The MARLIN of Dorian Gray......

**Waterscumbietoo** · 10-08-2020, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by jon_cox

Hi David
No physical progress so far. Have been at the planning stage for a few years.......

.
Too many distractions in life at the moment. I did not even put the car on the road this year due to other projects.
Hopefully get things going after the summer.
What are your plans for fuelling? Will you change the fuel tank for a custom made job with sump, baffles and fuel line return? Or go the swirl pot route?
If you change the pedal box to mx5 will you need to change the steering column position or perhaps use the mx5 column?
Trouble is every decision has a knock on effect which sends you round in circles.

Jon

1. No decision on the fuel tank vs swirl pot as yet. Have to find a local(ish) tank fabrication company to discuss my options for a tank with a sump for the submerged MX5 fuel pump, so that the swirl pot is not necessary. Also may go for steel instead of ally, as the coming ethanol mix to UK petrol does bad things to ally tanks, or so I'm told, have to do a bit more research.

2. Went with the MX5 pedals and mountings. Had to make up a few items to get them to fit to the Marlin bulkhead and ditched the servo as no space for it, but turned out quite well. Fitting "Greeenstuff" pads to the front discs.

3. Made a "dog leg" for the Marina steering shaft to clear the air intake for the MX5.

4. Also need a new drive shaft to mate the MX5 gearbox to the Marina diff

5. Then need to look at a new exhaust manifold and exhaust

6. And on and on and on

Now learning all about brake pipe flaring

**Waterscumbietoo** · 13-08-2020, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Waterscumbietoo

1. No decision on the fuel tank vs swirl pot as yet. Have to find a local(ish) tank fabrication company to discuss my options for a tank with a sump for the submerged MX5 fuel pump, so that the swirl pot is not necessary. Also may go for steel instead of ally, as the coming ethanol mix to UK petrol does bad things to ally tanks, or so I'm told, have to do a bit more research.

2. Went with the MX5 pedals and mountings. Had to make up a few items to get them to fit to the Marlin bulkhead and ditched the servo as no space for it, but turned out quite well. Fitting "Greeenstuff" pads to the front discs.

3. Made a "dog leg" for the Marina steering shaft to clear the air intake for the MX5.

4. Also need a new drive shaft to mate the MX5 gearbox to the Marina diff

5. Then need to look at a new exhaust manifold and exhaust

6. And on and on and on

Now learning all about brake pipe flaring

OK, with all the talk of the Ethanol being added to UK unleaded petrol, any advice on if it is a good idea to have a custom ally tank or go for a steel one instead?

**Tony Stott** · 13-08-2020, 12:06 PM

Doesn't ethanol absorb water cf whisky etc, that could be the prob with corrosion of the ali tanks?

**andyf** · 13-08-2020, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Tony Stott

Doesn't ethanol absorb water cf whisky etc, that could be the prob with corrosion of the ali tanks?

And an even bigger problem with steel tanks which is probably why all of the manufacturers have plastic tanks. Probably best to get one of the motorsport bag tanks or just slosh the metal tanks with an ethanol proof coating... wishing I'd done mine when I swapped it a couple of years ago.

**stevejgreen** · 13-08-2020, 03:41 PM

Aluminium and steel are not self sealing.
if you suffer a rear end collision in a roadster, disembark quickly.

**andyf** · 14-08-2020, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by stevejgreen

Aluminium and steel are not self sealing.
if you suffer a rear end collision in a roadster, disembark quickly.

Having had a rear end shunt in a Marlin I wouldn't worry, if they hit you hard enough to rupture the tank you'll probably be unconscious! if not badly injured!!

**boustrophedon** · 14-08-2020, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by andyf

And an even bigger problem with steel tanks which is probably why all of the manufacturers have plastic tanks. Probably best to get one of the motorsport bag tanks or just slosh the metal tanks with an ethanol proof coating... wishing I'd done mine when I swapped it a couple of years ago.

Actually ethanol keep the tank drier as it keeps the water in solution instead of as a puddle at the bottom. Skoda, back in the days of their old rear engined models actually recommended adding ethanol in cold damp climates. Water can get into any petrol tank via the breather as vapour and can condense out.

Some metals, aluminium included can corrode in dry ethanol.

Plastic tanks are used because they are cheaper and can be blow molded to fit into inconvenient spaces.

**h_m_cumming** · 14-08-2020, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by andyf

Having had a rear end shunt in a Marlin I wouldn't worry, if they hit you hard enough to rupture the tank you'll probably be unconscious! if not badly injured!!

Been hit twice up the back, barely dented the bumper. You should see what it did to the other cars 'though

**Waterscumbietoo** · 15-08-2020, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by andyf

Out of interest what peddle box are you using? Looks completely different to the Marina one

Took all pedals and brackets from the MX5 and made them fit in the Marlin bulkhead. Had to use a 4mm thick steel plate to fill in the hole left from the Marina pedal box and pad the clutch pedal out to make it line up with the brake pedal. Have now run new copper clutch and brake lines to front brakes.

**Waterscumbietoo** · 29-08-2020, 08:00 AM

Finally!

New custom propshaft is ready. Now to install, make up drive tunnel and floorboards and make new gearbox support bracket which will hang from the drive tunnel. Then run brake line to rear.

My next mission is designing new steel fuel tank to take Mazda submerged fuel pump and install flow and return fuel lines rated at 80psi for fuel injection.

Wish me luck

New custom propshaft.jpg