AK Petrol filler hose

[DrFelch]

As per a piccie from the AK build photo CD (attached) what is the purpose of the second small tube that comes out of the tank ? Is it a breather (looks like it sort of 'stops' in the middle of nowhere !). If it it a breather, whats to stop shite getting into the tank (or is there a one way valve etc). A friend told me that he put it all the way from the tank to the filler cap (as an overflow) but I believe he had probs with this.

Cheers

Marcus

[JP]

Marcus

Yes its the breather pipe, I used a 3/8 bolt drilled a hole in the centre, cut off the bolt head. Then drilled hole in neck of flange tapped it fitted bolt that was threaded etc then connected the breather pipe.

Rgds

JP

[StuartH]

If it is just a pipe welded to the tank you must add a breather valve, this allows the air in/out so you can fill-up, and suck petrol out when running, but prevents fuel coming out if you turn the car over.

Stuart

[TINKA]

Hi Stuart, I have to say I did the same as JP, the problem is with the pipe connected I can see the use for the pipe as it means I can full fill the tank with out air locks ( the fuel spitting back all over the car and me or the pump keeping switching it's self off ) The only problem with this arrangement is that when the filler cap is on, no air can get in and if I don't stop regularly and remove the cap I am in danger of collapsing the tank.

Where did you get the breather valve from and how much are they?

Thanks Martin :tu :tu :tu :tu :tu

[StuartH]

Hi Martin,
The breather valve wasn't cheap - can't remember exactly how much noe, I think it was about 30 to 40 notes. I think it was from Merlin motorsports.
It was more of a pain to fit on mine, as I was one of only a few back then to fit flush fit aero fillers (I think the aston/monza style caps allow air in anyway) so I had no breather on my tank and Ken made me up a special bit of pipe to go from the filler to the tank - after this I believe all AK's had breathers on the tank!!
Even with the breather I usually open the other filler cap (the one I'm not filling) to let the air out (hence fuel in) faster.

Stuart