Fuel Tank Access Panels

[lewma]

All

What is everyone using to fasten down the fuel tank access panels in the roadster trunk aluminum ? Don't really want to rivet those down and wondered if there was a good fastener to use so I can remove those panels if needed ?

thanks!
mark

[GoDadGo]

A lot of guys install rivet nuts, myself included, to secure the access panels.

I've gone overboard and used the #10X24 with a 1/8" button allen head screw for my dash, transmission tunnel top, stereo and all access panels.

https://www.rivetsonline.com/aluminum-rivet-nuts-threaded-inserts/ribbed-l-series-aluminum-rivet-nuts#1

You can see some of my stupidity (aka: WORK) around 1:47 - 2:10 in the attached video:

https://youtu.be/IGYtX-3p7xk

[Mark Eaton]

I used rivnuts

[CDXXVII]

Rivet nuts here as well. No need to use anything larger than 6-32. One thing to note is that the fuel pump side is too small if you go with an in tank fuel pump.

[2bking]

I screwed mine down with the rivnuts as well. However, I don't think it matters whether they are screwed down or riveted. Rivets are easily drilled out if it becomes necessary to remove them. I've had to access my tank twice and both times I had to drop the tank for the needed repairs. The access panels didn't help.

[Boydster]

I used the same 10-32 rivnuts I used all over the car for hard-or-impossible-to-access-the-back-side places. I also made a larger access panel over the fuel pump so when the time came, its much easier to swing the wrenches, cap lines and wiggle the pump assembly out.

[phileas_fogg]

Same as Boydster: #10-32 rivnuts & larger access panels (I made the hole as big as the F5-provided cover). I used one rivet on the 3/4" diagonal for the fuel pump cover.


John

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1759/40666659400_abc395c647_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/24Xzg31)IMG_4468 (https://flic.kr/p/24Xzg31) by jhsitton (https://www.flickr.com/photos/91016165@N07/), on Flickr

[lewma]

Thanks everyone

[Dave Howard]

As an alternative, dome head self tapping SS screws. The holes are already drilled in the access panels.

[Bobby Doug]

Rivnuts also, I did make my fuel pump access panel bigger than what FF had. The larger opening will come in handy when I change fuel pumps in the future to accommodate EFI requirements.

[GoDadGo]

If you need to make larger access panels, just go to your local ACE Hardware, Lowes or Home Depot and pick up an aluminum door kick plate.

You can even pick a different color if you want to "Bling Things Up" a bit.