Technical Model a fuel tank location ideas

Hi guys , I'm starting a Model A coupe build on an A ch***i,an early 60s style ,SBC, Muncie ,QC,etc , been done a hundred times , still way cool,
My question , what are the pros and cons of retaining and using the original fuel tank,as opposed to making and fitting a fuel tank in the trunk area
If I retained the original tank I would seal it up internally with a 3 stage product I've used on motorcycle tanks ,
I like the idea of the original tank ,but would like feed back on the idea ,eg ,room under dash area ,trunk area ,fuel lines in ch***is ,safety, etc etc
Your thoughts , ideas would be appreciated
Cheers
PJ

 

I've got a 31 pickup, the problems just get worse. I personally don't like the gas tank being inside the cab. Taking a hit in a Model A (god forbid) is never going to be good, I don't need to be on fire at the same time. Know what I mean?��

 

Good question.I'm in the middle of this too. I know its been covered, maybe some links/photos/ideas will be revived. In my 30 coupe I don't want tank in dash. I tried on a 32 tank in rear framerails, but looked awkward without fenders, so I'm left with behind seat, under rear window. But I'm tryin for tall, skinny so rumble seat is still usable.

"Tanks" have an option. But are there any junkyard-modern donor cars people have used? Other ideas?

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I made a "L" shaped tank for my '31 coupe that goes under the seat and then comes up in the trunk. Most of the volume is under the seat with not much space used up in the trunk. I still had room for the battery and a 6.00-16 spare. You can check it out on my build thread starting on page 6.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=647879

 

Weird as hell and makes no sense at all but ...

Having the gas tank in my lap model A style gives me the heebie jeebies for some reason yet having a gas tank under my balls motorcycle style doesn't bother me a bit ???

 

I've seen side tanks tucked up next to the frame.

Wonder why that is, we don't want a gas tank in our lap but we don't give a second thought to one between our privates.

 

I've been using the original tank in my '31 Tudor for close to thirty years. No issues yet and you sure don't have to run a very long fuel line.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=815482

Thread was called
Model A trunk mounted gas tank photos?

Borrowed this pic from Devin's post, he said its 'Tanks', I think it looks really clean behind seat, tall skinny, but doesn't take up all trunk space like some short wide cells do. Others?


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I agree. Never had a problem with a stock Model A fuel tank. Or my Model T. I can see building a smooth rod and wanting to eliminate that ugly cap sticking out of the cowl. But ole Henry built a lot of Model A's with many tanks under the cowl....or a part of it.
Don't do like a friend, remove the tank but not the filler and cap. Someone once filled the tank.....the floor!
They were never considered dangerous at any speed.

 

I am using the stock tank in my 31 Roadster. See know reason not two. I am putting in a flat head V8. I really like the looks of the tank in the interior. Since mine is a late 31 my steering column drop is not attached to the tank which is a plus as well.

 

From a safety point I guess weather the gas tank is in the rear trunk with a bulkhead between the trunk and the inside of the car or cowl style mounted up under dash,both could be dangerous depending on the type of accident ,area of impact eg ,rear ended ,rollover ,side impact,so to me both deals have good points and bad points
From a practical point the cowl mount seems simpler , no ch***is fuel lines ,no trying to mount a tank in trunk(more room ) ,manufacturing a tank ,fuel pump set up , gas filler location , venting, gas gauge ,and the tank is already there

What capacity is the original cowl mounted tank ,

Cheers
PJ

 

That's what I think about running the cowl tank. I think the most I have put in the tank is around 14 gallons.

 

Hey, Rusty, not sure how you got 14 gallons into that 11 gallon tank! Capacity is the only issue I have with the cowl tank - well that and it's awkward to fill, and stinks if you spill some and the windshield's open. I get just over 2 hours out of a tank at 60 mph, about an hour and forty minutes at 75!
Ralph

 

Hi , is that US gallons ,
Cheers

 

Well, seems like was the most I have ever put in it, which was empty to were I could see I was on vapors..... I know I have put more than 11 gallons in it. It's a 29 tank, if that matters. I fill it up till it's full up, have to hold the nosel out and hold the stupid vapor thing up, till you see it's getting close to being in the fill hole.

I've never found it awkward to fill, but then again, I have to about sit on the ground to fill our olds and 58 tbird since their spouts are behind the license plate.

My biggest wish would be a gauge to tell when it's getting low, I have run out of gas a few times.....

Cheers
Bryan

 

I have a 30, and 10+ gallons of gas in my lap doesn't thrill me either. Nor does putting it in the cabin behind the seat. Plus if you're gonna put some nice paint on the car, avoiding drips will be a challenge with a cowl fill.
Another thought no one else has mentioned so far - What are you planning on for a dash and instruments? By gutting the tank, you have lots of hidden under dash room (for an A anyway) for mounting instruments, wiring, and switches. If you want to modify the A chrome instrument panel to accept more modern gages, you will almost certainly need more depth behind that panel...which means into the tank space.
I have a rumble seat coupe, bought a 16 gall tank from Tanks, Inc (highly recommended), and mounted it and battery back there. Tanks Inc supplies your tank with sender, filler neck and cap, mounting straps, and even a rollover valve. Very well made, and all for ~$240. I was pleased. Only drawback of my location is that I gave up the rumble/trunk space.

