Trunk placements

mrsbojigger

OK! Since the panel above the rear axle was raised to accomodate the "C" notch in the frame, the tank was an extreme tight fit. It is a 22 gallon tank from a late model GM truck. I had to modify the top of the tank on the right side. A good heavy plastic mallet took care of that. Now it's in place as if it were made to fit there. The spare tire will be below the trunk floor along with the jack. I am using a VW Vanagon tire on a 5" Ford rim. IT WORKS! The tire is only 7" wide so it will fit snugly in place next to the large Chevy muffler that has 2 1/2" inlet and outlet. Lots of good breathing for the engine. You will also notice the new (made from scratch) panel directly below the trunk. I made it in 5 separate pieces.
Peace,
Chaz

Ol racer

Almost looks too nice to carpet over the panels

rambos_ride

Chaz,

I thought about just sending you an email, but I thought this would make a good discussion point for others contemplating how to tackle a custome fuel system...

I am VERY concerned about your choice of fuel tank.

The tank pictured is designed and manufactured to be located outside of the occupants tub of the vehicle - which I consider the trunk to be...that tank probably doesn't contain much in the way of baffels or foam to stabilize the fuel, and doubtfult it has any kind of rollover shut off system.

Where as the newer aluminum aftermarket fuel cells have all of the modern safety options and you can get them with or without an internal fuel pump.

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+115+%2D128260&D=%2D128260

I know that the dimensions may not seem to fit the shelf area...what I was going to do with the 49 was use 2 - 20x18x10 - 15 gallons fuel cells, with a crossover switch and 2 custome fillers.

This would give you a combined 30 gallons of fuel - or if you like..run 100 octane racing fuel in 1 and premium in the other.

Your other option would be a custom built fuel cell, with the new safety features for maybe $200-400.00 more than a prebuilt tank would cost.

Seriously, you're doing such beautiful work and have put so much thought and time into this car...don't skimp or cut corners in this critical area!

I'm off my soapbox for now....:D

mrsbojigger

Dan,
What about this one?
Its the Summit SUM-290114. It is a polyethylene tank. Its a circle track tank with foam inside. It's measurements are 34L x 18w x 11H and holds 22 gallons.
Also, I looked thru some of the other Summit tanks and they don't seem to have sumps. Don't I need a sump with the fuel injection system?
Chaz

Ol racer

Great observation by Rambo....Fuel Cell is the way to go; I have one in my '50 and 22 gal should be amply supply. Even so I try to seal 'every hole' to have a secure firewall and always run the fuel line below the floor along the frame. If go with electric pump, add a few dollars for the oil press safety shut off switch.

rambos_ride

mrsbojigger wrote:

Dan,
What about this one?
Its the Summit SUM-290114. It is a polyethylene tank. Its a circle track tank with foam inside. It's measurements are 34L x 18w x 11H and holds 22 gallons.
Also, I looked thru some of the other Summit tanks and they don't seem to have sumps. Don't I need a sump with the fuel injection system?
Chaz

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2D293220%2DS&N=700+%2D128260+115&autoview=sku

I'm not sure about the polyethylene tanks, but the aluminum one in this link comes with a sump.

Unknown

Morning all, I was concerned on the tank location,at first, but after thinking back, remember all the ol' trucks had them behind the seat. Ol' Racer kind of covered some concerns. There would be sloshing, and such, but your vent tube should take care of it. I have been using the 33 gallon Chevy van tanks in my cars, cutting the trunk floor as Chaz did, and lowering them in, and sacrificing some trunk depth. I love the big tanks,due to distance,yes I drive the daylights out of all I build. BUT after studying this thread a bit, the location and tank are starting to intrige me. Chaz, could you post a pic, or drawing on the outside to show me your new(?) gas door, and how it is plumbed,if it isnt to hard to get? I have a good idea how it would go together, but would interested in yours. Your location has it's good points and i believe more room than my idea. Bill



PS Chaz, your work is looking simply fantastik, keep on brother keep on! lol

rambos_ride

The location of the test tank is not of concern, just the type of tank.

I do remember those trucks with the fuel tank behind the seat, and obviously there are millions of miles on vehicles like that. But - there have been many documented catastrophe's as well because of this design.
(I fondly remember many of those trucks as always having a fuel smell in the cab )

Chances are with the way Chaz does work - all top notch - he'd be able to make this ol' tank work and never have any problems or issues.

