Sorry if this is a silly question or one that's already been covered -
I've got an '86, and I had picked up an '88 tank with the expansion tank for it. I read in your sale thread on optional placement for lines and what not. Can a provision be made so the expansion tank can be attached, so that the lines on the tank can be placed for maximum capacity, without having to worry about fuel expanding and pushing through any seals?
Alternatively/additionally, would Tony be willing to make an aluminum version of that expansion tank? (I don't know if it's aluminum already or not... if it is, then I guess that's not necessary!)
And just to clarify, the extra space that gives it the roughly 13 gallon capacity is all towards the front of the car, right? I wouldn't want the tank to be pushed back any closer to the engine bay if possible.
Im not sure I understand the first question. Are you asking if on my aluminum tank can we add expansion lines on the tank? They are a part of the sending unit I believe, the only lines that mount to the tank itself are the fuel inlet and the vent tubes. Raising the vent tube is going to net the most capacity by reducing the air gap at the top of the tank before the pump shuts off. My tank has the vent tube at the very top, although I dont have an expansion tank, I have yet to have the fuel expand and overflow anywhere. To clarify, the one time fuel leaked out was when I was filling the tank and it came out the sender seal, most likely it wasnt seated correctly.
As far as making an expansion tank, Im sure he could make it though I looked at one and there are two challenges. The first is that it is in a very remote location and actually requires removing the rear clip to remove/install. The second is that it isnt exactly square edged and would take a lot of trial and error to make one that fits. We could solve these two problems by making a tank that would mount elsewhere on the car but until someone comes out and asks for a custom tank like that I dont really have the means to create one.
The extra space in my tank comes from expanding all sides and corners to the maximum that will fit in the hole. Looking at the stock tank, there is a lot of wasted space in the tunnel. You can tell by looking at my first post with the pics, my tank is physically the same size as the widest and highest points on the stock tank but its squared instead of rounded to utilize the space. The length is just about the same as a stock tank. It doesnt extend to the rear any more than a stock tank does.
My first question was asked out of ignorance. I do not know how the expansion tank connected to the main tank (the two parts were disconnected when I purchased them, and I had not looked closely at how they could connect). But you indirectly answered my question, via education, and directly answered my other questions, thank you!!
Not knowing any answers, whats the liability of building gas tanks ? Do they have to be approved, tested, DOT approved, etc. It just dont seem that easy than anyone who wants to can build a gas tank and operate it on the road. Is there any insurance liability issue? Will the insurance company pay a claim if it burns up in an accident? Just a few points to ponder.
You do have those folks out there that are building "rat rods" that they get plated for the road, and they're using kegs for gas tanks (and small kegs for radiator overflow tanks). So I would assume that if there are laws out there about gas tanks, they're not readily enforced.
Just read both this thread and the linked Sales thread in the Mall......Apparently, Joe and his welder friend had a falling out......His friend (At Sunrise Marine tanks) went on building them for a while, but that has stopped.......Someone said they had a file of dimensions and stuff for building them.....Possibly get that file and then find a >Good< welder.......(With flammables, it is critical to have someone doing the work with.....quality) (Also, do not attempt to weld on a tank with fuel in it-even vapors(There was a news article a few years ago about 2 geniuses who did that....)
