fuel tank is "done"!

[Low87]

With many thanks to too many to list, I got the Summit fuel tank installed, plumbed (steel braided line), and wired (pink wire w/white stripe). I put 5 gallons of gas in it this weekend and it fired up on the first try!!! Ran a little rough, but I guess sitting for the past year or so will do that. Now I just need to get the fuel lines and wiring tucked away, the bad back on, and I'm off! My friend is coming over Thursday night to help me out with a few minor mechanical things to make it roadworthy, and I'll be in business. Here's a few pics. Any questions let me know, this project was fairly painless and fun.
BTW, Jeff, those two fittings in the sump are not an inlet and outlet, they are dual outlets. I had to cap one and then drill a bulkhead fitting on top of the tank for the return line.

[Low87]

another

[Low87]

Here's the new return line and the yet to be hosed vent tube.

[LOHRTBT]

Lookin Good Buddy!

[PHOENIX]

Looks good, when is she going to be back on the road?

[ocbaud]

are you cutting a hole in the bed so you can fill it up that way? if i were you, i would have the fillhole hidden behind the licence plate, like they have the rollpans with a hidden hitch


of course then you are just as well off as an old mustang.

and damn, that would be a lot of bending to fill it up, but it would look badass

[ocbaud]

oh yeah....


i want to do this too


how can i? lots of work? how much money?

[79BIG10]

SWEET!! Glad to see you get it going Greg. I know you're ready for it to be all back together. I'm with Eric in wondering how you're going to fill that thing up?

[bigblock73]

Loks good Greg...and thanks for the heads up!

Is it really necessary to run a return line though? You are running a mechanical fuel pump right?

...Jeff

[swervin ervin]

No Greg is running an electric pump. He's got TBI.

Looks great Greg. Glad you got it done. I know you are glad also.

[BigRed]

Originally posted by ocbaud
if i were you, i would have the fillhole hidden behind the licence plate, like they have the rollpans with a hidden hitch

The problem with that is gravity. You need to have the filler up a little higher. I vote for an inside the bed filler unless you can rig up something for a hinged taillight.

[bigblock73]

Don't forget greg, when you run the vent line you need to make a complete loop and put a fuel filter at the end...to keep dirt and debris out of the cell (from driving).

BTW - did you use the same dimensions I sent you for the front support? Your setup looks slightly different than mine and am just curious. Did you use aluminum as well?

...Jeff

[AirMale]

After you put the bed on can we see a shot of the rear and sides to show how tucked the tank is? And one more thing...is that a 16gallon cell?

[Low87]

For now I'm just going to put a boat filler neck on the bed floor until I can design and fund the taillight idea. Shouldn't be much stretching and bending, just drop the tailgate and have a seat while I fill up!
Like Mike said, I have TBI and an electric pump, so a return line is necessary.
Eric, like Scott said, the license plate will be below the fill hole, so that won't work.
Jeff, I used the exact same dimensions except I used square tube instead of c-channel. It works and I got it along with the aluminum strip for free! I'm doing a trade with the machine shop guy next to my Dad's shop. Thanks for the heads up on putting a filter on the end of the vent tube, I hadn't thought of that. What do you mean by a complete loop?
AirMale, I'll have plenty of pictures, don't worry! Yes, it's a 16 gallon cell.
Thanks for the compliments guys!

[bigblock73]

It will be hard to explain but here it goes..

run a vent line towards the front of the cell, then bend the line in a circle (a loop), zip tie it together so it stays put, and put your filter on the end. I am not exactly sure why you should do this, but my local speedshop (high perf orientated) told me to do this. They know what they are doing so I just listen.

If this doesn't make sense maybe you can ask the question in the engine and drivetrain forum, they might have a better explaination.

...Jeff

[N2TRUX]

Install looks great. If you do that clean of a job on the filler it will be awesome.
I'm curious though. Did you really need such a big funnel to fill it up???

[messed up c-10]

are you talking about that seed spreader thing in the background?

[raceman6135]

Originally posted by bigblock73
It will be hard to explain but here it goes..

run a vent line towards the front of the cell, then bend the line in a circle (a loop), zip tie it together so it stays put, and put your filter on the end. I am not exactly sure why you should do this, but my local speedshop (high perf orientated) told me to do this. They know what they are doing so I just listen.

The loop stops a possible siphon situation. If the hose just came out of the cell, up in an arc and then pointed down to the ground, air movement over the "mouth" of the hose (when the vehicle is travelling down the road) could "suck" fuel right out of the cell.

DJS

[BigRed]

Originally posted by N2TRUX
I'm curious though. Did you really need such a big funnel to fill it up???

Ha, ha, ha, you so funny!

[N2TRUX]

Originally posted by messed up c-10
are you talking about that seed spreader thing in the background?

Ok, seed spreader. I thought, DUDE! If you need a funnel that big, I can't afford your fuel bill...

[Low87]

Originally posted by ocbaud
oh yeah....


i want to do this too


how can i? lots of work? how much money?

Sorry, forgot to answer you.

I'll do a more detailed (with pics) of the install later. Anyone with a drill and a cutoff wheel can do it. Only mods to the chassis were moving the brake bracket back an inch, cutting a lip off the rear crossmember, and removing a crossmember.
Here's a brief description of parts and prices.
Summit 16 gal fuel cell - $170
20 ft Aeroquip braided hose (-6AN) - $80
-8AN to -6AN reducer - ~$10
-8AN cap - $6.50
-6AN hose end - ~$8
2 - 90 degree bulkhead unions (replaced straight vent tube fitting for clearance purposes/ other for return line on top of tank) - $20
bulkhead union locknuts - $5.25
insulated line clamps (8) - $12
36" 1.5x1.5 steel c-channel or sqaure tube - FREE (I got lucky)
36" 1.5x0.25 aluminum bar - FREE (lucky again)
I bought a lot of varying size grade 8 bolts, I figure about $10 total for that.
Also figure odds and ends, I had most of the other stuff I needed around the house. Most of that stuff was wire, connectors, electric tape, oil treatment (braided hose assembly), hose fasteners, etc.
I just bought things a little at a time as I could and put it together when I had everything. It was a fun project with some challenges. Definitely worth it.

[Low87]

Originally posted by N2TRUX
Install looks great. If you do that clean of a job on the filler it will be awesome.
I'm curious though. Did you really need such a big funnel to fill it up???

LOL, yup!

[BigRed]

Hey Greg, you get those nice, new seats in yet?

[love it loud]

Low87 - could you do me a huuuge favor and tell me all the parts I need for a fuel cell installation with a carburetor and electric fuel pump? The line will be going from cell to fuel filter, filter to pump, then pump to carb. The installation of the cell and the line and stuff is the easy part, it's the AN fittings and connectors and stuff that confuse me. Never played with stainless before.. any help greatly appreciated..

[bigblock73]

If you are going to run a Holley elec pump w/regulator & a fram filter or similar, here is what you will need...

(7) 3/8 pipe to 6AN fittings (2 each for pump, filter, reg, and 1 for carb line inlet)

(1) 8AN to 6AN adapter

(1) 6AN 90 swivel (vent)

(1) 8AN cap

(9) 6AN hose ends

if you want to get fancy you can get some 90 deg swivels for your bends and eliminate 1 or more hose ends (depending on location of equip)

There are also little odds and ends you will need when actually installing, things such as line clamps, AN wrences (optional if you don't mind scratched fittings), screws/bolts, etc,,,

-Jeff

Sorry, not Greg...but I have done this mod before...can you tell?