Fuel Tank Construction

eliotmansfield · Post by **eliotmansfield** » Mon May 08, 2006 1:21 am

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

Posted by email.

krisr · Post by **krisr** » Mon May 08, 2006 3:29 am

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.

eliotmansfield · Post by **eliotmansfield** » Mon May 08, 2006 1:02 pm

did try to find a cell that would fit, as that would of been easier. Here's my cardboard mockup.

krisr · Post by **krisr** » Mon May 08, 2006 2:46 pm

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...

flyguyeddy · Post by **flyguyeddy** » Tue May 09, 2006 5:16 am

what is that for? it appears to be for a locost, but i may be wrong...

eliotmansfield · Post by **eliotmansfield** » Tue May 09, 2006 8:01 am

Dakar 4x4.

bertelli_1 · Post by **bertelli_1** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:47 am

I'd stick with a cardboard one. Apparently that ally doesn't half buckle when YOU try and weld it.....

wedge446 · Post by **wedge446** » Mon May 15, 2006 2:19 pm

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..

78Spit1500Fed · Post by **78Spit1500Fed** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:00 am

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

eliotmansfield · Post by **eliotmansfield** » Tue May 16, 2006 11:14 am

I like the weighted hose idea - how novel!
Had a complete nightmare trying to TIG this thing up, the ally warps like crazy.

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