Front seatbelt repair panel - fouls expansion tank mounting

[tandemsandy]

I have a dilemma so am seeking the advice of the hive mind!!!
Replacing a rotten n/s front seatbelt mount. Have got a repair panel -
http://www.coolairvw.co.uk/Item/Shop_by ... _Left.html

but it doesn't allow for the mounting stud for the expansion tank-



Assuming I keep the seatbelt anchor in the same position, that nice stiff reinforcement on the underside is exactly where I need to weld a stud to replace the cut out one. You can see the tank in position through the hole. On the repair panel you can see a yellow paint mark on the edge of the flange - that's where the bolt needs to go!! I'd considered moving the seatbelt mount further forwards so the tank mount was behind it, but its a long way to move it.

So I either need to grind away some of the reinforcement to allow me to weld a stud there, or I don't put the expansion tank back and just join the 2 breather pipes together. The 'valve' for the vent pipe on top of the tank isn't a valve anymore, it blows & sucks without resistance!!

Any thoughts appreciated!

Cheers,
Rob

[boatbuilder]

You could just grind it flat and weld the stud on...
I'd be also interested to know if the expansion tanks are really needed and could they be done away with?

I had a Karmann Ghia once that had a petrol tank venting arrangement with charcoal canisters and all kinds of vents coming from the fuel tank and into the intake manifold the whole thing was prone to clogging so I just joined the vent lines together on the tank and it worked fine.

[Oldiebut goodie]

I'd be inclined to just drill a hole through the lot and square it off to allow the use of a domed head coachbolt - hardly notice that when it is under the carpet. Have to peruse Metalmick8y's posts to see what he does with them.

[tandemsandy]

Now that's an idea. About to go back to work on it so we'll see how it goes.

Thanks,
Rob

[Plasticman]

that really is a poor design and lots of unnecessary metal plus ££££
i tend to have a 1.5mm plate with the nut welded on which sits under the original part of inner wing and you puddle weld through and i fit a part that then fills the hole and levels it .havent time to search the ones ive done sorry,
but i ought to run a few off at a tenner a time
mm