r&r drilling = how close to fuel tank?

Post by **plurker** » 18 Nov 2005, 16:41

hi all,
this weekend's job is to drill through the floor and bolt in my r&r bed, (once i've stripped the nasty plastic coating on the metal and Hammerite'd that is

)

Now, I read somewhere that the fuel tank lives under the sloping bit, is that right?
If that is the case, does anyone know if there's enough clearance that I can drill safely through or will i end up penetrating the tank

cheers
P

Post by **T'Onion** » 18 Nov 2005, 17:00

the fuel tank is up front .. under the drivers and passengers seat .. take a look under the van

Post by **missusjen** » 18 Nov 2005, 17:05

Like Onion says - take a look under the van.

2WD's are under the front, so no bother at all.

A Syncro's fuel tank is under the sloping section - and causes real hassle when you want to attach belts - either drop the tank (so easy to write), or attach them to the floor instead......

Post by **T'Onion** » 18 Nov 2005, 17:14

sorry didnt think about our 4x4 cousins,

A couple of things to watch for are the coolant hoses and the fuel lines and all the t'other crapp under there wires and nests etc

Post by **plurker** » 18 Nov 2005, 17:38

thanks t'Onion and MissusJen.

I haven't had a chance to get properly uner the van yet, but glad to hear that the tank isn't in the way.

As for fuel lines etc i'll keep my eyes open, and try to be under the van looking as i drill. Maybe i could drill in from underneath actually?

And seatbelts is the next step after that - reckon i'll get someone to do for me as it's a safety thing...

have good weekends

Post by **syncroand101** » 18 Nov 2005, 18:35

Don't they mostly have captive nuts ready to accept seat belts!?

Post by **HarryMann** » 18 Nov 2005, 18:36

Drill through where you want with an 1/8" drill, wrapping it with masking or insulating tape about 1/4" up from the tip and then go steady as it breaks through...

then udnerneath, check where the hole is and if near to anything drill back through from underneath finish size - deburr from top and you're done...

x 12

Post by **missusjen** » 18 Nov 2005, 18:42

Like Jake says - if your van started life as pretty much anything other than a panel van - it should have the seatbelt mounting points already in position......towards the top of the sloping section, and in the rear pillars for 3 pointers. An expert probably wouldn't be any better at screwing them in than you would.........

Post by **NOT ANOTHER LEAK** » 19 Nov 2005, 10:21

todays job eh.that means youll still be at it on monday

Post by **plurker** » 19 Nov 2005, 11:01

When will i do Sunday's job then??? That's insulating all the panels with sound deadening....

aargh, gotta get going but it's soooo cold

Post by **DiscoDave** » 19 Nov 2005, 18:27

instructions for splitty say about fuel tank near where you need to drill! i'd say drill the holes and worry later! always works for me!! eventually!!