Monday 24 August 2009

Fuel Tank

I sent the tank back to MK a couple of weeks back to get a swirl pot added to the underside. At the same time, I'd also requested a 12mm fuel outlet (instead of the 8mm previously fitted) and a breather. The fuel pump I bought has a 12mm inlet so the tank's 12mm outlet now matches this and means I don't need to worry about using a reducing joiner to mate 12mm hose to 8mm hose.

Pic from underside of tank showing the new swirl pot


I'd spent some time over the weekend measuring up and bending some stainless lengths to act as straps to hold the tank down. These were lined with some sticky-backed foam as were the two chassis supports. I'd also removed the diff in order to give me some room to work around at the back of the chassis and will be left off until I've routed the fuel lines

I used a rivnut either side to bolt the tank down on the front and couple of 6mm bolts & nyloc nuts at the back.

Photo of the tank held down with the new tank straps:


The tank can still be removed at this stage as it will need to be taken off again to fit a fuel sender for the fuel gauge. I may decide to use sikaflex to stick the underside of the tank down as suggested by MK although the tank feels very secure at present.

No drill bits were harmed during the making of these tank straps!

One of the next jobs is to make or find a bracket to mount the fuel pump, route the fuel pipes along the transmission tunnel and then connect the hoses.

I received an update from Premier Wiring and the new two-piece loom should be here this week. I asked advice on whether to route the loom underneath the diff or over the top. Alan recommended routing over the top of the diff which makes sense as this keeps the loom away from the fuel lines.

Tuesday 4 August 2009

CVH sump modified!

I just received a message to say my sierra donor's original cvh sump has been modified! The sump has been chopped and shortened by approx 30mm to give some extra ground clearance underneath and is now at same level as the lower edge of the type 9 gearbox bellhousing. Although I can weld (in a fashion), a friend of mine, James, is a professional welder so the job was duly delegated to him!


I'm really chuffed with the job and I think James deserves a few beers from me!

Fuel Tank has arrived

The fuel tank I ordered from MK has arrived. Not fixed down as yet. I need to cut some 2mm thick stainless in 40mm wide sections to use as tank straps.
The new fuel pump arrived last week too so can start work making a bracket to mount the pump and routing the fuel lines. Fuel pump is for a Cavalier SRi, part number
OEM 0580464008

I'm also considering best method to shorten the handbrake cable by roughly 800mm as advised in the build manual. Based on locostbuilders advice, I'm going to use bulldog cable clamps to rejoin the cable.