BN1 hard line fuel tank pickup thread?

[PSJ]

Hello all! I was helping my dad install a replacement fuel tank in his BN1 today; and we had a hard time getting the hard line fuel pickup threaded onto the fitting on the tank. We measured carefully, and I think we've determined that the thread size is 1/4 NPT; we're going to get both a tap and a die so that we can clean up the threads on the tank and the hard line fitting. Then we'll get back to the task of lining up the two parts . . . don't want to cross-thread!

Any particular comments or feedback? Does that sound like the correct thread to you? I know on my MG's, getting hard lines threaded in correctly can be difficult, so I'm not too surprised that this hard line is a little finicky.

Thanks in advance for your input and comments!

Phil

 

[Keoke]

HI Phil,

There were some replacement tanks that had incorrect
fittings on them. I do not recall if this was a universal
problem or unique to a certain supply source.
However, there should be some information on this problem
in the archives of this forum===Fwiw--Keoke

 

[shorn]

Having recently pulled and replaced my fuel tank on my BJ8, I can attest that getting the pipe nut started on the pickup was difficult. There is very little slack to allow the nut to grab the first thread. With the tank out of the car, I placed a 2 X 4 on the front end of the tank and GENTLY hit it the 2 X 4 with a hammer just enough to slightly push in the front of the tank to allow a little extra room. Don't hit it hard or or on the seams or you will cause a leak. This is not an ideal solution, but it is how I ended up getting the pickup threaded.

 

[PSJ]

Thanks guys! I'll do some more research, and keep the hammer as an option . . . . carefully!

Phil

 

[Keoke]

Having recently pulled and replaced my fuel tank on my BJ8, I can attest that getting the pipe nut started on the pickup was difficult. There is very little slack to allow the nut to grab the first thread. With the tank out of the car, I placed a 2 X 4 on the front end of the tank and GENTLY hit it the 2 X 4 with a hammer just enough to slightly push in the front of the tank to allow a little extra room. Don't hit it hard or or on the seams or you will cause a leak.

This is not an ideal solution,
but it is how I ended up getting the pickup threaded.

On the other hand you can not argue with success-HUH-- :laugh:

Keoke

 

[Healeysince59]

Go back to Keokes first answer. There were quite a few tanks built with the wrong fittings and sold by a number of suppliers. I got a new one with my BN1 basket case and it had a sticker from a supplier in Connecticut. This write up pretty well covers it.

https://www.vintage-sportscar-touring.ca/technical/gastanks.html

Marv J

 

[Duane_Rhynard]

Phil,

Moss Motors has an excellent article on gas tank installation including tips on connecting the line to the tank detailed on lines 318-321. The link is attached below.

Duane
‘58 BN6

https://www.mossmotors.com/graphics/products/PDF/021-800.pdf

 

[PSJ]

Thanks guys! I am quite impressed - this information is helpful and timely!

I really appreciate your assistance in helping us get ready for success. Those links are terrific. We'll be working on it over the next couple weeks, and I'll let you know if we find anything interesting.

Thanks again!

Phil

 

[PSJ]

Well, here's an update that things are still in process . . .

After a great deal of discussion and review, my Dad and I put the old gas tank back in (so he could go to a meet next weekend). My Dad undertook a correspondence with Moss, to validate the thread on the replacement tank. After a few exchanges, it turns out that Moss originally thought they had a problem - but then, after checking with the supplier, confirmed that the correct (BSPP?) fitting was used. They examined the tanks they had in stock and found that they had paint/overspray on the threads, which could explain the difficulty we had with installation. They are sending my Dad a (loaner) tap to clean the threads, and then we'll try it again.

My Dad said he was very happy with their diligent attention to detail, so that is good.

I'll keep you posted!

Phil