M3 Fuel Tank Cover Question

[Andrew Rowe]

Would any one have the dimensions of the fuel tank cover , mainly the length of it, ( 1165mm?)and how does the bottom tray attach to the cover. Is this all one piece that the fuel tank sits in, including the cover , or is this bottom box a separate unit, it has folded up sides about 2 1/2" high, but my old one seems to have the same dimensions as the fuel tank itself, bearing in mind that there is 1/4" packing timber that goes down the sides, so the dimensions of the cover has allowed for the timber, but the tray at the bottom has not?? Are you confused yet? Some photos of this cover and tray would be really great, Thanks.

[drcowie]

Andrew - have cover for one side still in my shed ! Can get dimensions for you.
Sheet metal tray is tight fit on tank bottom. My have some original timber linings to check length but stopped short of tray.

[Andrew Rowe]

Thanks Des, following on from your feed back and from more investigation, the length should be about 1185mm and the timbers are 42 1/2" long, and stop on top of the tray. I conclude that the tray is a separate item and as you say a tight fit on the fuel tank and then you would slide the whole lot down the hole and then push the side packers in , until they touch the top of this tray.
Just thinking out loud.

[drcowie]

Yes Andrew - cover is 1180mm long & timber packers are 1080 long.
A tight fit to get tank in !!

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[Douglas Greville]

Originally Posted by drcowie

Yes Andrew - cover is 1180mm long & timber packers are 1080 long.
A tight fit to get tank in !!

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AND an even tighter fit after 40 years, plus rust and dirt, which makes getting the fuel tanks out not fun.

Usually the tray stays behind, so then you have the issue of trying to retrieve
it from the bottom of a 4' well that is only roughly 12" x 18" wide.
Mine were rusty, but still in one piece - what a nightmare to remove!
Luckily I had good spares.

Not to mention the original sloshing compound turning to the most awful black
gunk that is almost impossible to remove from the inside of the fuel tank.

In Aussie heat, it all collects at bottom of tank over the years, blocking the
fuel outlet.

I had to cut the top off my tanks to get access to the inside.

The explosion preventer cylindrical baffles/filler tubes are a lovely piece of metal work. Treat them with care as they are delicate.

Regards
Doug
www.owningtanks.com