Dart fuel tank wanted

[morini_tom]

Anybody got a good, not leaking fuel tank for sale?

My fibreglass repro has succumbed to dodgy fuel so I'm off the road until I can find a tank!

Hoping for a solution before Cadwell/AGM/MRC rally weekend...

Tom

[Tom]

My Dart 400 tank is made of pure plastic, i think they are ok with modern Ethanol, what happend to yours?

[morini_tom]

The usual problem with dart fuel tanks (standard plastic ones) is that they begin to leak from around the moulded insert for the air filter and fuel tap. Over tightening of the mounting screws or using too long a screw which then punctures the tank.

I have 3 original dart tanks and they all leak in the same place! The MRC had fibreglass tanks made 10 years or so ago, which were a very strong, perfect solution, made by one of the best tank builders in the industry. Sadly, he is no longer with us, and the ethanol in fuel today means the fibreglass is attacked. You can now build tanks using a resistant resin, or line the tank with a sealant, but it is too late for my tank!!

[Tom]

Yes this is the familiar sound of recognition, my plastic tank was leaky also. Thought is was the rubber fuel tap seal, but after close inspection and trying different seals, it seemed to be leacking from behind the screws, they punctured the tank. Fixed it with two component glue, never had a problem since.
Good luck with your seach.

Tom

[hombre]

There's one on the German forum selling a Freccia in parts. I don't know if the tank is the same, but it might worth while
http://ital-web.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6623

[morini_tom]

Hi Hombre,

Thanks for the heads up.

Unfortunately a freccia tank won't fit a dart (well, my 501 at least- the rear cylinder head touches the bottom of the tank and the upper tank mount needs lowering by an inch or so, and there just isn't room to do that with a 501 engine in place! Possibly on a 350 dart it could be done if you remove the airbox.

Thanks anyway.

In the meantime I have plastic welded and covered in epoxy but I think it will be only a temporary fix. Still hopeful of finding a good tank somewhere...

[EVguru]

Apart from anything else, the front mount is totally different on the Freccia. It's a welded in cross tube between the rails, whilst it's a bolt on cross tube above the rails on the Dart.