Building a stainless steel gas tank questions..

[abadsvt]

Well the other day i was about ready to call Fuel Cell Guy to finally order a gas tank when i thought, why don't i just build one. I deal with stainless alot since it is my business. I own a HVAC (Heating and Air) company and i have all the tools to bend up, shear, and weld it together. The problem is that i have never built one nor do I know what is important when building a gas tank. I have a ton of 18g stainless from a left over job. Is that thick enough? I don't plan on building a big tank but something around 15gal. I figured that if it doesn't come out perfect i can always pay feul cell guy to build me one. So I want to give it a try. Does anyone know of a link or pictures of what is inside a gas tank. I know there should be baffels to the gas doesn't swash around but what do they look like? What internal fuel pump should i go with for a fuel injection motor? Any comments or pics would be very much appreciated. Thanks alot and have a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Josh

[BobbyK]

Depends on your needs.Carb or fuel injection.

The internal baffeling is the most important design feature,otherwise it's just a box.

Some baffels running from front to back with holes along the bottom edge to allow fuel to get to the pick-up but not allow it to slosh around and airate too much.

I'll try and find a pic.I know I saw one of a tank partially built.

[1967j]

I have a blue print to a 28 gallon aluminum fuel tank if it would help?

[abadsvt]

Originally Posted by 1967j

I have a blue print to a 28 gallon aluminum fuel tank if it would help?

Yes it would. I can just make it smaller! Thanks alot. I don't seeing it being very difficult but i can see that there is a couple important things to consider when building it and those are the things i would like to know. I hope that makes sence. Thanks alot

[abadsvt]

Originally Posted by BobbyK

Depends on your needs.Carb or fuel injection.

The internal baffeling is the most important design feature,otherwise it's just a box.

Some baffels running from front to back with holes along the bottom edge to allow fuel to get to the pick-up but not allow it to slosh around and airate too much.

I'll try and find a pic.I know I saw one of a tank partially built.

I would love to see that pic if you can find them. I am most likely doing an LS1 motor so fuel injection pump is needed. When i was thinking about about what baffels look like i thought about a piece of stainless that has about 1/2 gap on the bottom and only goes up 3/4 of the height of the tank. That way gas can get into each area easily. The things i don't know though is how many baffels, how large of vent tube should i use, is there a trick to venting it so i doesn't poor out when i fill it up with gas? Thanks alot for helping!

Josh

[1967j]

one problem i dont no how to post pictures ahah :/

[abadsvt]

can you email me the pic and i can post it? To post a pic all you have to do is go to post reply not quick reply and below the box where you type there is a button saying manage attachments. You click on that and a pop up comes up. There is where you load your pic but it has to be 100kb or less and no wider than 641 pixels wide. If you need more help i don't mind walking you through it. If you just want to email me then my email is abadsvt@yahoo.com

Josh

[1967j]

there i learned how hopefully

[john]

Heres a thread showing a partially finished aluminum tank by fuel cell guy.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=112745

[71swb4x4]

Here are your fuel pumps: http://www.yogisinc.com/results.cfm/...73/product.htm

[Kid]

here are a couple of pics that might help, this is an aluminum tank but the same process applys to stainless.
determin the dimensions, then start cutting the panels, if you have access to a press break, (or a sheet metal brake will work for the 18g. stainless)
1. bend up bottom & ends from 1 piece to save some welding

[Kid]

don't forget the baffles, depending on size, you might want to install 1, or 2.
On this one, I cut the corners off the bottom of the baffle, & keep the top at least a 1/2" below the top to allow fuel transfere.

[Kid]

I had to recess an area for the in tank fuel pump (2005 Trailblazer with 5.3).
You might find a pump assy. that will fit your depth, I was not so lucky. this tank is 9.5" deep so I had to recess the pump 1.7".
The extra circle on the right is where a sending unit will mount.
This set up will use nut plates to screw into to hold the pump assy. You can get creative on figuring out how to mount the pump assy, but it must be air tight.

