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MG MGB Technical - Fuel tank pickup question

I have a problem with a clogged or a hole in my in tank pickup tube. It is a '70 BGT with the original tank. I would like to try to use the later sender unit with the integral pickup tube. I have checked the archives and see I would need to turn the float around but understand this solution will not work if the tank is baffled. When my tank was removed/cleaned/coated I did notice a seperation type of wall in there about the middle of the tank. Does anyone know if this tank is baffled or can I use this later setup?
Mike
MK Mike

If it was about the middle then it should be way clear of the sender, which only goes in a few inches, a baffle should fit quite closely round the sender or it isn't going to reduce gauge fluctuation, at least. In 1970 North American tanks gained a capacity limiting chamber, perhaps it is this you saw. I understand if the baffle and original pick-up are bodged out of the way the later sender with pickup can be fitted, the sender arm may also need to be bent a bit.
Paul Hunt 2

Paul
I believe mine was in the center of the tank and ran front to back with a round hole in it so fuel could flow thru,maybe a support structure. So if this is not a baffle I should be able to use the later sender?. Someone posted the new pickup line sits hard against the old pickup tube and the float should be removed and mounted on the other side of it's arm as to not hang up on the old tube. I'd like to give it a go if I can get away with it.
Mike
MK Mike

Some MGB's got baffles and some didn't. The early ones did, but may have had their tanks replaced after all this time. The later ones? seems to be random.
The only way to tell is look.
Run your tank down to at least two thirds empty, jack up the RH side,take off the wheel, place axle stand and remove the sender.
It is held in place with a large round clip/ring that rotates anti clockwise to undo.
Insert a probe.
This would be a good opportunity to check the condition of your tank. They make new tanks in Canada so they should not be too expensive for you. They are around $300 in Australia.
If the car isn't mobile, you can buy 20 liter plastic jerry cans quite cheaply.
You may have to recalibrate your gauge with the new sender. That's quite easy to do. There are a couple of adjusting slots on the back of the gauge to set either end of the scale, empty/full. These may have cork plugs in them (some do some don't).
Peter Sherman

Peter
Thanks for the info. I wanted to try this because I removed my tank early last spring, March here and did a complete clean, etch and seal with the Por 15 tank kit. I even blew compressed air into the p/u tube while it was still wet. It turned out very nice but was a killer of a job. So probably the screen/ filter is plugged with rust that did not all come out with the cleaning? that's why I want to give this a try because the inside is in nice shape. I would still be scratching my head trying to figure it out if I had not had the same exact problem with a '79 midget a few years ago. Everything new, carbs, pump, lines, filters. Runs fine in the driveway, revs up, idles beautifully, no problems until it gets on the road under the slightest load and it takes a half hour to get it 2 blocks back home.
Thanks
Mike
MK Mike

I don't know anything about this sealant stuff, but perhaps it has partially coated the little cotton reel sized filter on the end of the tank pick up. That would suit the symptoms of fuel starvation under load. Just lets a trickle through. If this is the case you might be able to hook a wire into it and pull it off. Or a long screw driver and push. At the least make a big hole in it. Its only plastic. Use an external filter just prior to the pump to protect it. If there is one the baffle should be located about 170mm from the inlet.
Getting the reversed float sender in though the hole is a bit of a fiddle, but quite doable. I suggest you might want to tie a cotton thread around the other end of the float in case it gets away from you.

If you do have a baffle you might want to consider putting a pick up line in the existing sender. You can buy a variety of appropriate brass fittings at hydraulic fitting shops. If you have a soldering iron that would do as well.
Good luck with it.
Peter Sherman

This thread was discussed between 13/12/2007 and 14/12/2007

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