purchase new fuel tank, looks wrong type

[cheesebox]

I've removed the fuel tank from my 318iS, and had bought a new tank from Euro Car Parts (UK supplier of equivalent non BMW manufactured parts) to replace it. With the two side by side I can see there are some major differences:

- The original has one hole in the top, for the fuel pump. The new one has an extra similar hole on the top, at the other end.

- The original has two indentations running the length of the top, into which two fuel lines are recessed. The new one only has one recess.

- The new one does not have the holes in the bottom for the link pipe to fit into, between the two wells.

- The new one looks a good 4 inches wider.

- The new one doesn't have the front nearside mounting hole in the right place - it's too far inboard.

I've read e30 tanks are interchangeable despite there being different capacity ones used in different models. It might be posible to modify this one to fit, but it's not going to be a simple job.
 
Can anyone confirm this, and identify what type it is I've got?

[RED IS 91]

[dude8383]

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r73/bogeyman700/bmw/bmwgastank003.jpg

You wouldn't happen to have any more pics of that would ya?

[B318M42W]

sounds like an early E30 tank with an in-tank transfer pump and dual fuel senders and possibly the 60L version (maybe explains the 4'' differance. Or it might be from a same period 5er?

[RED IS 91]

another view




connector pipe.



fuel pump

[AtlBMW]

Off topic but how much of a PITA was it to remove the old tank. Assuming you have done so...

[B318M42W]

getting the tank out isn't that much a pain, just a long process. Putting it back in is a real pain though! It would be much easier if you can get a hand to put it back in.

[RED IS 91]

it was a long process(many parts have to come off) but I had it done in one day and also changed the guibo and center bearing.

[dude8383]

Agreed, definitely not hard but time consuming. I managed to pinch the return line TWICE when installing it...pretty infuriating.

I sprayed my tank with some undercoating before installing it though

[RED IS 91]

Agreed, definitely not hard but time consuming. I managed to pinch the return line TWICE when installing it...pretty infuriating.

I sprayed my tank with some undercoating before installing it though

I did too.
top half done ,ready of flip over

[DesktopDave]

Are those tanks galvanized?  Even if they are, better some undercoating than not.

Just wondering, does anyone know if they make a skid plate for the passenger side?  Every e30 I've seen regardless of version or build date has the passenger floor & tank dented.

[dude8383]

Are those tanks galvanized?  Even if they are, better some undercoating than not.

Just wondering, does anyone know if they make a skid plate for the passenger side?  Every e30 I've seen regardless of version or build date has the passenger floor & tank dented.

Actually I think that "dent" isn't really a dent...I've noticed this on all of them and I'm persuaded that its like that from the factory!