This is odd

alfazagato · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 12:43 PM

My '56 Spider has, what appears to be, a normal fuel tank and from the book it should hold 53 litres. I have regularly put between 58 and 60 litres into it on top of that remaining in it. Where there two sizes or is this just another example of Italian aproximate hand-book?

**Gordon Raymond** · #2 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 03:26 PM

Probably a bit of both. From the parts book, two tanks are listed, though I have never bothered to try to identify one from the other. Here in the US, with historically cheap fuel prices, this sort of thing is a non issue. On the other hand, Most US manufactured automobiles hold amounts of fuel not listed in the manufacturers owners manual. I see no reason why this could not be true for other makes as well.

alfazagato · #3 (**permalink**) 08-06-2008, 03:02 AM

Gordon thanks for your thoughts. I wonder if there was an American tank...longer distances etc so more capacity! I will measure mine and see the difference.
My problem is that I need to re-calibrate my sender and gauge to accommodate the larger size as currently I can get the 60 litres into the tank with just under a quarter tank registering on the gauge....indeed there is fuel left in the tank too.
Talking of fuel cost, we now have, in the UK, the £100 fill up for a Sprint Veloce!! Its not too long ago you could buy a car for that.

**NMS** · #4 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 10:19 AM

Old thread, but I came across it looking for info on the fuel sender.
Since it ended without an answer, just wanted to say that according to the book, the 53 liter tank came standard with the Nornale, and the 80 liter tank was standard for the Veloce, and an option for the Normale.
Naftali

alfazagato · #5 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 10:58 AM

Thanks NMS, I did know that and as far as I am aware the Spiders have one tank only...Normale or Veloce which holds 53-55 litres. Mine is significantly bigger...I would now estimate it to be 70 litres more or less. Yet the original tank straps still fit and visually it appears identical to the others. That's why I have this query! Please tell me what is going on?

**NMS** · #6 (**permalink**) 04-12-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfazagato

Thanks NMS, I did know that and as far as I am aware the Spiders have one tank only...Normale or Veloce which holds 53-55 litres.

Alex · #7 (**permalink**) 04-12-2009, 06:26 PM

I was on the phone this morning to a friend's father who owned a Sprint Veloce in South Africa about 30 years ago ... he swears that his car had a special 80 litre tank fitted. Apparently it still exists, too.

**AR58SprintV** · #8 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 12:21 AM

Dear Stuart,
Could be your gallons are smaller than the listed liters? Remember, Black cars go faster on the pump meter also!
Keep the revs up,
Laurence

alfazagato · #9 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 09:43 AM

Laurence. I have minimised the petrol in the grey Giulietta so that I can remove and re-seal the bung on the underside. I will then fill to the brim and see what I can get in to answer all the comments and observations. Thank you for them all.
As a matter of fact, NMS ( thank you for your note BTW) the Spiders appear to have one tank size variously listed as 53 and 55 lires...there is not a Veloce Spider tank as there is with the Sprints, which does hold 80 litres as a result of the two forward bulges either side of the differential casing. On the Sprint Veloce, as a result of the extra capacity it requires a different handbrake arrangement served by cables and different brake backing plates.
More excitement to follow.

AlfistiSA · #10 (**permalink**) 04-14-2009, 04:49 AM

Hi All

There is only one tank for the Spider and it's nominal capacity is 53 litres as given in the books

The parts book is WRONG, it's rare but it happens, most likely the scribe was copying the format for the Sprints, which have different tanks for Normale & Veloce.

As for the capacity, the stated nominal is 53 litres, but in reality the tank is curved and you can get a few extra litres into the top by gently rocking the car plus the filler neck holds a fair amount as well. I've managed to get nearly 60 litres into my Spider before

Stu - try turning that "hot" 1600 off when you fill up, the idle is gaining on the pump

Ciao
Greig

alfazagato · #11 (**permalink**) 04-14-2009, 06:32 AM

Greig, As usual the answer is at your fingertips...however I achieved nearly 70 litres!!!with the engine turned off too!

AlfistiSA · #12 (**permalink**) 04-14-2009, 06:43 AM

Hi Stuart

I suspect that the nominal capacity was taken off the usual (L x B x H) formulae and no allowance was made for the additional curvature of the tank, additionally being hand built, the angle of the tanks on all the cars varies slightly & you may find that your Spider has the tank facing slightly tail-up, allowing you to "brim" the tank without having to shake the car to 'burp' the extra air out of the tank to get that last drop in.

Or, your "litre" is feeling the pinching effects of the credit crunch, where you pay more for less ??

Ciao
G