Hey all, I'm kickin around the idea of building a new fuel cell for my chevy II. I'm thinking I want to build it out of Aluminum, and go with the mustang style setup, where the top of the tank is the trunk floor. Here are the questions: 1. Do you see any reason NOT to go with that style of tank? I have 2x3 rails that would be perfect to bolt it to. 2. How thick of material should I use? I was thinking probably .100" for the top, and .062" for everything else, but those are just guesses... tell me why I'm wrong! 3. Where can you buy fuel cell foam, peferably for a reasonable price? 4. How soon will Frank (fab32) be well enough to tig weld this for me???
Is this an Aluminum can to hold an existing fuel cell bladder ? OR are you planning an Aluminum fuel tank with foam inside ? Proper fuel cells,like the ones from ATL, come with a steel can for strength and durability. Either way,Speedway has foam.
I was planning a aluminum fuel tank with foam. Weight is a concern( you know how that whole hot rod thing works, right? ), so I don't know about a steel liner... and at that point, why wouldn't you just build a steel cell anyway? I just have a plastic cell right now, so I'd think that an AL unit would be just as safe.
The original mustangs catch alot of flak for their dangerous "drop in tank" trunk floor design. You should install some kind of substantial barrier between the rear seat and the truck, as the rear seat does little to keep gas from getting into the interior in the event of a rear collision. Of course if I was really concerned with safety I'd buy a volvo, but it's something to consider.
I already have a rear firewall installed, it's necessary to meet tech requirements with a battery/fuel cell in the trunk.
The plastic "fuel cells" ARE safer than an Aluminum tank. Aluminum is much more likely to split,crack,or tear in an impact. Which is why you don't see Aluminum fuel tanks in modern race cars at sanctioned events.Been there,done that. A friend of mine was trapped in a Methanol fuel fire, for WAY too long. He was unconcious,since the force of the crash broke his neck,and the incompetant "rescue workers" couldn't get near the car as it burned.His quilted Nomex suit,Nomex shoes,and Nomex gloves helped protect him, but his injuries were still mind blowing.He lost a few toes,one of his thumbs,both his Achilles tendons were burned through completely. Perhaps you've heard of Doug Wolfgang ? And don't forget,Gasoline burns hotter than Methanol. Not worth risking your Ass. If you REALLY NEED one more shiney thing on your car, put an Aluminum cover on the plastic cell. My 2 cents.Your results may vary.Batteries not included.
Ouch! That doesn't sound like any fun at all!!! The "shiny" factor has nothing to do with it, it'll probably end up spray bombed black anyway... I was just thinking that I could go with a custom fit cell, which would look much better than the plastic cell, and have more fuel capacity, so if I ever take this thing to the HAMB drags or something, I won't have to stop every hour for fuel! Then going with the "mustang" style would also give me some useable trunk space.
I built a 16 gallon fuel cell out of .125 Aluminum, and used one of Jegs aircraft style Caps on it. I TIG'd it together and also put a small sump in the bottom. I used a AN style "bulkhead fitting" in the sump for the fuel line. Mines mounted flush in the bed of my '65 F100.
We have foam in stock from RCI. I think the good Unk's story is rather unfortunate, but don't let it stop you. Its the first I've heard of that. I'd guess that if a wreck were enough to rip an aluminum cell, it would do the same to a plastic one. If you are afraid of a fire, just race without your harness... for quicker exits!
I built one for my A coupe. I used .063" 3003-H14. I added two baffles, which also gave structural support to the center. I also used the Speedway aircraft-style filler. It worked well, but it was surrounded by the frame and roll cage for protection.
A little different approach, but check out the July, 1999 issue of Street Rodder, page 154. Ron Ceridono steps through building a tank for his SpeedRodder project. Includes baffles and everything. The way he explains it is very straight-forward and actually make sense to me! I can actually see me building a tank some day. Hardest part is finding someone who can do aluminum TIG welding once you've gotten the pieces cut and bent.
Unkl Ian, I certainly have heard of Doug Wolfgang. He's one of the greatest drivers ever to make left hand turns. Frank
some were ,maybe the tec-o-matic? -- 60s style did a fuel tank build that i think would give you some of the info your looking for good luck tim
Summit sells the foam, its comes in "bricks". Don't think its listed in their catalog but I know they carry it. Jeffrey
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