MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Fuel Tank Replacement

While I was under the car the other day doing the brakes I noticed that it was a bit damp around the sender unit - I had just refuelled to the top. My tank is a bit battered and bruised along the underside from its previous racing/sporting life etc in the USA. Once I get the fuel level down to repair the seepage I am thinking it's an opportune time to replace the tank. Any recommendations for suppliers, such as Metal Mickey? Anyone to avoid?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve

I suspect Michael is the supplier of tanks to most of the other retailers. They certainly look Ok but I have never tried to fit one.

I replaced the sender unit seal recently with one of those from Peter Edney, initial impressions are that its a better solution than the original.

http://mg-parts.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=2482

Regards...JB
John Bray

John

Thanks for the tip about the seal That looks the source of that small problem. The unit itself is fine. Never caused any issues.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi Steve,
Yes, definitely Metal Mickey for the tank. Go Stainless whilst at it and use Peter Edney's seal.

regards
Colin
Colin Manley

Thanks Colin. Already ordered the seal. Got a pink chit for the afternoon so off for a run to get some wire to do the indicator modification.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve
I bought a m/s tank from Heathrow Services at MG Silverstone the other year. Dimensionally spot on (using original straps as a guide to the shape and measured around the strap circumference and compared to my original) it also includes the internal baffles, drain plug and strap locating clips. Not used it yet as car is still under restoration. I would guess it was of far eastern origin.
Mark
Mark Dollimore

I'm interested in the stainless tank... Anybody here who has one installed, who can comment as to fit and quality? I bought a seal from Moss that looks a lot like the linked one, is supposed to be made of viton, and resistant to modern pseudo-gas.

-Del
D Rawlins

Steve

My existing tank looks fine externally and has no leaks but has been shedding fine rust particles inside for some time. It looks like it might be an original tank or an OEM replacement. We only use this car for long Continental trips (e.g. we did the Route des Grandes Alpes in June this year, two MGAs) so I don't hesitate to replace a suspect critical part and this tank is now due for replacement.

I studied various tank suppliers on-line and was not happy with most of what I saw, especially weld quality on some of the non-mild-steel tanks. Then I came across this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4ssRz4X8bk and found it convincing.

(Google "YouTube moss mga tank" if the link doesn't work.)There is also a product note with similar information, "Supplemental Information & Instructions for 456-800 or AHH5121 Fuel Tank" on the Moss Motors USA website.

After speaking with my usual contact at Moss Bradford, I learned that Moss had supplied eight of these tanks to the respected MGA expert in Pontefract. That decided me and I placed an order. This morning the tank arrived, very well packed in a sturdy carton. It looks just superb, and as good as the Moss product manager says in the YouTube video. Not expensive either.

If you would like to take a look at it before it is fitted, let me know. I am in East Horsley, maybe not far from you.

Mike Card
M D Card

Mike

Would you believe it, just this minute got back home from Dorking. I came through East Horsley!

Thanks for the offer. I presume you are aware there is a Moss at the north end of the M3 (about 15 minutes from the M3/M25 intersection?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Something strange happening here Steve, my car seems to be developing all the faults that come up on this forum.

My stainless steel fuel tank (7 years old) appears to have developed a split somewhere on the top.
I lost about a couple of pints when I tried to fill up just after leaving MGA Day.

I will be taking it off shortly and then I hope to find someone brave enough to weld it up for me. Keep an eye on the news for any mention of a mushroom cloud over Doncaster.

Then I read the "MGA losing power" thread and my car immediately developed a misfire caused by a partially blocked fuel filter.

I just hope that next, someone posts about "Free Superchargers"! Now I would just love one of those!

Let me know what you do about your tank Steve, most likely I will end up buying a new one too.

Colyn

PS Guess what, now the speedometer has just stopped working! I must have missed that post! :-)
c firth

Steve

Perhaps next time you visit Dorking ..
Yes I know that Moss near the M3 but order from Bradford due to a long relationship.

Now pumping out the old tank prior to removing it.

Mike
M D Card

Mike

There are always ulterior motives in my visits to Dorking - the vinyard!

I am still awaiting the new sender gasket from Peter Edney, ordered over two weeks ago and apparently despatched a week ago. Bit disappointed with the slow progress. I got 24 delivery on other MGA requirements from SVC ordered at the same time.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve, All

Just fitted my new Moss fuel tank, and found that it went in without a problem. Guides for the tank support straps were in the right place, the filler neck position and angle were correct, the outlet fitting was in the same place as my old tank, and the sender/sensor holes were the correct 3BA.

As I have done previously, I used the cork gasket and Blue Hylomar sealant on the sensor.

Steve, Next time you sample the Dorking vintage, and if you have a few minutes spare, stop by on your way past. 01483 283215.

Mike
M D Card

Mike

Can I ask is it the stainless or mild steel one?

Paul
Paul Dean

Colyn wrote:

> My stainless steel fuel tank (7 years old) appears to
> have developed a split somewhere on the top.

That's disappointing. Thank you for the info. Guess I'll go with the Moss tank; I haven't read of any complaints about the current version. Shipping is gonna be a bitch, as usual with the large items.

