Later fuel tank in a Bugeye

[drooartz]

Can you run the later (slightly larger) fuel tank in a Bugeye? I'd love to have a little more range available.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Yes, but you will also need to modify the float arm and make a retaining ring to hold the bugeye sender in the tank.

 

[Keith_M]

Any reason you can't use a later model sending unit along with the later model tank? (I'm interested in doing this as well)

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Got to match sender with gauge IIRC..

 

[drooartz]

Later fuel gauge would fit in the same spot if it could be sourced, I think. Will have to consider this. Bit more range out here in the land of open spaces would be nice to have.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Later fuel gauges look different than the bug eye gauges. You could have an early gauge rebuilt to match the late sender.

 

[bugeyepaul]

I probably have a couple of later gauges, Drew. Make a list so I can grab you that stuff next time I visit my mom. We can also make retaining rings here, no problem

 

[HealeyRick]

Does the filler tube have to be modified?

 

[Keith_M]

How different are the capacities of the two tanks? Below are pictures of a bugeye tank and a tank from a '66. Although they look a little different in size, the dimensions are identical. It's hard to believe there's much difference in capacity.

The gauges look different, but not much. I guess the innards might be different. It will be interesting to sort out my tank/sender/gauge combination, but that's still a ways down the road.

 

[nomad]

66 tank has the same meager capacity and the early tanks are all I have on my early cars. I considered doing the swap myself but then realized that the small capacity is a good thing! Gives you more reason to get out and stretch your legs! Much less temptation to push your travels to the limit. You do want to know your fuel consumption and range when traveling in the west though.

Kurt.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I think it was around 1974 when they got larger tanks. Definitely by 1976.

 

[drooartz]

How different are the capacities of the two tanks? Below are pictures of a bugeye tank and a tank from a '66. Although they look a little different in size, the dimensions are identical. It's hard to believe there's much difference in capacity.

The later tank is a bit over a gallon bigger than the early one. I think only the last of the chrome bumper cars in the US got the bigger tank.