WVO: Does a heater+pickup exist that fits in OEM tank opening without cut+drill?

[grindMARC]

Does anyone make a combo heater/fuel pickup that will fit (and bolt) into the OEM opening in a 86 300 SDL main tank? Heater can be coolant or electric.

I'm doing a dual tank conversion and I want to use the main tank (OEM) for veggie oil. It seems to me that cutting and drilling new holes for the heater and fuel pickup are alot of effort. Not to mention sealing up the original hole.

Am I making too big a deal out of this little bit of modification work?

[rrgrassi]

I was wonderingthe same thing, but for my 300D. It does not appear that anyone makes such a thing. I am looking at two tank also, but using a tank in the trunk as the SVO tank.

[grindMARC]

Originally Posted by rrgrassi

I was wonderingthe same thing, but for my 300D. It does not appear that anyone makes such a thing. I am looking at two tank also, but using a tank in the trunk as the SVO tank.

I'm close to finding something... Planetdrive made a heater/pickup/sender that fit in the fuel level sender hole. They took it out of production due to reliability issues, but I got an email from them this morning suggesting that they might have worked out the kinks! I'm waiting for a confirming email with pricing. I promise to update this thread when I found out for sure.

[biopete]

hotstyck mercedes

This is an ideal one. I think its pricey and now its under review for fuel gauge not functioning. I would sacrifice my fuel gauge for it gladly though . A custom dipstick for the filler tube surely would not be too hard to fabricate.

cheers

[rrgrassi]

I'm still debating on splitting the coolant system, or going electric. Both have positive and negative aspects.

[grindMARC]

Originally Posted by rrgrassi

I'm still debating on splitting the coolant system, or going electric. Both have positive and negative aspects.

Assuming you're already running coolant alongside the VO line, its just a matter of a good quailty tank heat exchanger (see link in this thread) -- and i'm not talking about one of those $20 ebay aluminum jobbies! The only drawback I can come up with is possible cross contamination. As long as the part is beefy and well-designed, it should never happen. My research tells me that the critical heating of VO is done in the engine compartment (flat plate heat exchangers, fuel filter/h20 sep, injection heaters). The tank and line heating is really to just keep it moving.

BTW, I think you should reconsider the idea of converting your main tank to hold the veggie and have a little 6 gal tank in the trunk to hold the diesel. One fits in the depression of the trunk on either side. I saw this setup on a WVO conversion installer's car.

Cheers

[grindMARC]

The Hotstik heater/pump/sender that fits in the OEM opening of the MB tank is no longer available. Email below from Ed at Planetdrive:

Hi Marc. Hotstk with sender is no longer available.
Best is remove tank, use a holesaw to make a hole and install the
Hotfox from the top and use original sender.

I'm guessing that he unintentionally skipped over the step where you reinforce the new hole by welding a mounting bracket to the opening (availble direct from artic fox). Sent him an email asking about this bit.

[rrgrassi]

I have not done any converting yet. From what I have read, stainless steel or aluminum is the best for veggie oil contact, since copper and brass can be negatively affected by the oil. I do know I do not want a plastic hose in hose set up. If there is a leak, I want to see it, not the affects of the mixing of coolant nad veggie oil.

[grindMARC]

Ed from planetdrive replied. In his experience, its not necessary to reinforce the new opening in a MB fuel tank to hold a heat exchanger and/or fuel pickup.