Vapor Tank Replacement

HarryD · 04-01-2003, 12:19 PM

This weekend at AutoX one of my competitors noticed that I had liquid dripping out of the front of my car. On examination, it turned out to be Gasoline

. When I inspected, it was coming from the plastic tank in the fender well which has becomce very brittle and chunks have fallen off. Combine that with a full fuel tank (ooops, I know it is not the best for AutoX) and fast turns at AutoX, I managed to get some fuel sloshed into the tank.

I got a replacment tank from a local used parts place but it is for a later model and, naturally, it does not exactly fit where the original goes.

I have a 1973.5 911T and the tank is from a 1988 911.

Any help/suggestions as to how to mount would be appreciated.

TIA

Harry

ccandgc · ccandgc's Garage

HAHAHA!!! ZIP TIES!!!...j/k....try the zip ties-big ones. It'll stay put.

HarryD · 04-01-2003, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ccandgc
HAHAHA!!! ZIP TIES!!!...j/k....try the zip ties-big ones. It'll stay put.

I figured that. I wish I had $0.01 for every zip tie used to retrofit something.

What do I zip tie the tank too?

I figure it needs to be towards the top of the fender and the small hole needs to be at the top and the big hole needs to be at the bottom.

ccandgc · ccandgc's Garage

oh yeah...duh....I dont know what would be around there to zip tie to?
(removing foot from mouth)
Is it too heavy to just let it hang? Mine needs replacing too, so I could use some help too!

HarryD · 04-01-2003, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ccandgc
oh yeah...duh....I dont know what would be around there to zip tie to?
(removing foot from mouth)
Is it too heavy to just let it hang? Mine needs replacing too, so I could use some help too!

Don't get too discouraged. My foot tastes better and better all the time.

What I am thnking of doing is using the wire that wraped around the old tank to hold the zip tie but I do not like the idea of the tank swinging around.

I could go back to the bone yard and see if he has an older one but I figure most of those will be brittle also.

If you need one, contact Gary at Parts Obsolete. He can fix you up. If you were closer, I'd say stop on by, his shop is awesome.

pwd72s · 04-01-2003, 12:52 PM

Are you sure they aren't available as a replacement part from a dealership? This might be one of those times it may be worth the phone call...

HarryD · 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pwd72s
Are you sure they aren't available as a replacement part from a dealership? This might be one of those times it may be worth the phone call...

They are available, $59.00 from Sunset or much much much less from Gary. Besides, if I get the right parts, I can't do any hillbilly enguneering.

If you check my thread on fuel filter replacement, you might get the idea I like this retrofitting stuff.

pwd72s · 04-01-2003, 01:08 PM

OKay, gotcha...hillbilly engineering? How about a length of fuel resistant plastic pipe, say 3" dia.? Roughly match the height of the original plastic tank. Cap both ends, put in fittings at approx. the same points as the original hose locations, then figure out how to mount the darned thing. By the time I'd done all that, I'd be thinking the dealership $59 price was cheap...But then, I'd have missed out on all the fun, right?

keitho64 · keitho64's Garage

Harry

I have the same problem with my 69. Would you, or anyone else, mind posting a picture of how their vapor recovery tank is mounted?

Thanks

HarryD · 04-01-2003, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pwd72s
OKay, gotcha...hillbilly engineering? How about a length of fuel resistant plastic pipe, say 3" dia.? Roughly match the height of the original plastic tank. Cap both ends, put in fittings at approx. the same points as the original hose locations, then figure out how to mount the darned thing. By the time I'd done all that, I'd be thinking the dealership $59 price was cheap...But then, I'd have missed out on all the fun, right?

Right, ya miss the fun.

The replacement tank from Gary was <$20.00. I will build a bracket from some zip ties, aluminum strip and few sheet metal screws, say $10.00 and a few hours of fun. Not a bad deal.

I thought about the pipe deal but my ChemE data shows that PVC and ABS will dissolve so I need to go with Polypropylene which is expensive and hard to work with.

Since I am not working anyway, it keeps my days full.

pwd72s · 04-01-2003, 03:45 PM

Good Job, Harry. FWIW, my original is held in place with a bolted metal strip that fits in the moulded "groove" of the unit.

HarryD · 04-01-2003, 04:08 PM

My original one had a wire around the groove. The new tank is a toally different shape and has no grove but has a "knob" on top and a bolt hole in the bottom. I figure I will take my strip, make a slot at the top to match the knob and a hole to bolt it through. I'll extend the stip down and bend it to meet an exisitng body bolt and fasten it down. I'll then use a zip tie, or two, or three to hold the tank in place.

If I think if it, I'll post a picture or two.

HarryD · 04-01-2003, 05:00 PM

I took some before pictures.

As you can see, the tanks have two very different shapes. The old tank actually molds to the back of the headlamp bucket and uses a band or wire to be held in place. The newer one requires some type of mount and the new tank shape has a top that fits in the top of the fender.

pwd72s · 04-01-2003, 05:28 PM

The old one is like mine. The knob on the new one...looks like there may have been a hole in the headlight bucket of the car, and some kind of fastener designed to fit the knob? Perhaps the knob plugged into the bucket? The bolt hole perhaps lined up with a fender brace or the horn bracket? Know anybody with a newer car who'd let you peek?

HarryD · 04-01-2003, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pwd72s
The old one is like mine. The knob on the new one...looks like there may have been a hole in the headlight bucket of the car, and some kind of fastener designed to fit the knob? Perhaps the knob plugged into the bucket? The bolt hole perhaps lined up with a fender brace or the horn bracket? Know anybody with a newer car who'd let you peek?

That's too easy. I'll just wing it. It's mire fun and a great way to burn up a few hours.

Harry

pwd72s · 04-01-2003, 06:02 PM

OKay...

HarryD · 04-01-2003, 11:22 PM

pwd72s,

Do you ever join us guys in the Oregon PCA chapter for fun? I would sure like to meet you. I tend to do AutoX and Day Tours mostly.

evren · 04-02-2003, 05:08 AM

Or you could replace the tank with a 'discriminator valve' apparently.. here's a link to what RallyJon did:
Fuel Smell/Expansion Tank

HarryD · 12:09 PM

Went and looked at few cars with later tanks. The bellows bumbers seems to have caused a serious rearrangement of suff in this area and I would be unable to duplicate without mucho work.

But... got the replacement tank in. A bit of aluminim stock, some sheet metal screws and a bit of time.... Voila. Almost looks factory

.

keitho64 · keitho64's Garage

Harry,

Thanks for posting the picture it is a huge help!