 

Thanks for the info on the tank you used ,I also have a rumble seat which I didn't want to give up,so there's a heap of pros and cons to figure through for both scenarios,
I wasn't going to have a dash full of gauges ,and the car is going to be simple in the wiring department ,wiper ,lights ,ign ,so to need room under the dash won't be a problem,

 

I'm running the original cowl tank in my '30 coupe. No problems other than getting the **** out of it that ended up in there before I got the body. I think it must have sat outside with no cap on the tank for a while.
Anyway I can't see any reason not to keep with it - my old flattie runs fine with gravity feed to the mechanical pump and twin 97's. Besides if you're going to have a bad crash in a Model A there's plenty of other things to worry about!
I saw an old movie once where the gas pump attendant was refuelling a Model A coupe hot rod with the guy sitting inside smoking - and the windscreen was open! He said to the attendant "don't be spilling any gas on that hot engine or y'all could start a fire". I thought that was so funny!

 

Building mine now and have pondered this ? for some time as well.
Sorted it out like this: (my opinion, okay),
I'm equally concerned about fuel at my back or lap. Reality is that a release of fuel in an accident could change life as I know it either way.

Gauges, you're running them or not. I am not.

Cowl fill, you like the look or don't. I like it.

Mine is a late 31, the "safest" of the cowl tank designs, (column not attached, pet**** outside the cab).

Fuel capacity is lacking in the stock tank. I'm in a hot rod coupe, I'll take a fuel break and a stretch.

Mine will have its stock tank.


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The tank I am planning for one of my hot rod A's will be as wide as the body will allow and fit as a seatback panel or you may think of it as a divider between the p***enger compartment and the trunk. Being this wide and this tall will mean that about 5" wide at the bottom will mean a large capacity without taking up room in the trunk.
For the safety nazis, there is NO safe place on a Model A. You dont want it on your lap, or at the rear or on the frame sides, so theres no place left

The stock tank works just fine

I am glad to see a place for traditional hot rods ONLY
Heres my post from last year

Old 03-18-2012, 12:31 PM #218
manyolcars
Old School HAMBer

Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: .....
Posts: 4,930

Default Re: The modern HAMB
Wouldnt it be nice if the HAMB had a sub-forum for traditional hot rods and customs ONLY? No International trucks, no 48-52 Dodges, no dog threads, house threads, airbag threads, boat threads, or modern car threads.

 

As far as being awkward to fill. Look at it this way, it matters not which side of the gas pump you pull up to. The cowl filler works equally well from either side.

 

I have a 28 chrysler coupe, also don't like having the tank in the car with me, but it has to go in the trunk, nowhere else. So....I got busy and built a full steel firewall behind the seat, sealed up the trunk, I hope if I live through a crash I won't burn up. It was the only solution I had.

 

I went with a tank in the trunk of my coupe,my org. tank was junk.Made a good solid tank,with vent tube going down and out,(going to seal it up and insulate this winter). Was not to worried about trunk space,if I go somewhere I travel light.Running a fuel line was easy.As was mentioned earlier under the dash there is now plenty room for your wiring ,and gauges.I even have a glove box.

 

Probably cuz yer motor cycle aint got doors or a seat belt. Gas tank under yer balls would be a model T

 

On My Brookville '31 with flat floor option on bobbed and pinched '32 rails I put a Tank's tall, thin, and wide tank under the "tulip panel with an .090"aluminum firewall between the tank and p***enger compartment.
Fire wall is anchored at top and bottom , but has about 1/8" gap both sides that I plan to seal up with some sort of fire resistant sealer. Anybody got any ideas on what sealer to use? Didn't want a closer fit because of possibility of squeaks, etc.

 

Hey man, phew!!! Thanks for pointing out where my balls are

 

PJ, does the LVVTA manual say anything about "A" tanks? Even if my roadster body was a steel one I'd still be putting the tank behind the seat, 1 for safety, leaks, venting... .2 room all the electrics, gauges... behind the dash. 3 cheap and easy, just like me.

Scotty

 

I'm putting the tank behind the seat and a full bulkhead. About 16 gallons. Made by my friend Barry Miles. He mostly builds tanks for industrial and agricultural purposes. However, also finds time for the occasional custom automotive tank. Obviously cuts down on trunk space. Something that I am willing to give up for the added safety of a bulkhead between me and the tank.

 

Orginial is my vote. 6 model A's so far, and all but 1 were orginial . As for dash, I have been using the 32 steel or fibergl*** dash, just cut a round hole for the gas gauge to show through. Works great

 

That's a nice looking tank.