Making a fuel tank ?

[makeitfit]

Right o guys I'm going to have a go at making a new fuel tank
I tried a refurb on the old one but decided poo to it, I've gone that far with the Black Pearl, I might as well do a custom tank :sly
Not going mental with alu or stainless, just simple old iron, but , advise time please.
What gauge do you reckon ? Any quality of steel to worry about ?
Does the inner surface need coating ?

 

[solarman216]

depends a lot on where you are going to put it, I made a day tank designed to go inside at the rear of my off road motor in order that I could bin the main tank that always hits dirt, but never got round to fitting it and it went out with the scrap a while ago, however it was around 4 galls capacity and made of 2mm flat plate, the reason for that is it is in my estimation far too difficult to weld anything much thinner and get it absolutely fuel tight, paint the outside do not treat the inside with anything at all, or it will end up in your filter, Rick

 

[makeitfit]

I'm putting it in the same place but angling the back end to avoid departure angle cuffings. Also lifting it up 50mm Going for reasonable size still as it'll need to stay a road goer :thumbs
I'm thinking of using the original pick up so I can keep a fuel gauge too.

 

[solarman216]

whatever your lad reckons he can weld with 100% sealing, if you plan on fitting the original tank unit once you alter the tank shape it will no longer be accurate, but I am sure you realise that, go for it, Rick

 

[makeitfit]

if you plan on fitting the original tank unit once you alter the tank shape it will no longer be accurate, but I am sure you realise that, go for it, Rick

Yeah it'll be representative at least, well near empty anyway :augie
and yes defo a welding job for the boyo. I'll just cut n bend n clean n paint and make coffee :lol

 

[jims-terrano]

Good luck pete, not heard owt about black pearl for ages so wondered if you'd given up only it. Don't forget pics:thumbs

Also you've gone red pal, need to get your hand in ya pocket:lol:lol

 

[Bigbunny2007]

Pictures as you go along Pete!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Banshee]

Pics Petey Boy, Pics!!!!!!

He's gone RED!!!!

DON'T PANIC

 

[Terrano Steve]

I recently fitted a new tank to the blitz. I bought the tank from e.bay it was a square tank with no fancy shape probably a diesel tank from a road compressor or similar. I cut off and welded up unwanted outlets then welded in a flange cut from a Vauxhall tank to take the fuel pump as said above steel was fairly thick so it was easy to weld. The tank is about 2" higher than standard if I had a body lift it could have gone higher, yes it does have less capacity but .... If you could find a similar tank it would save a lot of work.

 

[makeitfit]

Pics n that

Here's my first sketches and cardboard profile template.
I'm using this 1st template to check it fits in the right place etc

Here's the first full 3d cardboard version

The cut out at the top is for my rear winch rope. Winch is inboard.

A few angles here n there add clearance and extra strength.

First in situ trial, and as can be seen, I'll be making alterations :lol

departure angle looks ok and reasonably clear of the tank, but I'm going to raise it all up about 30mm I reckon

Mark 2 version with angled top side for easier construction and room for me rope :thumbs

Here's the back side of the tank (well infact it's the faceing front side :doh)
I'm using the original sender/pickup thingy. A bit of creative bending will make the float reasonable acurate still.

Had the steel folded in the blacksmiths and got this
The side panels are over size as I'll scribe them to fit eventually.

Profile shot . The top bit will be cut later to create the rope slot .

The boy got plugged in and started the welding . Doing short zips alternatly to prevent warping.

The ends are now trimmed back to my cardboard box former.

Another trial fit. It's a bit higher than MK1 version so I'm happy with this I think.

One end welded in place now

Progress continues including cunning ideas to be revealed soon :naughty

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

:bow is all I can think of :lol

 

[ceny]

Wow, i wish I could cut and weld steel like that.

I designed two 500l aluminium fuel tanks for the Fairline squadron 42 about 8 years ago. Like your tank, it had to fit around other things due to limited space. wouldn't it be nice if you could do something like this and it only have to be a simple box?

Great work mate.

Paul

 

[makeitfit]

I have to say I'm the donkey worker on this . I made the sketche design. Then the cardboard version but got the blacksmith to fold the steel. My son is doing the welding. I just trim bits of and hold hot bits .
I am now learning about fuel systems though

 

[makeitfit]

Wanted

I need a tank vent and possibly a "grade vent" . Any advice on these please ?

 

[solarman216]

We fitted vents with floats in them on the bangers and as the tank was inboard fitted a pipe through the floor, when we rolled them the float thingy stopped fuel escaping, should have some in the workshop some place, will see if I can find one, think they were fitted to Primeras, or may be it was Honda Civics, Rick

 

[makeitfit]

Thanks Rick, yes please do :thumb2
There are some wierd thingies inside the old fuel tank. I'm going to get those out after work today and see what they do.
I lost the film canister thing that was on the tank years ago :augie

 

[solarman216]

So sorry Pete, hunted high and low but cannot find valve to vent tank, I had one put aside for the day tank I was going to make but cannot find that either, Rick

 

[rustic]

Looking great, are you considering some form of bash plate, as if you reversed back say into a rock you might dent it, and it's looking too good for that.

 

[makeitfit]

Looking great, are you considering some form of bash plate, as if you reversed back say into a rock you might dent it, and it's looking too good for that.

I do have the original bash guard thingy. I'll probably modify that a bit but will see once it's on
Work in progress :thumb2

 

[makeitfit]

Right then, weekend hi-jinks completed and time to sort this here tank :thumb2
So lets cut a hole in it

I decided to make a box and cut it into the tank rather than the original simple idea :lol
First trial fit

Here's the box the boy has welded ready .

Getting there see look you

Now time to cut the other side out

Here we go, one letter box ready to go

Ready for welding in a minute now :clap

Now then learned ones, explain please these plastic things inside my old tank ? I guess some sort of valve , but do I really need them ?

Thankyouplease :homer