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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Fuel tank Capacity

Hi, I'm trying to find the capacity of the midget fuel tank. I've been told they vary from 5 1/2 gal to 7 gal and the 7 gal will only fit a rubber bumper model.
I believe NRP8Z = 6 1/2 gal and NRP9Z = 5 1/2 gal.

Any advice would be very welcome.




Peter King

Fill 5 litre jerry can with petrol
Place in boot
Drive car until it runs out of petrol
Add jerry can
Drive to nearest petrol station
Fill up to brim and take note of volume of petrol used
This plus 5 litres should give you pretty much capacity.
Oggers

Thanks Oggers, Maybe not made myself perfectly clear on what I'm after.As the car is used for rallying and is thirsty I'm looking for the largest tank available.
The 1500 are 7 gallon that may do but it depends on the depth of the tank although there is a tank guard fitted.My alternative would be made of alloy but then I have to do away with a gauge. I'm told the NRP8Z is 61/2 gallon and the NRP9Z is 5 1/2 gallon. Speaking to stockist some don't know which is which and of course no stock in the UK. Unless anyone out there got a good one they want to sell.
Peter King

I just went on the Moss online catalogue and it says that NRP9Z is 6 gallons. Another one as fitted to late 1500s is NRP1199 at £264, which is more than twice as much as NRP9Z, so maybe that is the 7 gallon one. It does not state the capacity of NRP8Z, but sadly they are all on back order.
Bernie.
b higginson

I once bought a later larger tank and while it was supposed to be 7.5 gallons the most I got in it was 6.3 gallons.

It's probably possible to have a gauge neck section made in aluminium but I suppose you'd need several people wanting such a tank (I'd be one of them).
Daniel

I know someone who paid the extra shipping costs to get a larger size tank sent over from the States. Only it wasn't larger when it arrived. It's just their gallons are smaller! 🤣
GuyW

The late 1500 Midget has a different rubber hose between tank and filler tube. Maybe that is the only difference?
You could probably increase the capacity by sealing all the holes and use a foot pump to expand it a bit? Just a thought.
Rob
MG Moneypit

The rumour was that (some?) late 1500's had a slightly deeper tank to take advantage of the higher ride height compared to the earlier cars that had to comply with a minimum ground clearance stipulated by certain countries (or states?) However at the same time they were required to have an in-built expansion facility which in effect negated the apparent increase in capacity. Or so I understand
GuyW

The 1500 did have a different rubber tube. It extra bends in it to clear the girders in the boot which supported the rubber bumpers.

Although it hadn’t occurred to me before, I wonder if the tank neck on the 1500 was repositioned, which might explain why the tanks wouldn’t be interchangeable.
Dave O'Neill 2

I've since found a company in Bootle Merseyside who made a tank for a friends race Midget. Speaking to him today he said he could me me a copy but with an increased capacity. Maybe not able to have a fuel gauge but there will be a way round that.
Peter King

If the issue with a fuel tank sensor is the swinging arm and anti slosh foam then you can get sensors which are tubular and IIRC have a float in the tube that runs up and down a resistance wire so the foam would only require a hole in the appropriate location and suitable mounting in the tank top.
David Billington

Peter

Your use of the definitive article was definitely meant to be indefinate.
Oggers

This is the sort of thing I've seen used before in foam filled tanks https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383861356683 . I would have expected someone doing motorsport tanks to be aware of them or is there another reason for them not wanting to fit a fuel sensor.
David Billington

The (Canadian) 6 (UK/Imperialist) gallon tanks do not hold 6 gallons I can tell you that for certain, many times over.

Info from MGOC Spares website -

Petrol tank- 1500 NRP1199
Deeper capacity 7 Gallon tank, only suitable for rubber bumper Midget 1500
NB NRP8Z reproduction 72 on tank is suitable although tank capacity reduced.

NRP8Z -
Tank capacity = 5.83 imperial gallons or 25.5 Litres
Depending on year it may be necessary to bend the sender float arm to compensate for reduced capacity

NRP9Z -
Tank capacity = 5.83 imperial gallons or 25.5 Litres
Depending on year it may be necessary to bend the sender float arm to compensate for reduced capacity.

https://www.mgocspares.co.uk/acatalog/MGOC_SPARES_FUEL_TANK__MIDGET__183.html#l21
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 11/10/2021 and 12/10/2021

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