[Kid]

Last but not least, be sure that it don't leak. You dont want to have to fix any welds after you have put fuel in it.
This is a shot of pressurizing the tank. I like to use this clamp to keep the tank from "ballooning". there is a reason pressure vesels are round, flat panels can't take the PSI.
I don't go over 5 PSI when checking for leaks.
Pressure tank then go over the seams with soapy water & look for bubbles.
Look real close because gas will find leaks that air wont.
With the 18G. stainless, spend the time to get real good fit, to get good welds. I hope this helps ya abadsvt.
Have fun, its not hard, but does involve some labor.
Larry

[shifty]

Beware of the design above. I don't think it's possible to fill the double hump. I would limit the hump to the same side of the tank that the pump and vent is on. Otherwise, you would need to vent both humps. Be careful when you vent the humps - make sure the vent line is at least an inch above the highest point of the tank or you can create a siphon situation. Some people I have seen go an extra step and coil the vent line around ... this prevents direct drain-out, which stops siphoning from happening.

[shifty]

PS - like the previous poster mentioned - vacuum. Make sure it's sealed. FuelCellGuy posted a statement like this:

Weld the tank shut, completely shut with no holed in it. Let it sit up and cool off for a few hours, the air inside will cool and the tank sides will suck in from the vacuum effect. If the tank is totally sealed, when you poke or drill a hole in it, it should suck air in.

[Kid]

Hey shifty, I'm not sure what you mean by "the double hump"? This tank has no "hump", just a 36" x 17" x 9.5" deep rectangle cube.
I have built over 20 fuel tanks so far for fellow rodders & if this one don't work, It will be a first..

[FarmTruk]

Dumb question, but...

What is the advantage of an in-tank fuel pump. I know it can be a cleaner install than an in-line pump, but are there other issues? Cost, pressure, GPH, ect. I had a '76 280Z with FI that had in-line fuel pump from the factory. It was a heck of a lot easier to replace when it went out. I know it wasn't an LS1, but it still put out over 100PSI.

[BowTieOgre]

I think the big advantage I heard was the in tank pump stays cooler which promotes longer life of the pump. A lesser advantage might be the noise factor...ive heard tale of some LOUD external pumps.

Im still awaiting the arrival of my FCG tank for my LT1 project and will post pics when it arrives.

[71swb4x4]

kid - I am pretty sure shifty is referring to the tank pictured in the drawings. It has the cutout for the crossmember on top, giving it a double hump.

[Kid]

71sbw4x4, thanks for pointing that out, my bad, sorry Shifty, you had me scratching my head.
Larry

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by Kid

here are a couple of pics that might help, this is an aluminum tank but the same process applys to stainless.
determin the dimensions, then start cutting the panels, if you have access to a press break, (or a sheet metal brake will work for the 18g. stainless)
1. bend up bottom & ends from 1 piece to save some welding

Good Morning KID---Where in Kansas are you? I hope that I am not robbing the forum, just looking for more depth in fuel tanks. I see you are tied to Boeing (possibly Wichita), My son lives there on the South end. The day will come that I want a tank for my 68 and I am would like to see yours. I live in between Emporia and Kansas City. I am also a member of the Genuine Chevy GMC truck club of KC, maybe you have been to one of our truck nationals. If not you should come, later this year.

[BobbyK]

I think that was it.



Hopefully KID can help more than I.

[Kid]

piecesparts, would be happy to show you & help any way I can, I live 25 miles south of Wichita, in Wellington. Let me know when the truck nationals are, would like to attend.

[piecesparts]

Kid--The Nationals are Sept. 7th, 8th, & 9th of 2007. We hold them in Liberty , Missouri; just around the corner from what used to be Chevy Duty (Classic Parts of America).

Wellington is not far from the Haysville area and just on the way to Ark City. That is where Halibrand has their show, each year---been there a couple of times.