Today I picked up the stainless gas tank my sheet metal bending buddy made for the '36 Fordillac. It's stunning! Even with the laser mask on, it was clear that the tank is a work of art. He asked me if I'd figured the capacity, I replied that no, I'd estimated it a somewhere around 15 gallons He said that I was a little off, it was closer to 21! Now, I'll be able to make it between gas stations with that monster Caddy 472! I polished the bottom and sides of the tank when I got home, and mocked it up under the car. Had to cut holes in the trunk floor for the fill tube and vent, and hung it with a couple of bungee cords. I was going to have him shear a couple of 2" wide straps from stainless to hang it, but now I'm thinking some brass or copper would look nice. Give a little accent. We'll see. The car is getting FAR nicer than I'd originally planned, I'll have to really be careful with the body prep now, don't want the rest of the car to make that gorgeous tank look bad! I also clenched my teeth and cut a hole in the left side of the body for the Chris Craft gas filler cap and mocked that up. Have to find a filler pipe, 2 1/4" pipe thread, for that, or make one, but the look is pretty cool. It's the only thing that I'll need to have plated for the entire project. Originally, I'd planned on leaving it patina'd, but can't now with the rest of car being detailed nicely. Anyway, I'm stoked about having the tank done. Now, it'll be fun getting the copper gas lines routed, and plumb the brakes. It's starting to be a real car!
Thanks. Yup, I made those jack stands 30+ years ago, from a tip by may favorite hot rod journalist, Tex Smith in R&C! Far and away the handiest tools I've ever owned!
Don't use copper or brass for tank straps, not a lot of strenght and if it viabrates it can break. Use the stainless and fab some copper or brass to cover the stainless.
Well, I wondered if that'd be a good idea, as both are soft, but it'd sure look neat against the polished stainless tank ! I'll probably take the easy way out and just have him shear some stainless straps, polish them and call it good. As for copper gas lines, why not ? My boat, a '54 Chris Craft, has copper lines from tank to fuel pump, and from pump to carb, and a copper line for the PCV. Looks good, works good, polishes up beautifully, and it certainly takes more abuse, pounding and vibration, than the car will. It's lasted 54 years. I like copper, looks "traditional" on a hot rod, and it's easy to fabricate. Plus, I have a roll hanging on the garage wall !
Does the boat hit potholes...??? Does the boat drive several hundred miles at a time (the '36 is a hot rod, right... and it will get driven, right?)...??? Does the boat have suspension that travels...??? Does the boat travel roads laden with old shredded tires, rocks, cans, bottles, turtles, tree branches and any other assorted trash daily...??? But then again, who am I...??? It's your car... R-
Not to be negative, or dense, but I'm missing the point of your comment. The boat has NO suspension (crossing a wake, big waves=potholes), a solid mounted engine (lotsa vibration), and when it gets used, it gets used ALL DAY (round and round the lake skiing/wakeboarding/tubing=hundreds of miles). If you've ever been in one, you know a boat at speed, in chop or rough water is a pretty harsh ride. Perhaps I should take you for a ride sometime. Do you frighten easily? Can you swim? The fuel lines in the car will be tucked up on the inside of the frame rails, mounted in clips, there'll be a short rubber hose at the tank end, the fuel pump, and a vibration coil between the pump and the carb. Not arguing, if there's a specific reason copper isn't acceptable, if properly mounted and routed, I wish you'd be more specific. I guess I don't see the issue here...
flynbrian 48,Rock on with the copper lines. Just use good maintenance practices,secure everything, allow adequate strain relief and provisions for expansion and contraction.Theres been some damn near pissin' contests on here before regarding the same subject.Lots of good info brought forth, basically boils down to whats posted above.Do a search.
WELLLLL !! My .02 re. copper lines. My '51 Seagrave fire truck not only had copper fuel lines ,the brake lines were also copper. Automotive copper tubing normaly has a heavier wall than plumbing copper.As said before keep it firmly mounted as viabration will kill copper. Back before nylon/plastic tubing for truck air brakes became the norm most trucks had copper. We stocked both standard and HD copper where I worked. HD was thicker wall and was what was used in truck air brake systems.
No thanx, it's too cold right now...No, I don't, I drive a hot rod and a kustom...Yes, I can, very well, I have awards to prove it. I said it's your car. Do your own thing. If you're comfortable with it, go for it. I wouldn't do it on mine. R-
The Jalopy Journal
