Hilly Healey Gas Tank Woes - Solution?

[healeynut]

Hi -

I have my BJ8 here with me in Hong Kong, which has many many many steep hills. Makes for fun driving but it does not work well with the Healey Gas Tank.

Here's my problem. I cannot drive with less than 2/5ths of a tank otherwise I will run out of gas every time I am running up a hill. I have now done this probably four times in Hong Kong. It's a pain because I am always having to stop at the service station to fill it up and keep it full.

I was wondering if anyone else out there has dealt with this problem?

I was thinking of taking the gas tank out and having it modified where the fuel pickup is moved from the front bottom of the tank to the rear bottom of the tank. This would mean going up hills I will always have gas, whereas I would run the chance of running empty while running downhill... no big deal here. My only concern with doing this is would she run out of fuel on a low tank in the flats with this type of set up?

Thoughts?

 

[Johnny]

I thought the fuel pickup tube inside the tank extended down into the recession in the middle of the tank?

You could always turn the car around and drive up the hills in reverse! Just kidding, old "model T ford" owners have done just that due to no fuel pump. Those cars relied on gravity to deliver fuel to the engine.

 

[zblu]

Alan,
Ever thought of a diesel purolator filter inline betwixt the carbs and the tank (about 500mm capacity)and above the carb bowls so as to have a feed source when the pump dries up so to speak!

 

[bighly]

Alan,

Perhaps you restored this tank by "sloshing" a curing agent inside? If so the screen inside the tank is likely partially clogged with the curing agent which is designed to trap rust particles and the such and seal old tanks. You might consider a fuel safe racing fuel cell made to reduce the effects of high G turns and fuel starvation caused by the lack of pick up during turns, acceleration and heavy braking. You will find that the cost of a new original style tank and the fuel cell to be about the same.

Just a thought.

 

[healeynut]

That's a good idea!! Why didn't I think of that!

 

[healeynut]

Alan,

Perhaps you restored this tank by "sloshing" a curing agent inside? If so the screen inside the tank is likely partially clogged with the curing agent which is designed to trap rust particles and the such and seal old tanks. You might consider a fuel safe racing fuel cell made to reduce the effects of high G turns and fuel starvation caused by the lack of pick up during turns, acceleration and heavy braking. You will find that the cost of a new original style tank and the fuel cell to be about the same.

Just a thought.

That's a good thought bighly, but when grades here are routinely over 1:10, it is simply a function that when you are going up the hill, up to three gallons will sit in the back of the tank with nothing around the pickup.

That's a good idea on the racing tank, I know Dennis Welch and Cape International sell them. The cell foam, however, does remove some capacity from the tank... so, hmmm?

 

[healeynut]

I thought the fuel pickup tube inside the tank extended down into the recession in the middle of the tank?

You could always turn the car around and drive up the hills in reverse! Just kidding, old "model T ford" owners have done just that due to no fuel pump. Those cars relied on gravity to deliver fuel to the engine.

Johnny -

You jest... I had to do that exact thing one time in the BJ8 on a country road here... the other three times I couldn't because it was in an urban area with lots of traffic.

 

[anthony7777]

healeynut, simple just have your fuel guage recalibrated your probably carrying less fuel then indicated, /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/savewave.gif

 

[Keoke]

healeynut, simple just have your fuel guage recalibrated your probably carrying less fuel then indicated, /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/savewave.gif

-- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/savewave.gif
Or keep the tank full 7777's then you know what the fuel gauge says.---Keoke- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

[John Loftus]

Alan,
Ever thought of a diesel purolator filter inline betwixt the carbs and the tank (about 500mm capacity)and above the carb bowls so as to have a feed source when the pump dries up so to speak!

I'm not sure a large filter placed in a gravity situation you describe would fill up under normal driving. I've seen other in-line filters near the carbs only fill half way or less. The petrol may end up only seeking the lowest level as it passes through the filter since the filter is not vented (like the carb bowls). If the filter was vertical you may be able to fill it up but with the limited space between the bowls and bonnet that may be difficult to do.

A large capacity fuel filter between the tank and pump may help provide a reservoir, especially if the filter is below the pump. Wonder though if you would need a one way valve in the line to keep the petrol from draining back into the gas tank when the suction is lost on an uphill or if the pump suction would keep it from doing that?

Cheers,
John

 

[bighly]

I will again carry a 2 gal jerry can in the boot on my long trips this summer. When filling up in Canada last year on the after tour with Reid, Bill, Don and gang, I did not get a full tank once (the Canucks require attendants to do the filling) /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif. Needless to say I ran out about a gallon short of the next scheduled fuel stop. I jumped out, added the 2 gallons before anyone in the caravan was able to stop and ask what was wrong. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif I try to keep er filled up now.

 

[anthony7777]

healeynut, simple just have your fuel guage recalibrated your probably carrying less fuel then indicated, /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/savewave.gif

-- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/savewave.gif
Or keep the tank full 7777's then you know what the fuel gauge says.---Keoke- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

-- keoke, daaah ! me tinks hes onna dem guys what wants da scruity of seein it on a gage. sides what he gunna do stop at every uddah gas station he sees? his guestimattin dont seem to be workin gets all involved in a cool ride down dem hills but aint no gas stations onna way back up. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif