Okay -- Since I'm typing this -- you can all assume that I have more than one finger... and can still see... so the fuel tank welding must have been "uneventful"...
I finally got around to working on it - since it wasn't needed until just before I'm ready to fire off the beast. Right? So bent up a sump piece from some SS I had - and I'd picked up a fitting while I was at Bent Fabs shop during the RTTC event... actually managed not to lose it between then and now. So here's some self explanatory pics.
#1 rule --- I washed the fuel tank with SIMPLE GREEN TWICE.... you can't just use water -- since fuel and water don't mix! You've got to use some soap of some kind... and simple green or dishwashing liquid should work to break down the fuel.
#2 rule --- I allowed it to air dry (in my case WEEKS but it should only take a couple of days
#3 rule --- NOSE TEST IT... if it smells like fuel -- then there's some fuel residual! Mine did not smell like fuel AT ALL... not a whiff!
#4 rule -- purge the oxygen somehow... I used DRY ICE. It turns into CO2 and pushes the Oxygen out as it dissolves. It's simple and doesn't waste your welding gas!
Sump built and fitting welded in. Yes there is a reason why it's not all the way to the back of tank.
I added a VENT as long as I was going to blow myself up...
Punched a pattern of holes in the sump area using my Hougens Rotabroaches. Stainless steel is TOUGH STUFF -- don't try using a "metal/wood" hole saw -- you'll just run the bit and the tank... The Hougens are not only tough -- they're sharp as all get out -- and are made to cut holes in sheet metal. SO the result is nice clean holes. This is why my signature says "I have some tools...." That does not mean I have any skills whatsoever!
TACKED it on... all the way around. Here's something I learned! Once it's tacked on -- there's no way to clamp it - or bump the metal closer (closing the GAP). The tank is NOT flat!! and the gaps on the side where there's no flange --- even though they might have only been 1/32 or 1/16 inch -- they're HARD TO WELD in a corner on sheet metal!!!! The sump edge wants to just go away. Fit up is everything in welding -- but in this case there was no way to make it better.
DONE!