If you get an extended drill bit, you could drill down the centerline of the filler neck into the reservoir. Then, weld a piece of rod onto the reservoir, in that hole. Then, slide it back up into the filler neck hole and bend the rod to be aligned perfectly centered, in the hole. This will help you get the alignment for the new filler tube. I’d also abandon the steel filler neck for all aluminum. You can then cut a plate with a hole the size of the filler tube, and slide it down over the new filler neck. Mount the whole assembly in place, and then tack the filler neck plate onto the the filler neck, while it is aligned perfectly with the body. Then, of course remove, fully weld, and re insert and drill out the 3 mounting screws and weld on a new cap.
phew! I'm going to have to read that a few times...that's a lot! haha. I stuck a sharpie down there on a long piece of all-thread and scribbled a reference for the filler. I really like the idea of welding a piece of rod to the center of that scribble then bending it to match the center of the filler tube. Good idea! As for getting rid of the metal filler tube, I want to keep it. I want to keep the gas cap, too. I think it'd be hilarious to open the cap in a crowd and pour water into the "fuel tank." I could tell them it runs on water!
If you get an extended drill bit, you could drill down the centerline of the filler neck into the reservoir. Then, weld a piece of rod onto the reservoir, in that hole. Then, slide it back up into the filler neck hole and bend the rod to be aligned perfectly centered, in the hole. This will help you get the alignment for the new filler tube. I’d also abandon the steel filler neck for all aluminum. You can then cut a plate with a hole the size of the filler tube, and slide it down over the new filler neck. Mount the whole assembly in place, and then tack the filler neck plate onto the the filler neck, while it is aligned perfectly with the body. Then, of course remove, fully weld, and re insert and drill out the 3 mounting screws and weld on a new cap.
phew! I'm going to have to read that a few times...that's a lot! haha. I stuck a sharpie down there on a long piece of all-thread and scribbled a reference for the filler. I really like the idea of welding a piece of rod to the center of that scribble then bending it to match the center of the filler tube. Good idea! As for getting rid of the metal filler tube, I want to keep it. I want to keep the gas cap, too. I think it'd be hilarious to open the cap in a crowd and pour water into the "fuel tank." I could tell them it runs on water!