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Fuel Tank Construction

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 1:21 am
by eliotmansfield
Possibly o/t - but close I guess.
I need to make a new fuel tank, 15 gallons. I've spent ages searching the net for any information about what spec ally, design ideas and how thick to make it.
 
It will be made from Aluminium, I'm thinking 1050 grade and 14 Gauge thick - I'm going for the that thickness because I cant roll any swages into thinner material to provide strength.
 
I've got a cardboard mock-up that I can post a picture of, if anyone fancies giving a critique.
 
Eliot

Posted by email.

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 3:29 am
by krisr
My fuel tank is 2.2mm thick sheet with internal baffles and a built in sump. It may be worth your while just buying an RCI fuel tank from Summit Racing in the states and having it shipped over if it's just a box you're after.

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 1:02 pm
by eliotmansfield
did try to find a cell that would fit, as that would of been easier. Here's my cardboard mockup.

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 2:46 pm
by krisr
Yeah I'd stick with 14ga alloy sheet for that. Also in my tank the baffle is in the middle of the tank to stop fuel sloshing side to side on cornering, you may consider adding a piece like that in yours to add more strength.

My tank...

Image

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 5:16 am
by flyguyeddy
what is that for? it appears to be for a locost, but i may be wrong...

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 8:01 am
by eliotmansfield
Dakar 4x4.

Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 8:47 am
by bertelli_1
I'd stick with a cardboard one. Apparently that ally doesn't half buckle when YOU try and weld it.....

Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 2:19 pm
by wedge446
I was planning on using a 16gal. fuel cell from summit and going to the junk yard and finding a gas tank from a newer dodge ram/dakota and cutting the fuel pump ring and bolting it to the fuel cell and using the ram/dakota fuel pump...The ram/dakota fuel pump has the level send and the sump built into it....
Just a untested idea..

Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:00 am
by 78Spit1500Fed
bertelli_1 wrote:I'd stick with a cardboard one. Apparently that ally doesn't half buckle when YOU try and weld it.....
HA HAAA!!!!

Ah, the art of aluminum welding. I have yet to master Steel MIG welding, I think I'll go straight to TIG when I venture there.

Elliot, that tank design looks good... is that piece out the bottom the sump? If this is going in a 4x4 you might consider a hinged pickup arrangement (Or a weighted hose) that will move with the fuel as you go more or less Horizontal.

-Brian

Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 11:14 am
by eliotmansfield
I like the weighted hose idea - how novel!
Had a complete nightmare trying to TIG this thing up, the ally warps like crazy.

ImageImage

See http://www.mez.co.uk/ms13.html for the whole sorry tale. :cry: