BritishV8 Forum: Moss Gas Tank

pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

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Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: pspeaks
Date: November 16, 2012 11:51PM

I’m on the verge of ordering a new gas tank for my GT from Moss, but before I do, I thought I’d get your opinion. Is the quality there and will the range be a significant problem? I have the ability and equipment to build a custom tank but I’m not sure with the amount of room I have in the original location it will be worth the amount of fabrication or I’ll gain that much capacity. What do you guys think?

Paul

britcars
Phil Ossinger
New Brunswick, Canada
(346 posts)

Registered:
02/02/2009 07:58PM

Main British Car:
1977 MGB Roadster, Rover 3.5 ADVENTURE BEFORE DEMENTIA!

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: britcars
Date: November 17, 2012 05:38AM

I bought one about six weeks ago from Little British Car Co. for $157.00 plus shipping. Jeff Zorn is a great guy to deal with. Appears to be very good quality, made in Canada by Spectra. The sheet with the tank said that it didn't require paint and appears to be galvanized or zinc coated. I did degrease and paint mine though.
[www.lbcarco.com]

Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4577 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: Moderator
Date: November 17, 2012 07:56AM

Moss offers tanks from two different manufacturers. You can read about the differences between them halfway down in this article: steel MGB fuel tanks. With a capacity of about 12.5 gallons, you'll likely have a cruising range of about 300 miles depending on your fuel efficiency. (In Palestine Texas my fuel efficiency was much less than normal, especially on the autocross day!) Some one gallon fuel cans will fit in a chrome bumper MGB's spare battery box, for a little reserve capacity. If you'd like more range, this is the easiest solution: aluminum 18 gallon MGB fuel tanks.

MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4514 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: MGBV8
Date: November 17, 2012 09:03AM

Quote:
In Palestine Texas my fuel efficiency was much less than normal...

Yes, it was! ;)

kstevusa
kelly stevenson
Southern Middle Tennessee
(985 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 09:37AM

Main British Car:
2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: kstevusa
Date: November 17, 2012 09:10AM

Wow, i just thought the miles in Texas were LONGER than rest of US. :)

ex-tyke
Graham Creswick
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
(1165 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 11:17AM

Main British Car:
1976 MGB Ford 302

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: ex-tyke
Date: November 17, 2012 10:51AM

I installed one of the Spectra tanks last Winter and I can say that the tank size is an exact duplicate of the original (10 Imp, 12 US). Some ads I've seen would lead one to believe it is 12 Imp (14.5 US) which is not correct.
There are no internal baffles, as original, and Spectra have discontinued selling the correct '75-'76 tank with the separate side fuel supply fitting and with the straight vertical filler neck. If you have a car from one of these years, you'll end up buying an pre '75 tank (with the angled fill neck) and using the correct year hose and metal fill pipe arrangement. In my case, since I had centred the fuel tank for dual exhaust, I ended up reworking the fill pipe to match the original.
I've also had one issue with a slight fuel leakage at the side soldered supply fitting - corrected by gas tank repair putty.
Overall, a well made tank for the money.

MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4514 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: MGBV8
Date: November 17, 2012 05:48PM

No baffles?! Now you've opened up a can o' worms.

MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4514 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: MGBV8
Date: November 17, 2012 06:01PM

Quote:
Midget and MGB galvanised fuel tanks
Price: £175-£225

Galvanised fuel tanks are now available from British Motor Heritage dealers for MGBs and Midgets, as well as other British classics. The new tanks are made to the original specification (including baffles where appropriate) on the original press tools, jigs and roller welder. It is the recent major refurbishment of the latter – the machine that creates the all-important seal for the main body of the tank – that has allowed BMH to make the milestone move from unplated steel to the infinitely more corrosion-resistant galvanised stock for these replacement items. BMH also manufactures a competition fuel tank for the MGB that is both baffled and foam filled. For details of all BMH products and dealers, log on to www.bmh-ltd.com. Information on the company’s Motoring Classics retail range of car parts, accessories, personal items can be found at www.motoringclassics.co.uk

[www.mgenthusiast.com]

kstevusa
kelly stevenson
Southern Middle Tennessee
(985 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 09:37AM

Main British Car:
2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: kstevusa
Date: November 17, 2012 06:04PM

:) That is really BAFFLING ! Later models seem to have none from the Factory. Maybe Dot 4 fluid removes paint, but Dot 5 doesn't??? But the Racks can have either Grease or 90W gear lube. STRANGE???

MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4514 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: MGBV8
Date: November 17, 2012 07:00PM

I want baffles! :)

pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: pspeaks
Date: November 18, 2012 07:20AM

I’ve never removed a tank, is the roadster and GT the same? Do I just have to drill new bolt holes in the spare well and deal with the filler and fuel line to center it? Oh, I’ve been driving MG's for almost 45 years so I’ve had to walk on occasion thanks to the little darlings. I don’t know if the miles are longer in Texas, but it sure seems that way :-)

Thanks for all the info guys!!

Paul

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/18/2012 07:30AM by pspeaks.

ex-tyke
Graham Creswick
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
(1165 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 11:17AM

Main British Car:
1976 MGB Ford 302

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: ex-tyke
Date: November 18, 2012 09:27AM

Quote:
is the roadster and GT the same?

Yes! ...and with some tank variation between years (fill necks, supply lines, vent fittings).

Quote:
Do I just have to drill new bolt holes in the spare well and deal with the filler and fuel line to center it?

In simplistic terms, yes! Typical shift is 3" to the left.and also requires some metal finishing on the trunk floor.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/18/2012 09:28AM by ex-tyke.

pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: pspeaks
Date: November 23, 2012 12:30PM

I don't have a trunk but I assume I will still have to modify the floor, what do I have to do to the floor?

Paul

ex-tyke
Graham Creswick
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
(1165 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 11:17AM

Main British Car:
1976 MGB Ford 302

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: ex-tyke
Date: November 23, 2012 03:42PM

The fill neck also moves 3" to the left necessitating a matching hole in the floor - the old hole will need to be patched and metal finished.

EDIT: Added photo

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/2012 05:10PM by ex-tyke.

pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: pspeaks
Date: November 23, 2012 10:46PM

Thanks Graham, I had planned on that but thought there might be something else.

Paul

ex-tyke
Graham Creswick
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
(1165 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 11:17AM

Main British Car:
1976 MGB Ford 302

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: ex-tyke
Date: November 24, 2012 09:04AM

You may have noticed In the photo on my last post, that you can see the old and new mounting hardware in a couple of locations (3" shift).

pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: pspeaks
Date: November 24, 2012 11:11AM

Yes, the picture is a great help and with your help I think I have it figured out now, thanks! My T-Bucket friends are trying to talk me into manufacturing a stainless tank with more capacity as we did for a couple of very thirsty buckets but they are all my age, retired, and tend to work for about ten minutes starting about noon then smoke cigars and drink Basil Hayden the rest of the day. I figure they would get done by next Christmas!!!

Paul

BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6470 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: November 26, 2012 08:17AM

Wouldn't aluminum be easier?

Jim

pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: pspeaks
Date: November 26, 2012 01:33PM

It would, and mine would be aluminum, but we did one for a customer out of stainless so that's their mind set. Aluminum wouldn't be as heavy either.

Paul

BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6470 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

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Re: Moss Gas Tank

Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: November 26, 2012 02:39PM

I found some railing end caps that work great for merging two curved bends. Don't know how big they make them but I will probably make a gas tank for my car and try to use those for the bottom four corners if I do. I know they are available, I just don't remember where I bought them.

Jim

MG Sports Cars

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