Has anyone else out there used a stock T tank in it's stock location in the cowl? I am running a 153 chevy ll 4-banger so it will hold enuff fuel. Cleaned it out at the rad shop and then chemically and sealed it with POR 15 so I should have no problem with it, but I have a question. Will I have a problem if I don't put a fuel shutoff on the outlet of the tank as it is above the fuel pump? Will it siphon off? I have heard I need a shut off but not from someone who has run one. Anyone out there using one and having any problems? I am ready to install it. Nutz.
Ever see a motorcycle puddlin on the ground because the tank shut off wasn't shut? It had to get past the needle and seat to do that too. Only most of them have side draft carbs so it just runs out and not into the motor. Now picture that same gass piddlin past the tiniest speck of dirt holding your needle off the seat in a down draft carb, but instead of going onto the ground it's filling the manifold and whickever cylinders have open intake valves, washing past the rings and making a potential bomb in the crank case. It can blow your garage up when you start it the next morning, and your next door neighbors garge too. A gallon of gas is as explosive as 8 sticks of dynamite. Or if it just filled the open cylinder it can hdraulic that piston and bend the rod. Don't run a gas tank above a down draft carburetor. Henry Ford was a cheap sob but even he saw the need and spent his money on a low tank and a fuel pump when he came out with the down draft carb on the V8. There's nothhing in a fuel pump to stop the gas from flowing toward the carburetor. Both the check valves open in that direction.
Don't they fit an overflow to the fuel bowl on old style carbs, for just such emergencies? Lets the fuel piss out onto the road instead of into the motor?
Someone out there must use a stock tank. What did you do? How about an electric solenoid on /off valve wired to the run side of the ignition. Does such an item exist and where do I get one? Nutz
We use the stock tank in my wife's 29 A sedan which has 289 Ford and never had any problems. Have filter coming out of tank no shutoff valve. Still run original gas gauge too.
Nice to hear from someone using a stock tank. I have heard various opinions from people as to whether it would work or not and wanted to hear what people that had used one had to say. Thanks, Nutz
Using the stock tank on my `28 roadster. I have the shut off valve, but some times I forget to turn it off. I have not had a problem so far. Am using a motorcraft two barrel carb that sets lower than the tank.
Most newer bikes have vacuum controled fuel taps, that is once the motor starts to turn over the valve opens......motor stops valve closes. This could be something to consider. CT.
My Dad had a stock 17 T Touring. The tank was under the driver's seat, but still higher than the carb. He added a small cutoff valve before the carb, just to eliminate the potential to flood out. There was no fuel pump, gravity feed only.
[ QUOTE ] Don't they fit an overflow to the fuel bowl on old style carbs, for just such emergencies? Lets the fuel piss out onto the road instead of into the motor? [/ QUOTE ] It's not an overflow, it's an an air vent to provide ambient air pressure. The bowl on a carburetor works the same way as the tank on your toilet, cept the gas runs into the engine if the float sticks on a down draft. To the guy in Texas. Yea, I've seen lots of FadTs with the tank high in the rear too... Just this guy asked if it's an ok good idea, and I can't say it is when I know it isn't! If you want to run one... you got one of thm Holley carbs that empties the bowl into the manifod if the accelerator pump diaphram gets a leak? well that's alright by me, you're four states away from me, I won't feel the blast. All the early cars with gravity tanks used updraft carburetors. If the needle stuck the gas ran down, out the intake, onto the ground. I used to see Model A's in used car lots pissin on the ground all the time because they weren't shut off.
There is a solenoid operated automatic shutoff available through Model A suppliers. The needle valve in a modern carb is set up for much more pressure than the gravity feed provides, but it's still wrong to assume everything will work as planned. Either a speck of dirt in the needle valve or a failure of your pump diaphragm if you use a pump will be big trouble. On the explosive potential of gas in your sump: I once tried to keep an old 283 running through a spell of extrz-cold winter with a failed choke--too cold and too poor to do anything. The drill was to pump the gas like crazy until it started, start it again with more pumping, then repeat until it warmed enough to keep going... one day, there was a shockingly loud explosion under the hood, closely followed by a great deal of smoke--the gas in the sump had gone critical, and one of the vette valve covers was completely shatterd venting the explosion. There was so much force apparent in this event I considered myself lucky to have lost so little hardware...or liveware.
The aftermarket ignition operated solenoid for an A is something I think would work. To DrJ, I realize this isn't the optimum location for a tank. I am trying to find a safe way to use it. I could hang one on the rear of my full fendered T tub, but having that as point of impact in a fender bender doesn't impress me either. There is no where on a T to stick a tank except for a saddle type, which I may end up going to. Not a lot of room. I understand the potential of fuel building up in the engine, that was my concern. If an igniton operated solenoid will work I will go that route. The fuel bowl of the carb sits about even with the bottom of the tank in the cowl. My concern was the siphoning of the tank thru the fuel system. Just checking out my options, that's what this board is for. Nutz
If its a tub I have to assume that you are running a back seat. You can put a tank under there. Still a problem if someone but bangs you hard enough. Aside from what has been mentioned, you also want to shut the fuel off if you need to work on it, like change the fuel filter etc. Solonoid valves are cheap and easy to wire in. Just get one that's naturaly closed, and hook it up to a toggle or a hot wire on your ignition switch. Or do it the old fasioned way, and get an inline valve and hook it up to a choke cable. Anyway, a shutoff is a must. I agree with DrJ
The problem with anything manual is that you'll eventually forget. It took a couple times of my Model A Zenith draining the full 10 gallons of gas onto the garage floor before I learned. Don't even want to think about that 10 gallons filling the engine before you turn the key.
[ QUOTE ] It's not an overflow, it's an an air vent to provide ambient air pressure. [/ QUOTE ] Ahaa, so that's why all my motorcycle carbs have had little rubber hoses on the 'breather', to let the air equalise with clean air from somewhere under the rear fender
Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like if I am going to use the tank in the cowl I need a solenoid shutoff. Can anyone tell me who handles them for model A's or T's. Nutz
Snyders is usually one of the best places for A parts. If they dont have it ask on the forum at ahooga.com
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