Fuel System Fitting

With the fuel pump rebuilt and working and the engine in it was time to connect up the fuel system so I could get this MG Midget running again for the first time in decades.

Time to fit the fuel tank. Needed to paint it first. I was very lucky as this tank was brand new and given to me when I bought the car by the prior owner.

That meant it just needed a degrease and a coat of primer, followed by a couple of coats of black chassis paint.

But before I could fit the tank you have to fit the fuel gauge sender unit.

And that meant testing it. So I connected my meter up to it to see what readings it produced when I moved the float.

To my surprise and relief it worked! When full a high number...

And when empty a low number.

And somewhere in between!

I did take this apart and give it a good clean before this testing, but it all seemed in good condition.

Now ready to fit the fuel tank to the chassis.

You need to have the fuel pipe and wire to the fuel sender ready.

On the underside of the floor are six bolts welded in that match the holes on the tank.

Fit the wire, rubber mounts and foam seal around the filling hole.

I found it easier to fit the longer rubber mounts to the bolt in the floor.

Then using my trolley jack lifted the tank into position.

And tightened up the nuts.

Next was to fit the filling tube. I bought new rubber seals but the rest was original as was in such good condition.

The lockable fuel cap had a polish and came up very shiny!

Now it was time to fit the fuel pump and pipes. There are only two sections of copper pipe. One runs from next to the carbs, along the length of the chassis back to the fuel pump.

There is only really one tricky section that needs careful bending, which is at the cross-member.

Once at the back it takes a 90 degree upwards turn to meet the fuel pump. The other section of copper pipe loops over the rear axle.

Fitting the pump is a bit tricky if you don't have a ramp. Having to hold the pump whilst fitting the bolts and being upside down isn't ideal. 

You really want to have the nozzles on the fuel pump loose initially so you can move the fuel pipes into the best position possible.

Then you need to also connect the pump power supply, breather pipes that come out into the boot and make sure the copper pipes are all tidy and secure. 

Oh and connect the fuel pipe to the tank!

Right good to fit the carbs!