Reserve tap and its control cable

[quattro]

The reserve system works like this: -

When on main tank, the fuel goes down the pipe in the picture below, top arrow, some 4" above the bottom of the tank. Any crud or bits in your tank can wash about in the bottom of your tank in the two gallons or so of unused fuel, keeping it away from your carbs.

If you run out of fuel you pull the cable and then the fuel goes through that filter and exits the tank from a small well at the bottom of the tank (Bottom arrow) - which could be full of all sorts of muck, in a 50 year old car.

So, although there is a filter it can reduce the fuel available and cause supply issues.

My fuel injection system needs a 1/2" hose so I have had to modify that filter and take fuel from the bottom, and yes it has caused me some problems.

Saying that, if you tank is super clean, you shouldn't get any problems. IMO that is

 

[ampwhu]

its a right pain to get to it even with the box out.

 

[quattro]

I'm not saying don't do it, but I did it and had problems.

 

[StefanVXR8]

My O ring decided to spring a leak after I pulled the reserve cable out a few days ago. What an absolute pain to do! I have severely bruised wrists now but, a dry reserve tap! One thing I have noticed though, if I screw in the little screw on the top of the tap it stops the tap from being moved. TBH not a major problem because I'm pretty sure my electric pump is only plumbed in to the main fuel line, though having said that, the car did run when I first got it with a tank well below 1/4 full!

 

[jp928]

Stefan, Based on my tapexperience with the small screw locking the barrel (I removed the tap unit completely), the barrel is not inserted far enough. When the screw fits properly the lever is very close to the tap body.

 

[StefanVXR8]

Stefan, Based on my tapexperience with the small screw locking the barrel (I removed the tap unit completely), the barrel is not inserted far enough. When the screw fits properly the lever is very close to the tap body.

Ah, OK, thanks, I’ll take another look and see if I can push it in any further, looks pretty snug but I guess it’s a small tolerance.

 

[jp928]

On mine I found a very small burr on the barrel stopped it going home. You are lucky you could disconnect the lever from the cable, I could not until I cut the cable.