fuel tank filler pipe overflow/breather

[jdreamer]

Just changed my (early) fuel tank on my westy. Got the crossover pipe connectors back in the top of the tank ok (new grommets) after fitting tank, but I cannot get the filler pipe overflow/breather pipe to go into its grommet. I've tried everything, but I just can't get enough leverage tp push it home. On early tanks, this pipe is a metal pipe (as per the actuall filler pipe). Unlike the plastic y pieces for the crossover, there isn't much on the pipe end to locate in the grommet hole, so it slips around whilst you push it. Looks like the only option is to drop the tank again and fit the pipe first. BUT it's too big and will prevent the tank from going in, so I'll need to cut the pipe shorter and add a length of rubber pipe to join it to the filler pipe connector. Anyone see a problem with that?

I thought about getting the later plastic version of this pipe and trying that as the end seems to be more like the y piece connectors for the crossover tube, so may well be easier to push into the grommet. So that may be plan B...

cheers, J

[jdreamer]

Just changed my (early) fuel tank on my westy. Got the crossover pipe connectors back in the top of the tank ok (new grommets) after fitting tank, but I cannot get the filler pipe overflow/breather pipe to go into its grommet. I've tried everything, but I just can't get enough leverage tp push it home. On early tanks, this pipe is a metal pipe (as per the actuall filler pipe). Unlike the plastic y pieces for the crossover, there isn't much on the pipe end to locate in the grommet hole, so it slips around whilst you push it. Looks like the only option is to drop the tank again and fit the pipe first. BUT it's too big and will prevent the tank from going in, so I'll need to cut the pipe shorter and add a length of rubber pipe to join it to the filler pipe connector. Anyone see a problem with that?

I thought about getting the later plastic version of this pipe and trying that as the end seems to be more like the y piece connectors for the crossover tube, so may well be easier to push into the grommet. So that may be plan B...

cheers, J

hi folks, Final call for any opinions, before I go start hacking the pipe to bits! Any thoughts appreciated - apart from "don't be a wimp, just try harder"

[kevtherev]

As its not part of the main fuel delivery gubbins
hell I say, make your life easy!

[croc]

Interested in how you succeed with this - I have to do this tank in/out too.

Silly suggestion but have you smeared some (engine) oil or grease on the filler pipe end to help it into the grommet??

Good luck.

jon

[jdreamer]

As its not part of the main fuel delivery gubbins
hell I say, make your life easy!

Yep, my thought too, but wanted to get another opinion before taking a hacksaw to that "can't be many of these around" part. Ta for the response, just need to get on with it now.

Cheers, J

[jdreamer]

Interested in how you succeed with this - I have to do this tank in/out too.

Silly suggestion but have you smeared some (engine) oil or grease on the filler pipe end to help it into the grommet??

Good luck.

jon

Cheers Jon. I used vaseline and that worked well on the other pipes, this one's just too tight for that. I'll drop the tank again and proceed as per my post above. Will let u know how it goes.