S1 Fuel Tank Removal

[DreamsOfA47]

Hello, all! Life has conspired against me and currently my only driving car is my 1967 Europa, Wallace! Of course just as I need to be driving Wallace regularly his fuel tank has decided to start leaking! 

How does one remove the original fuel tank? When I purchased my car, I also purchased two aluminum fuel tanks and now seems to be the time to swap them both in and finally set up a twin-tank system. Is it possible to remove the fuel tank with the car assembled or does one have to pull the engine or the body to get the gas tank out of its place?

[TurboFource]

They come out the bottom, which means you have to get the car up in air quite a ways ….

[jbcollier]

Nope, not on an S1.  They come out the top.

It's been awhile but I think you can get a tank out without pulling the engine.

[SwiftDB4]

JB is right it comes out the top on S1. I think you may have to remove intake and exhaust to clear though.

[TurboFource]

Well that makes it easier!

[DreamsOfA47]

Well, JB, I hope that you're right!

Removing the intake and header won't be too difficult a procedure if needed to get the driver's side, 2nd tank in. The gas tank is currently on the RHD (US passenger) side so aside from the opening between the frame and body seeming small, I should be able to get it out, hopefully!

[dakazman]

  Dreams,
     I hope you take plenty of pictures and measurements of the tank once out. Some pictures of the surrounding area would be much appreciated.
 I hope you don't have to drop it out the bottom.
Dakazman

[314159td]

There should be two studs on the bottom of the tank, with nuts on the underside of the body. Correct on right side, it's to balance the driver, which is almost always LHD on an S1.

Mine came out easily with the head off, though muscling the old rubber hose was tricky, I opted to saw it in half and remove the remnants from the filler neck and inlet after removal.

Dakazam, I have my engine and tank out currently if you need dimensions from that area, already did some work to modify a left side tank from a cheap eBay one.

[DreamsOfA47]

Dakazman I can get you whatever you may need if/when I manage to get the tank out. I could get you measurements off of my alloy tank. It’s Made to be a direct replacement.

312159td I hope I can convince mine to come out with my engine together! I do NOT want to pull the head. I would rather just pull the whole engine and trans out together at that point. I guess we’ll have to see how it all goes in the coming weeks…

[dakazman]

There should be two studs on the bottom of the tank, with nuts on the underside of the body. Correct on right side, it's to balance the driver, which is almost always LHD on an S1.

Mine came out easily with the head off, though muscling the old rubber hose was tricky, I opted to saw it in half and remove the remnants from the filler neck and inlet after removal.
https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=6813.75

Dakazman, I have my engine and tank out currently if you need dimensions from that area, already did some work to modify a left side tank from a cheap eBay one.

  At this point, I don't have any tanks for this S1. JB has posted the dimensions to build on but lacked the fill hole dimensions i believe.
 when you're in there it pays to document all of the dimensions so that we can keep these on the road. It also helps members here that can copy the originals supply others. JB has Posted most of the needed dimensions.
 https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=6813.75
   It's just preserving the lifespan of these amazing works of art.
 
Dakazman

[Hachille]

Hello,

This plan should help you. Although there's a slope to the filler pipe that I didn't draw on the plan.
A few more 3D photos.

[My S1]

Just want to liven up your days and give you all someone to laugh at.  I've always been bothered by the haphazard way in which the fuel caps sit on Europas so I took a deep dive into it and nearly drown.  Actually it was a fun exercise and I'm happy with the outcome.  I made a PVC mock-up then butchered the original filler neck and had it re-plated. Call me crazy...I always do.

[TurboFource]

Looks crazy good to me!

[Grumblebuns]

Dakazman I can get you whatever you may need if/when I manage to get the tank out. I could get you measurements off of my alloy tank. It’s Made to be a direct replacement.

312159td I hope I can convince mine to come out with my engine together! I do NOT want to pull the head. I would rather just pull the whole engine and trans out together at that point. I guess we’ll have to see how it all goes in the coming weeks…

Those alloy S1 tanks were made by Steve Veris several years ago when he was doing a production run. He did not have a right side tank for reference so the filler neck orientation was estimated. Once in place you may have to cut and reweld the neck to the proper position.

   

[dakazman]

  Thanks guys, some really good info here for duplication.

 S1, they look perfect.  My S2 was modified to accept a TC cap, I found a EBay sale I couldn’t pass up.
 Dakazman