines, shut offs, and filters). I plan on having upholster put elastic bands on the gas tank carpet because there is room there to put the jack and other tools there, leaving the actual trunk empty and available for real use.

    #265618
    George Bono
    Participant

    @georgeb

    I would appreciate it if someone who has a finished off trunk box under their hood send pictures. Something else I was considering doing but need an idea on how to do it…Thanks

    #265619
    Paul Mossberg
    Keymaster

    @pmossberg

    Front trunk in a VW based Classic Roadsters Duchess:

     
     
     
     
     

    PMOSSBERG2015-09-30 18:06:27

    Paul Mossberg
    Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
    2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

    If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

    #265620
    Paul Mossberg
    Keymaster

    @pmossberg

    Just one comment on above, the “box” covering the steering column (4th and 5th pictures) is not in the Classic Roadsters assembly manual. I added it.

     
    I didn’t like the idea of a bare steering column running thrugh a packed trunk.
     
    It’s simply two pieces of plywood, cut to follow the angles of the trunk floor and sides, with an additional “leg” holding it up along on the body side.

    Paul Mossberg
    Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
    2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

    If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

    #265621
    George Bono
    Participant

    @georgeb

    SWEET! Thanks for the photos Also gives me an idea to improve on the the way to hold up the hood with that strap you have. Mine is some cheasy bar that works but stinks. Although I have the tank in a different spot its a nice clean look you have, hopefully I’ll learn something thanks so much for the pictures!

    #265622
    Paul Mossberg
    Keymaster

    @pmossberg

    The strap is actually one of the shoulder belts from the donor VW. One end you can see, riveted to the firewall. The other end is screwed to a support channel that runs the center length of the hood.

     
    You have to be careful on windy days. The right gust can catch the hood and blow it closed (or down onto your head).
     

    Paul Mossberg
    Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
    2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

    If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

    #265623
    George Bono
    Participant

    @georgeb

    Hahaha…I thought that looked like a seatbelt…I’ll have to figure a good way to mount something for the hood.

    #265624
    Bob
    Participant

    @lrh

    Also have the old seat belt, yet is only attached by a pair of screws through each of the folded over ends.

    I had to add more glue to the already glued approx. 1′ square plywood on underside of hood.
    Whatever the glue was had stretched like rubber, pulling away from the fiberglass interior, and was mainly being held in place by the carpeting that covers everything in there.
    I tried Gorilla glue as a temporary fix, without pulling the plywood out of the carpet, and it held until my gas tank leaked and the fumes apparently dislodged it; lost an estimated quart down into the floor of the car, so the fumes were excessive in that totally enclosed unvented space (except for the fuel hose hole).
    I think the plywood isn’t a perfect fit anyhow, not curved against the hood. Both glues had been put on like cake icing writing, very little contact, so I’m having to decide how to go about making the attachment there more permanent, since I’m doubtful slathered on glue could hold either, especially if gas fumes ever cause a problem again.

    LRH2015-10-01 22:48:49

    #265625
    John Simion
    Participant

    @johnsimion

    Instead of screwing through glued-on plywood, why not just run a pair of oval-headed bolts through the hood and bolt your seat belt strap underneath?  You’d never have to worry about the bolts coming loose from gas fumes, and you could put one bolt on each side of the chrome strip for symmetry.  You could paint the heads to match the body, or use chrome or stainless bolts, and I’d bet no one would ever even notice them.  It’s not like there aren’t any other bolts visible on the outside of the body.

    #265626
    billnparts
    Participant

    @billnparts

    Glue your mounting base to the hood underside, then fiberglass it in. No visible screws.

    Bill Ascheman
    Fiberfab Ford
    Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
    Autocross & Hillclimb
    "Drive Happy"

    #265627
    Bob
    Participant

    @lrh

    johnsimion wrote:
    Instead of screwing through glued-on plywood, why not just run a pair of oval-headed bolts through the hood
    I should clarify my previous message, I was relaying my experience for GeorgeB so he could try to avoid my trouble. Also knew someone would have ideas I might be able to use, too.
    😀
    My car has nothing on the hood and although I’ve thought about adding a chrome or stainless steel strip I actually like the way the hood has nothing on it other than the latches and hinge. So for now I can’t see doing anything to the hood that isn’t invisible on the outside.
    The fiberglass would be good, never done anything like it before but maybe I could learn!
    #265628
    Al Greig
    Participant

    @al-greig

    I attached the hood holding cable to one of the bolts that goes through the hood to secure the chrome strip the runs down the center.

    #265629
    Paul Mossberg
    Keymaster

    @pmossberg

    Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess has a chrome strip running down the center of the hood.

    In line with that, on the under side of the hood is a length of half inch u channel.

    A half dozen or so trim clips with threaded rods go through the hood, through the u channel and are bolted on.

    The seat belt is folded over, and attached to the u channel with a couple finishing screws.

    That has held up fine since 1982. 😉

    Paul Mossberg
    Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
    2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

    If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

    #265630
    Paul Mossberg
    Keymaster

    @pmossberg

    Pictures of above….

    Paul Mossberg
    Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
    2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

    If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

    #265631
    Paul Mossberg
    Keymaster

    @pmossberg

    And a close up of the channel that runs under the chrome strip.

    Paul Mossberg
    Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
    2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

    If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

    #265632
    billnparts
    Participant

    @billnparts

    Add another channel and you could put up bookshelves, Paul.

    Bill Ascheman
    Fiberfab Ford
    Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
    Autocross & Hillclimb
    "Drive Happy"

    #265633
    Paul Mossberg
    Keymaster

    @pmossberg

    Only for reproductions of the original books. Clown

    Paul Mossberg
    Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
    2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

    If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

    #265634
    newkitman
    Participant

    @newkitman

    Paul. My guess is your hood strip came with the kit.  I bought mine from MG Magic and doesn’t have the strip on the underside. The studs are secured in a channel of the hood strip and they have fiber washer nuts (self-locking nuts). These cause the tabs of the stud to twist in the hood strip channel and want to pull out. I will change to the washer, lock-washer and hex nut like yours. I hope this will help others thinking of purchasing the MG Magic hood strip. I also emailed them and let them know what was occurring with mine.

    Allen Caron
    VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
    "If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The Shack

    #265635
    Paul Mossberg
    Keymaster

    @pmossberg

    Correct Allen. That all came with the Duchess kit.

    Classic Roadsters Ltd. had a lot of little details in their cars that made for a quality build.

    I have the same clips in the chrome strip. and I agree hex nuts and lock washers will probably work better. You can then apply as much torque as you need, without twisting the clips out of the trim.

    PMOSSBERG2015-10-03 13:30:51

    Paul Mossberg
    Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
    2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

    If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

    #265636
    George Bono
    Participant

    @georgeb

    Well, I just learned a whole lot on ways to make a strap for the hood. I have a piece of trim which is just screwed on that goes down the Center of my hood, its not chrome but looks like polished aluminum. Looking at Pauls setup I think I could adapt. If I got a book case channel I could mount it with longer screws and nuts and attach a seat belt in the same manor, although mine hinges on the driver side. Again, Thanks guys

    #265637
    billnparts
    Participant

    @billnparts

    😆

    Bill Ascheman
    Fiberfab Ford
    Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
    Autocross & Hillclimb
    "Drive Happy"

Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 32 total)
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