-Del
D Rawlins

Paul
It was the mild steel tank that I bought from Moss. Very nice product.
Have not put fuel in it yet, but understand that it has been pressure tested as part of the manufacturing QA.
Mike
M D Card

I followed Mike's positive comments about the Moss steel fuel tank and my new one arrived an hour ago. Initial impression is that it is a quality product. It arrived 22 hours after placing the order with their Bradford branch, which says something about their logistic supply. The tank was extremely well packed. The 3 page document inside explains the manufacturing process and fitting instructions. I have examined it very closely and the manufacturing quality is excellent - beautifully finished. Galvanised and painted finish. All welds smooth. Reinforced sender unit aperture. I don't think this is a 'Chinese' job! let's hope that the fitting goes well. From what Mike said, it should just slot in.

So, in summary, Well done Moss on this occasion. keep it up.

Steve


Steve Gyles

In the rush to get everything ready for the Lands End John o Groats trip and then with my wife Chris breaking her leg just as we arrived at Lands End for the start, I seem to have forgotten to let you all know about the cause of my stainless steel tanks problems.
(apologies if I have already posted about this)

When we took the tank off I expected to see a pinhole or maybe a fatigue tear somewhere near the fuel filler tube.

What I didn't expect to see was that almost all of the welds in the top of the tank were rusted through!

It appears that all of the welds on my tank were welded using mild steel welding rods! So seven years on, even though my car has never been anywhere near any salted roads, the welds have rusted away and the tank is scrap!

So I bought a Moss tank too Steve and it is a really good piece of kit. It is beautifully finished, fits perfectly and looks identical to an OE tank whereas the stainless tank was nothing like it.

It certainly looks like it will last longer than 7 years!

Colyn
c firth

Good to hear about your thoughts on the tank Colyn; sorry to hear about the broken leg. Hope your wife is on the way to recovery. I am taking the opportunity to clean up the tank bay area before I refit. The rubber gasket on the boot floor that seals the filler neck had perished so that is on order.

Moss say in their blurb that their new tanks (new supplier) should last as long as the originals, which is 57 years in my case. Should outlast me then!

Steve
Steve Gyles

Colyn, -- Did you get a picture of the "rusted" stainless steel tank? It would make a good tech session, and advice for the leery. Who was the supplier?
barneymg

I have a Moss UK stainless tank from about 25 years ago installed on my MGB GT. Still looks like brand a new tank! I was considering an early MGB tank (almost identical to an MGA tank) for my other B but now I'm thinking twice.

Has anyone used an MGA tank from Sports Car Metal Works? I've heard good things, and had a pleasant chat with the owner once.
Steve Simmons

Sorry Barney
I was in such a hurry to get the car ready for the Lands End John-o-Groats trip that I took the easiest and quickest option and took my car to James at Bob Wests (which is about 10 miles away from where I live) to be fixed.
I did see the old stainless tank when I collected the car and I saw that pretty much all of the welded seams on the top of the tank were really rusty and it was obviously not salvageable. In my hurry I just didn't think to take a picture of it.

I will ask if the tank is still available to view but I think that it will probably now be in someones scrapyard.

I have been told that it was not a Moss tank but I dont really know who actually made it as it was on my car when I bought it, although I do have my suspicions.

So if you do have a stainless steel tank it may be well worth looking at the top of it to see if it has any similar problems.

Colyn
c firth

Colin

I know of a Judson for sale for 1000 GBP. Needs a refurb, but nothing too difficult

Dominic
dominic clancy

Tank went in ok. I found that the filler tube did not line up exactly symmetrical with the floor pan hole but was within acceptable limits. Bit of a job sealing up the sender unit even with the new rubber gasket and new screw set. The seal was ok, but the petrol seeped through one or two of the new screws. Bit of gasket gunge on the threads eventually sorted but not before the garage stank of fuel overnight.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve, would you happen to know whether the threads in the new tank for the sending unit mount screws are the original type BA thread form, or did they use something else?

Del?
D Rawlins

Del

As far as I know they are original. However, when I bought the new seal I also bought new screws. The new screws were not specifically listed for the new tank so I assume they were the correct ones for an original spec tank.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Thanks.
D Rawlins

Stainless welding is tricky. Assuming the welder has used the correct welding rod, they almost always use the correct rods, no matter what they are welding. For those who are interested. Prep must be done religiously, just like aluminum welding, but with SS it is all about what you do after the weld. When the rod and SS heat up the SS looses a layer of chromium. It needs to be thoroughly wire brushed, sanded, or whatever, so that all the blue is gone at the least. For places like inside a tank there are any number of acid type mixtures to slosh or soak. Some places do not wire brush or sand on the outside and just throw it into the acid tank. If they know what they are doing, its no problem. There are also methods of current testing to ensure everything had been taken care of. It takes a lot of practice in doing the same thing, sometimes, to get it right. But the testing should be the first thing a shop invests in if they are new to SS.
N Tesla

This thread was discussed between 25/07/2015 and 18/11/2015

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.