Aluminium fuel tank in a Live Axle series 3 - advice needed

[Sammy7]

I'm thinking of replacing my old steel petrol tank in a late 70's live axle car with a Caterham 73037 aluminium fuel tank. This fits in the same mountings as the original but is approx 3" lower and I'm concerned the outlet pipe will foul on the axle bracing. Does anyone know if the 73037 tank works as a direct replacement in a live axle car?

[elie boone]

If the distance of the outlet fuel pipe to the axle bracing is greater than the distance from your wheel to the rear wing you will be fine. i have seen alloy fuel tanks on short cockpit chassis but i don't know if this is the 73037 fuel tank.

[Sammy7]

Thanks elie, great suggestion. The top of the tyre to underside of wing is 150 mm and axle bracing to outlet pipe is 157 mm. For reference my tyres are 185/70R13.

I also measured the shock absorber stem length between the top of the cylinder and the bump stop which comes in close to 110 mm which I think is the max the axle could actually travel so I'm going to be fine with the 73037 fuel tank. Thanks Paul.

[rj]

Just a wild guess, but wouldn't the parts department know the definite answer? They usually tend to be very helpful.

[elie boone]

From experience, parts department is very help full     if   they can find it on their computer.

[ncm]

According to my 1990 parts listing, 73037 is "fuel tank,all chassis ( aluminium )". At that time CC were producing live axle cars in both short (original) and long cockpit form which would suggest that it would fit in your car.

 

Brian.

[rj]

Elie,

My point of contact is more helpful than what you suggest. They will bend over backwards to answer my odd questions.

 

[Red LineComponents]

Paul.

Glad it worked out as expected. Will add it to the Redline knowledge base.

Chris