I only have this to say....

HOLLY CRAP!!


Okay -- First thing after SEMA - I'm going hunting for ANY fuel issues like this! Between now and then I will be sleepless in Seattle...

Thank goodness it's winter here - and I have time between now and Power Tour to modify.

Maybe we'll get a chance to talk at SEMA and I'll get a better idea of what I'll need to do -- and order a new Ricks Tank or whatever (I currently have a SS version from Rock Valley).

I'm amazed some propeller-head aircraft engineer didn't use a jet pump in an automotive situation long ago - aircraft have been using jet pumps in their tanks for over 40 years. Ours serve 2 purposes - 1 is to get all the fuel in the tank and sump areas (we use several due to all the low spots in tanks) - and 2 is to mix all the fuel and water :( in the tank so the water always stays suspended in the fuel and burn.

So that got me thinking, does anyone use aircraft style tank flapper doors to control fuel slosh in the different chambers of Lat/PT style street fuel tank ?

I've looked at many fuel cells being built for street type cars and they just use partial walls with holes or passages to restrict the fuel during laterals. In aircraft tanks we use a flapper style one way blockoff that closes over the opening in the the dividers/passages.

Example: the inboard tanks (against the fuselage) are where the pumps live. The outboard tanks usually gravity feed through holes in the tank walls into the inboard tank to eliminate extra pumps and tubing. But, the flapper valves close when the aircraft changes attitude to stop fuel migration back to the outboard tanks.

I wonder why we haven't used those aircraft parts to control fuel levels in a 'sump' area of our street tanks to control migration and sump starvation ? Or have I missed it and someone already does use them ??

I can post up an illustration of the aircraft valves if someone wants to see them.

Jim

I wouldn't worry until you figure out if you even have a problem............... :) Would be worthwhile to take a trip and see how it goes, even more so if the weather was warm like Power Tour.

Jim,

you up for a science project? We both need fuel tanks and we are not that far apart! We both have ideas, I have Solidworks and a fantastic welder friend! I'm game if you are!

Hi Chad !

I don't have the final size of my tank yet - but I'd be glad to do whatever I can to help figure out a design concept that we could use. Hopefully others on the site could lend some design ideas and experience too.

PS, your truck is looking great and you're making good progress !!! :thumbsup:

Jim

Thanks Jim. Maybe we will make it a class project. I am happy to model some ideas and see what we can come up with. We can post the progress. We'll see if we get any other input.

I built this one... but it's OLD SKOOL like Garage Dog was saying -- just some baffles with holes... I LOVE the slosh door idea... where the sump could fill but not empty...




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_0946.jpg




The TIG welding sucks --- One of these days I'll get the hang of it!

But check out that MIRROR POLISH!!! EEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAA!!!





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_0956.jpg

This is NOT for you "track stars" -- this metal is so shiny it's beyond ridiculous!!!



http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_0950.jpg

I'll be watching for your post on the baffle design. Very interesting.

X's 2 -- 'cause I have to build another fuel tank soon -- and I'd love to see what kind of baffles etc...

I'm thinking (which is a bad thing!) that they'd be "similar" to the baffles used in an oil pan... a simple hinge pin - and trap doors... with a compartment in the rear - center of the tank?? So the fuel would be "contained" there... with the fuel pump and or pickup in that compartment.