I thougt maybe someone may be able to help me out. I just built me a steel tank... It's 24 x 28 x 10 (about 30 gallons) Basically it's a box with baffles. It has a 28 x 24 flat bottom. I never thought about the gas in the bottom I won't be able to use because it can't be picked up. I DO NOT have the top welded on yet. I am guessing some type of sump pump.... any ideas how I can add it without having to start all over. (any pics are GREAT also) Can someone give me an idea on how to change my tank so it'll pick up about all the gas. Also, I've got the 'box' built with the baffles installed... NOW WHAT all do I need to finish up. Can someone tell me the parts I need to get. I have a sending unit that came with a "Classic Instruments" gauge cluster package I bought. Other than that I don't have anything. Any info would be helpful. I had plans of someone building this for me... but I have been calling them for a couple months, and all I ever get is "soon I'll stop by and look to see what you need." So since I know how to weld, I just got me some 16 gauge steel and so far done it all by myself.. Finally... What would you advise for a fuel pump. Inside the tank or is outside OK. (The bed of the truck will have to be taken off if the pump needs work..)
whatz to worry, leaving the pickup tube off the bottom an inch don't hurt(leaves room for sediment to lay n not pick it up.weld on female threaded pipe fittings one near the bottom for a drain is handy, probably at least 1/4 pipe.....one close to top as possible for a vent fitting(at least 1/4).... you can use these to fill with air pressure to soap test the seams.BE SURE TO DO THIS,YOU WILL SURELY HAVE A LEAKER SOME WHERE. DO THIS BEFORE YOU PUT THE FILL TUBE IN ,AS THEY ARE LARGE AND A BIT HARDER TO PLUG OFF.,,,,,,goooood luck
Thanks for the reply. Maybe a few others will chime in.. I see the point about the sediment... of course on the other hand, I was guessing a low spot in the tank would catch the sediment, and I could empty it occasionally. You see all kinds of suggestions on how to do these things... One guy even suggested have duel pickups in the tank. I saw a thread that looked interesting somewhere else, but it had been dead for three years... I finished the inside of my tank today (welded in baffles and the bracing for them.) Figured I better get some info on my questions before going further. I "tested" the tank last night (Like I said it's just a 'box' with no lid yet) I welded the tank outside,.. then dropped inside and welded a nice bead along the inside of the seams also. So it's pretty much welded inside and out I filled it with water yesterday, and had one spot dripped this morning. Of course I know a 'pressure test" might show more areas. Love to hear some more input.
If you use an external pump, you'll want to make a siphon tube with an angle cut on the bottom. If you weld in a 1/4" pipe bung in the tank top, use a 3/8" tube to 1/4" pipe compression fitting and drill the fitting so the tube will slide through and lock it tight when the tube is just off the bottom of the tank. I don't see any need to be able to use every drop of gas in the tank. Leaving the bottom flat will work fine Blue
Seeing how you have the bottom flat, can you just mount the tank at an angle so 1 end (or side) becomes a sump? A suggestion: don't put the outlet or drain out the bottom of the tank. It'll get knocked off. when you pressure test your tank, 5-10 PSI is enough, more can become a bomb. Dish soap and water will find the leaks easily.
You're over thinking this. You don't need to pick up every bit of gas, hopefully you will NEVER get that low in your tank! Like the others said, use a pickup tube from the top, and angle cut, or put a 90* bend at the bottom.
Thanks for the advice. First about the external pump.. it's looking like I'll have no choice but to go that route. I suppose I should mount it as close to the tank as possible. Filter first, then the pump?? and I suppose ChopOlds is right, I could be over thinking this. I know this thing is NOT going to get great gas mileage, and I had in my mind the more it'll pick up the less I'll have to stop. But yes very well could be over thinking. Now this may seem like a silly question.. but what size fuel line do you run from the tank to the pump and on up to the motor (It's a 350 SB Chevy) I'm wanting to go out and buy all this stuff so I can finish it while I'm working on it before I move on to something else. Unless I am missing something I suppose I need: A fuel neck some type of inflow and outflow (pickup) tubes some sort of vent and the fuel line. anything else. does anyone have recommendation on what is best or functions the best.
tanks inc. has a all the parts u need (pickup tube, fill tube, etc.),i never had a problem with they're parts or service. also make sure your tank is supported well gas is heavy 8.? pounds per gallon.
It's time to post up pictures of what you are building. You don't need to, or want to get every last ounce out of a daily driver gas tank. You need a filler, a pickup, a vent, and a sending unit. 2 baffles and done. Shouldn't need any internal bracing, and a static water fill test wont show leaks. You also need to figure how its mounted. Capture by straps OEM style to most later tanks, or flanges like most earlier tanks. You shouldn't have to worry about repair or service access to the tank since it will be all new. A filter between the tank and pump and done. An electric pump should be as close to the tank as practical. A mechanical pump just needs a filter any place in line between tank and pump. 3/8 line will provide plenty of fuel.
Just an aside... I've always figured if I were building a tank from scratch I'd put in two pickups. One mounted two or three gallons higher than the other, with an external valve to switcher between the two. Like a bike or old VW. But I'm the idiot that is constantly trying to run out of gas.
Its not done yet right? Just put about a 3" sump in it and run your pickup in the sump. Don't drop your fuel sender into the sump it won't hold enough fuel to make any difference in the whole scheme of things.
I like a tank that leaves a gallon or two when it runs out. Then you can "rock" the car from side to side when it first starts quitting, and get to a gas station on the dregs. The rocking sloshes the gas back and forth, giving the pump a drink every pass. You can go twenty miles or so like that with some cars. Tough to explain to the Smokies though!
I built a steel tank for my roadster when I first built the car. Last winter I went to Yogis' (Tanks Inc.) and bought a universal 64-68 Mustang tank and in tank fuel pump and installed it in the trunk. The tank is very close to the size you're looking for, just not quite as deep. it holds about 16 gallons. I'm not sure why you need 30 gallons but if 16 will work this tank is a real nice unit and all your trouble and future worries are over. I'm glad I made the change, plus the in tank pump is WAY quiter than the brand new Holley Red pump I had. If you decide to move forward with what you have ( and I'm not saying you should'nt ) PM me and I'll let you have the Holley pump pretty cheap.
WOW you guys are a wealth of information.. I don't have any pics yet. But I'll try and get some. I did put a pair of baffles in the tank, and even tack welded them to the bottom and sides to help support the tanks shape. To hold the tank I plan on using some supports... Since we brought it up.. would it be better to put support tabs on the side of the tank (they'll sit (bolt) on the chassis) or would it be better to make some tabs that the tank sits on. Since it tank is 28" wide I figure I better also run a couple straps under it also.
Cut a square hole in the bottom of the tank and weld on an extension. Make it bigger than the hole and it will trap any sediment or water that rools across the bottom. Put an extra fitting directly above the hole with a plug in it so that you can place a tube down into the well and suck out the water and sediment if necc.
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