September 2013 & it was time to start removing the remaining fuel line & tank. The fuel cap, grommet and neck were removed and put aside. The corroded screw fit cap will be replaced with a NOS locking cap, which was an optional extra. The rubber filler pipe simply fell apart when removed.
The tank sits in a well on the passenger side of the boot. The straps that hold it in place are clamped using a coach bolt & nut. The fuel pipe exits the sender and passes through a hole in the boot. It was supposed to have a grommet, but that was missing. A photo was taken to remind me of the electrical connections to the sender unit. With the straps to one side, the tank could be lifted out. It still held a quantity of varnish like 40 year old 4 star and red ex.
The sender unit was removed to allow internal inspection of the tank. It looked sound so I set to work on the outside. The tank is supposed to sit on a matt, but that was missing as was a grommet that sealed a drain hole in the bottom of the well. With the bottom of the tank periodically attacked by damp, corrosion was notable. As cleaning progressed it soon became clear that fuel had seeped through the corrosion. Options on a viable repair were considered. My brother was restoring the Lomax 223 and had a stainless tank made. I decided this was a much better option and took the old tank with a new sender unit off to Northampton to Jay Wolfe. After stinking the train out a walk to the fabricators saw a quick set of measurements taken and a price agreed. The old tank could be kept as a future pattern & when finished I would come and pick up the new one.
A length of marine grade filler pipe was thrown in, so that won't be falling apart ! The tank is flat sided, which makes up for the missing indents and curves. The sender unit seemed to be difficult to fit and is orientated slightly differently to the original. Also the sender is affixed to the tank by studs as opposed to bolts. This minimises the risk of any seepage through threads. A neoprene gasket completes the longevity.
Although the boot is full of period rubbish & parts, a test fit was in order to ensure everything lines up. A coat of black paint will also be in order to help it blend in.