But , these newer racing fuel cells go above and beyond with the safety design and hardware ~ plus any modern closed fuel system will not have issues with fuel smell as long as the filler tube is sealed correctly.

Ol Racer mentions a "firewall" and that's exactly what I'd planeed to do in the 49 seal the trunk area from the cabin ...added measure of safety...quiter too!

Even if you had a custom aluminum fuel cell made I doubt you'd be out more than $500.00...

Which is no more than the cost of a good custom made radiator...and much more important in terms of safety.

mrsbojigger

This is truly interesting! This thread started out about sheet metal work and placement of items needed in the trunk area but has made an abrupt turn into a safety issue. Great! That's good! Good dialog among friends!

This was my thought process about the fuel tank.
1. Cheap. Cost only $50 including in tank's fuel pump
2. I didn't have to make it.
3. It fit the area well.
4. Designed by engineers & used in thousands of vehicles worldwide.
5. It was not a Pinto tank
6. It is placed well up and out of the "Crash Zone"
7. My 1972 Chevy pickup had the gas tank behind the seat IN the cab. It was sold to a young married couple with a baby. Sadly, later I found out that the truck was T-boned in the right side by someone running a stop sign at a high rate of speed killing the young wife and baby. THERE WAS NO FIRE.

And yes, I was planning to seal off the cabin from the trunk.

Peace,
Chaz

Unknown

Lot of good points made here. I have used fuel cells also, and can not argue about there integrity. I used to drive stock cars on the dirt, and now how valuable all this info is. Now to weigh out all input, and make a decsion on how to do mine. I would also seal it off, but I believe it would be ok, but it really did scare me at first impulse. Have a good one guys. Bill (by the way, it is 30 degrees here at 6:44 Sunday night)

mrsbojigger

OK, OK! I'm listening to the wisdom of all of you wise Sages. I removed the gas tank and will be replacing it with a fuel cell. I sat it out by the curb for trash pickup but it was gone in less than an hour. At least I won't be tempted to put it back in the car since it is GONE.
It's good to have you guys to monitor me when I get hair-brained ideas.
Peace,
Chaz

rambos_ride

mrsbojigger wrote:

OK, OK! I'm listening to the wisdom of all of you wise Sages. I removed the gas tank and will be replacing it with a fuel cell. I sat it out by the curb for trash pickup but it was gone in less than an hour. At least I won't be tempted to put it back in the car since it is GONE.
It's good to have you guys to monitor me when I get hair-brained ideas.
Peace,
Chaz

Well at least you got to mash on that old tank with a sledgehammer before sending it to the curb

You know - If you were building a rust ol' rat rod - with plywood floors and jackstands for seats - and no seat belts ~
I'd have kept my mouth shut

I'm not sure what you were planning on doing in the trunk upholstery wise but even if the fuel cell area is covered up you'll be much happier with the looks of either aluminum or poly (think of the safety features as freeebies!) - and if no one else ever see it you'll know...and we'll all know

mrsbojigger

Gas tank on hold for now!
Working on recessed compartment for spare tire. I am using a VW Vanagon tire as a spare since it is so narrow and there is not much room between the spare tier compartment and the ground once the car is lowered. The VW tire is only 6.82 wide at it's widest point. You will notice an upsweep to a different level in the recess. This is so the most rearward part of the recess will clear the ground between the bottom of the rear tire and the back bumper. The shallower part of the compartment will be used for tools. A hinged cover will fit over all of this later.
Peace,
Chaz

Ol racer

Your Project is looking really Great...



only thing I might suggest is compare a small 'unilug donut' for spare and perhaps a piano hinge for your lid cover. I like them for their tight radius.

mrsbojigger

Hi Ol racer,
I had thought of the donut spare but the car is going to be really low so I felt I needed something real close to the diameter of the tires I will be using. This one is a perfect fit and allows for the Chevrolet muffler to fit snugly in the right side of it.

Piano hinge sounds great!

Peace,
Chaz

rambos_ride

Sure....show us the "decoy-hidden-compartment"...you know...the one meant for the Po-Po to find

Where's the real "hidden" compartment for moonshine and various other things, cuban cigars and the like?

mrsbojigger

Lot's of Laughs, Dan!
I'll never tell.
Chaz