Fuel Tanks again.

I know this has been covered at least once before. But...
I'm getting tired of the 8 gallon gas tank.
Who has installed a larger gas tank in their Vintage Speedster?
Which one did you use?
What alterations to the car (if any) were necessary to get it installed?
Did you alter the filler, or is there a tank that already has the short filler neck?(Has anyone found a nicer gas cap than the Tractor looking one supplied by Vintage?)
How did you plumb the breather (did you use a one way walve?)
What did you do about the fuel gage sending unit?
Is there a sending unit that works, with the vintage supplied guage?
(Mine never did work right).

Any details, part numbers, or suppliers you used to get this accomplished (with good quality part) is appreciated.

Thanks,
Greg B.

Greg,

You might try John Steele at JPS. He installed a 13 gallon tank in mine. He had to cut a round hole in the underside of the trunk liner to get the neck and gas cap to fit but you can't tell from the outside. One word of caution. He installed the sending unit with a rubber or neoprene gasket and those serated washers. Mine leaked from the sending unit as had another owner that had the same tank installed. He solved it with a cork gasket and teflon or nylon washers. John Steele is sending me both so I can be leak free. Yes the larger tank is a definate plus when touring!

Bruce

CIP-1 has the larger 16 tanks, But If you really want a big one.I seem to recall someone here getting a custom one made in Florida even larger.
To my understanding 80 liter is the biggest tank that they used in the real ones. I haven't got a clue what that would convert to in gallons.
(Message Edited 10/12/2003 4:22:13 PM)

That's about 22 US gallons.

Cheers

Greg, I'm having a custom aluminum tank built for my CMC. It'll hold about 14 gallons. I'm expecting to have it in a week or two. I'll post some pictures, etc. Once I actually have it.

I may be mistaken, but I think Jim Ward installed a larger gas tank. Eddie

15 or 16 gallons is a reasonable size; if you get 28 mpg on the highway that will give you a nominal cruising range of 420 to 448 miles. Not much point in carring more fuel than that. A 13 gallon tank would give 354 miles and a little more usable trunk space for soft luggage.

I did. 14 Gal from Cal Pac. Piece o cake. just mark on inner hood section where to trim. Then use touch up paint to clean up. Got all my gaskets and stuff from them too. Zero glitches, and now I can make a nice trip without having that guage waving 100 miles into it.

Jim

Jim,
Maybe a stupid question, but who/what/where is Cal Pac.?

Hey George, you think that you're going to get 28 mpg with your new motor?

Ron

Frank,

Question away, that's what this forum is for! California Pacific is a major parts source. They bought J-Bugs a couple of years ago... they are located in Oceanside, CA 800-231-1784, local 760-722-2535 They claim theirs is 16 gal in the catalog, but I bought what appears to be the same from them, rated at 14 Gal. I am sure they are on the web.

Other sources are CIP1 in Blaire Washington, www.cip1.com , 800-313-3811. They claim to have a 16 Gal tank.

Rocky Mountain Motor works calls it 16..... motorworks.com 800-258-1996

Bugpack and Scat both call it a 15 Gal. Bpack 714-979-4990 both are on web, then there's Kymco, Chirco, The Real Source, yada.

I was browsing old catalogs here and was amazed at what all different capacities this (same) oversized tank is rated at. Some call it 15, others 16! I was sold this tank as 14 (plus reserve). And the guys getting it at JPS call it 13..... For what I know (not much) I assume that this is the same tank... appears the same, priced the same, yada. I'd call John Steele for clarification.

Jim
(Message Edited 10/13/2003 7:09:46 PM)

And is it Canadian or American gallons? I believe there is about a 20% difference.
Ron

My custom aluminum tank is scheduled to ship this week. If everything fits right, I'll have a 16 gallon(approx.) tank for sale - real cheap. I need the room in my garage.

The fuel tank that everyone seems to be selling has a 13 gallon capacity. I got mine at SoCal Imports (aka Type 1 Only) for $90

Weren't there actually two different oversize tanks? I've seen ads for the "Long Ranger" or something like that, but it seems to fit behind he rear sear in a standard bug. I've never even driven a standard bug, so call me neophyte.

If you want more range out of a tank of gas simply alter the sender unit in the tank. VS sells their cars with a ten gallon tank however the tank sits at an angle compared to the stock Beetle thus the sender will read the tank empty when in fact it has a couple gallons left. I used to fill my tank around six gallons or so before I did this mod, it's simple and doesn't cost a cent to do. Just take the sender out of the tank and bend the arm that has the float attached to it, drive it for a while till shes almost empty then fill up and see how many gallons you've added. Keep doing this till you get the sender to read empty when in fact you still have about a half gallon left. The only thing to be carefull about is making sure you simply don't run out of gas completely while your doing this.

Another way to get more range out of your car is to add an O2 sensor setup so you can get the carbs to run a little less rich, this alone will save cash with the expense of gas these days.

J-P

jeff, let me know when your cleaning your garage.
bruceyoung5@aol.com

I definatly wish to see pics of this custom fuel tank. I would like to get a new one made for my Veep dune buggy with the intent to make room for rear seating .

Lose the keg. and have a bigger tank

Does anyone know if an oem/Porsche 356 tank will fit into a replica Speedster? Intermecchanica secifically. Any mods that need/can be done to make it fit?

Glenn,

I am sure it can be done, in fact a buddy and me talked about doing just that.

I say forget the tank and slap those Randars on! Maybe a little NOS?

P-

I Ordered the replacement tank offered by CIP1.com.
To make a long story short, I ends up being an 8 gallon tank (which is exactly the same as the tank that came in my VS Speedster).
In their catalog the tank's price was 49.95
It cost an extra $20 for box charge (what ever that is as it was shipped in the box that CIP1 gets them in from BRAZIL, CHINA or whereever) and it'll probably cost at least that to send it back, so It looks like I eat this one, as they've already refused to pay for shipping if I return it.
Anyone know where I can get a true "replacement" tank for an early bug. The one that's 10.5 gallons?

Greg B

Greg- Try contacting eirther Type 1 Only (formerly SoCal Imports) in Long Beach, CA or Kustom 1 in Orange, CA they both have the 13 gallon fuel tank. But if you're dead set on getting the oem 10 gallon tank, I can sell you a used one for $30 + shipping from San Diego, CA

Dumb ? - Do these replacement tanks have to be modified? My CMC manual has instructions for cutting off original nexk and welding over it -- then rewelding neck to other side. Would like to avoid all that welding on even an old tank due to gas fumes and possible incomplete weld and leakage.

Greg:

Those CMC instructions are for using a stock tank out of a VW Beetle. A replacement tank won't give you this problem . . . as long as you give them proper clearance dimensions. After all, they are making it to your specs.

I just got a CP1 fuel tank 16 Gal. and their recomended screw on lid and installed it in my CMC. I pushed down around and on the neck a little so it would not touch the hood. I now have 1/4 inch to spare.

Ken ,
Can you take a couple of photos and post them. I'd like to see how much of the trunk area is used up by gas tank.
Thanks,
Greg B.

Installed the 15 gallon tank I had lying around. Easier than it seems. 3 inch hole saw and drum sander on a drill did the trick.

Yes, for me also, it was a very simple and pleasing upgrade...

had custom aluminum tank built for my Beck, 15 gals and fits fine, not cheap but worth it if you are going to take anykind of long trip.

Jerry