Fuel tank location

Anyone located a tank behind the seats rather than under the hood?

There seems to be plenty of space

why?

There is already a weight issue (not enough) up front.

Gerry,

Keep the tank in front. You need it for weight distribution. The front is so light your gas, tire, tools, battery etc help to balance you out.

Dave

'twas just a thought......

Looks like I may have to put the filler outside, outlaw style, (to meet UK BIVA standard).

I figured it would be less work on a non opening panel behind the seat, but I take your point on the weight distribution.

I also have a classic Fiat 500....I just put a 25kg bag of builders sand in the front compartment :)

You could mount it there or do it the old Porsche way on the wheel well(fender) ????

Gerry, I'm in the UK and have a Chesil (2007) that has a filler under the bonnet. I didn't want the exterior fill as I thought it would spoil the lines. I don't know of a rule to have it outside.

Hi Stephen,

The new BIVA test, which is effectively in force has a section that states that the fuel filler must not be in a luggage or engine compartment......

I'm hoping that I don't have to go for the test, but I'm building the requirements while I have the chance...just in case ! So I'll have seatbelts with mounts at the correct heights and mounting points, seats with headrests, (MX5, Miata) etc etc

Page 40

14.
Fuel tank filling points must not be located in the passenger compartment, luggage compartment or within an engine compartment.

http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/repository/IVA%20inspection%20manual%20for%20M1%20passenger%20Cars%20V3.pdf

I was able to put the 14 gal. size in the '82 IM. I bit snug, but all cleared.

GG

Hi Gerry, I knew about the seat belt height requirement but the way past that was temporary high anchor points, that we changed out straight after the test - I had the SVA test. Also changed the steering wheel, the clock etc etc.

Hi Stephen,

My shoulder mounts will be "adjustable" as well and I have a spare steering wheel...I'd be really interested in talking to you regarding your SVA experiences....The new test is not radically different from SVA, (though the cost is now around

Hi Mike,

"You could mount it there or do it the old Porsche way on the wheel well(fender)"

Any pics of the location used? (or are you talking about 911 location??) The fill point on the stock beetle tank is already fairly high, not sure where the filler would sit.

Cheers
Gerry

"The new BIVA test, which is effectively in force has a section that states that the fuel filler must not be in a luggage or engine compartment...... "

Mount your spare tire/wheel in the front boot. Then show that it's impossible to fit any luggage there...

gn

"Mount your spare tire/wheel in the front boot. Then show that it's impossible to fit any luggage there... "

I thought of closing off all the space under the hood with a sheet of ply, leaving only the filler neck showing......Not sure that it would pass...

UPDATE:

I got hold of a later beetle lank thats designed for an external filler, turned it around so that the filler neck is pointing to the passenger side, (my car is LHD). With that, there is not really sufficient space for the filler to exit through the inner fender and up through the top of the fender.

Also, the "hump" on the underside of the tank is in the wrong place...So I moved the tank down a couple of inches...Easier said than done ! Involved making some holes in the inner fender.

Now all I need is the courage to chop a neat hole in the fender, like the attached pic of the pink speedie.., and make up an unobtrusive flap.

Pics to follow