Fuel Tank Removal

[Steve_Lindford]

So the firewall is not really a firewall. It appears that the more the tanks can rotate forward on removal - the less high the car would have to be above the ground - but I realise ther e is not much option for manoeuvre. The twin cam tanks appear smaller than the S2 - but it is probably an illusion. If I decide to cut 2 access holes in the 'firewall' - I would ensure the covers were detachable to gain access in future. I have plenty of time to change my mind either way about all this - as I have other projects round the house just now. I like having the next project in my mind to consider...

[GavinT]

Is the TC floor intact under the tank/s?
On my S2, there's a tank shaped hole in the floor open to the breeze.
I guess one could make a cover if desired.

Can't imagine taking a tank out through a firewall access 'hatch' would be more convenient than dropping it through the floor. You'd have to remove the seat, backboard and carpet, at the very least.
Removing the tank/s isn't a job that's done very often.

[GavinT]

I will replace the firewall in my car with a sandwich panel of some sort, to keep the weight down.  I'll look for a compromise between price, weight, noise and heat insulation, fire resistance and structural value.

I also made sandwich panels from PVC foam - brilliant stuff.

[gideon]

So the firewall is not really a firewall.

The firewall does at least three things.  It is simultaneously a firewall and a structural bulkhead and insulation for both noise and heat.  I suppose Colin was pleased that he got one part to do three jobs without spending much money.

[Steve_Lindford]

My tc has a hole in body below the fuel tanks - Until recently I thought it was made by a previous owner trying to gain access - but it seems it is standard.

The sound insulation on the firewall looks like something I would use to start a fire!

[BDA]

The holes are standard.

The sound insulation on the firewall looks like something I would use to start a fire!   

I doubt it is flammable though.

[gideon]

Lotus put a layer of something on the engine side of the LDF bulkhead that looks to me like coir (coconut fiber).  Out of curiosity I took a piece of this and held it in the flame of a mapp gas torch.  It smoldered a little in the flame but didn't continue to burn when I removed the flame.  Maybe it was treated with something flame retardant.  Who knows?

[BobW]

Lotus put a layer of something on the engine side of the LDF bulkhead that looks to me like coir (coconut fiber). 

Yup, that's what it looks like to me too.

[dakazman]

  Here are some other points of guidance
https://www.gglotus.org/ggtech/europa-techinfo/lotuscht.htm#_Toc462883526
Dakazman