Additional tank - how?

[fexlboi]

I like to add an additional Diesel tank (10-15 gallon) on our single-tank 5spd l300. There is a nice space where the stock muffler used to be (photo is old). So the new tank would be just opposite of the stock tank on the other side of the shaft. The question is how would you connect both tanks?
What kind of fitting to you need on the new tank?
Would you rather build out of stainless or aluminum?
I like to keep just one filler and the stock fuel gauge for both tanks. I know the automatic l300s have a dual tank set-up, but it won't work on a 5spd.

[BCDelica]

How about a second Delica tank in that space? The rear tank of the auto Delica has that similar top heavy configuration, and would it fit if oriented the opposite way? No position to check and measure if so myself.

Joining the two tanks is quite simple; pickup from the original tank, overflow into the spare, and using the siphon effect the same way the autos use it, ie shared venting and piping to the bottom of both tanks. But the plumbing would be there if you mounted a stock Delica tank using the stock pickup, requiring adding a new filling port (as Afteroil did, but maybe as the orientation of the second tank may be right or wrong for an easy fit) and a overflow port (would definitely need) on your stock tank. Just have a welder mount some solid, correct thread sized, mounting points and your set.

[fexlboi]

Thanks a lot, but honestly I didn't quite follow. Let's assume I add another squared tank (something like that) to the stock Delica tank but still keep ONLY the original filler. Which line needs to go where? How many vents, returns and pickups?

[BCDelica]

That's was a pretty brief description, but having been crazy busy (work, bike meet up's and following morning fishing at 5 am like all week) kept it short. But a square plug in a Delica sized hole, well I believe a second Delica tank sourced from Mardy or Glen would fit better.

We have no internet connection at our new house, but I'm certain I have some line diagrams of the existing Delica's tanks interconnection that happens with the autos - give me 24 hrs.

[BCDelica]

Well can't find the pictures on the laptop, but found this thread with pictures of a Delica tank pick up;

http://www.delica.ca/forum/there-are-4- ... -3887.html

The pictures show 2 lines to the tanks bottom, and 2 to the top. One bottom line is a pickup for fuel delivery and the second bottom line is a shared siphon line to the second. A larger diameter opening in the top of each tank would take care of the filling.

It gets more complicated if you want to use a square fuel cell; filling port to take care of overflow from the first tank, the shared siphon line, and venting in the additional tank to the top of the Delica's existing tank.

Regards,
Kevin

[fexlboi]

Thanks Kevin,
I had a closer look at the tanks from an automatic and it seems the rear tank is way too big to fit side by side in a 5spd, BUT the front tank would fit quite nicely where the muffler used to be.
Now my 5spd tank does probably not have a shared siphon line (as on After Oil's photo), right? At least I couldn't find it on the drawing.
The front tank of an automatic has two large hoses attached (one from the filler and one as overflow I assume) I couldn't see any other hoses attached. There a probably more on the top (vents?)
I'll try to get one front tank from one of the parts Delicas. It should give me a better overview of attached stuff.

[Super Exceeded]

You could always just relocate your spare tire to a roof rack and make a custom tank to fit in the old tire space.

[fexlboi]

You could always just relocate your spare tire to a roof rack and make a custom tank to fit in the old tire space.

I already have a few ideas for this location. No space for a fuel tank anymore :)

[jessef]

Call Mardy.

I was going to use a pair of auto tanks he had already pulled out of a parts L300 he had. They should still be around.

[thedjjack]

check the side plastic tanks that are on some pickups. Should be able to find one that works.

Watch out for Pick-a-Part they punch a hole in all their tanks to drain them so it makes the plastic ones illegal (you are not allowed to repair plastic tanks only metal, please do not ask me how I found this all out).

Cheers

[fexlboi]

Picked up the tank today (Thanks Mardy!) Fits actually really nice in the area. Only need to build two brackets, BUT still need to figure out which hose goes where.
So what do you guys think would be the best way to connect both tanks together?
Should I do it like on the automatic l300s were this tank is between the filler and the bigger tank? That would mean I have to route quite a big hose around the stock tank.
Or is it ok if I have the larger tank at first and this tank in the end?

[steepcreeker]

I installed three tanks in my L400 for WVO and Diesel. I used a siphon system to regulate the two WVo tanks. Mine works great.
The rules for a siphon system to work are as follows:
1-The height of the pick up needs to be the same
2- The distance between the two tank fuel lines to the connection T needs to be as similar as possible.
3- There should be no dips in the lines between tank and T.
4- The size of the lines need to be the same width and the line leaving the T should be larger, but is not critical.

You will need to have another fill port. I have used a plastic fill port for boats successfully in two delicas now.- In my L300, it went just below my rear tail light, and it was hidden from view.
You can use a different air outlet port than the one you have now. ( That being said, you need to make sure that the air pressure is the same in both tanks)
You only need the one fuel gauge as the two tanks self regulate and are the same.

I hope this helps

[fexlboi]

Thanks steepcreeker! Is there really no way around to use just ONE filler?

[thedjjack]

you could run it like planes and use an electric pump to lift between the tanks.

[fexlboi]

you could run it like planes and use an electric pump to lift between the tanks.

That would be another solution, but I want to try it at first without.

So I did further investigations and found also the right diagram to our tank. It looks like #4 has a valve and is connected to the vent line.
Came up with a little diagram, not sure if everything is right. Now the question is, which hose goes where to create the siphon?
Probably need to close one filler hose on the additional tank and weld another filler fitting to the stock tank to connect both tanks.
I noticed the smaller tank has four different hose sizes. Is fuel pick-up and return always the smallest?