Fuel Cells
- Thread starter stp189
- Start date
James K
NO, I'm always like this
- Location
- Taylorsville, Ut
built mine out of 16 guage steel with no baffles.
if you haven't seen it yet link
IMO, its not really a cut and dry answer...I wouldn't touch an aluminum RCI cell if it was given to me. However the fuel safe ones are extremely nice. If you are looking for something on the cheap I would go with a poly (RCI, Jaz, etc) cell from summit or Jegs (I prefer without foam as I have heard of a lot of people having issues with it breaking apart and clogging filters and pumps). If you just want a really nice cell and dont care about the price the fuel safe ones are top notch. If you must have an aluminum one but want it a little cheaper make sure it has a bladder and mount it using straps not the tabs on the tank.
IMO, its not really a cut and dry answer...I wouldn't touch an aluminum RCI cell if it was given to me. However the fuel safe ones are extremely nice. If you are looking for something on the cheap I would go with a poly (RCI, Jaz, etc) cell from summit or Jegs (I prefer without foam as I have heard of a lot of people having issues with it breaking apart and clogging filters and pumps). If you just want a really nice cell and dont care about the price the fuel safe ones are top notch. If you must have an aluminum one but want it a little cheaper make sure it has a bladder and mount it using straps not the tabs on the tank.
I can't compare other types of tanks as I don't have experience with them, but I run a poly RCI tank, no foam or baffles. I have been very happy with it. It gets a little distorted, but I think the degree of distortion depends mostly on how the tank is mounted.
I was told to not run foam with regular gasoline because it will cause it to break down and either kill your pump, or clog up other things as it breaks down. I doubt the particles would get past a filter though.
I was told to not run foam with regular gasoline because it will cause it to break down and either kill your pump, or clog up other things as it breaks down. I doubt the particles would get past a filter though.
I have one of hte cheap RCI aluminum cells. It's already been pulled and repaired once for cracking, and it's doing it again but worse. I'm ordering a poly cell next week to replace it.
I have foam in mine and I haven't had any problems. I run a clear pre-filter and post-filter so I can see how much debris is in there. I change the pre-filter every season.
Cody
I have foam in mine and I haven't had any problems. I run a clear pre-filter and post-filter so I can see how much debris is in there. I change the pre-filter every season.
Cody
RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
Running a Summit poly cell here, with foam. I run regular gas and the foam hasn't given me any problems yet. I have had zero problems with fuel delivery, too. 
Carl, you ran foam in your Willy's for years with regular gas ( I know, cuz I reached in there elbow-deep once...), did you ever have any problems with the foam?
Carl, you ran foam in your Willy's for years with regular gas ( I know, cuz I reached in there elbow-deep once...), did you ever have any problems with the foam?RockMonkey said:Running a Summit poly cell here, with foam. I run regular gas and the foam hasn't given me any problems yet. I have had zero problems with fuel delivery, too.
The Willys had the cell with foam, no problems. My cracky aluminum cell in the buggy after also had/has foam, no problems. (other than the foam will hold water like a sponge, and the water will make your engine run funny, but that's a different deal)
I didn't like the pickup location of the poly cell I had. Anyone buying one, make sure you get one with a bottom sump. Herzog, does yours have a sump?
Milner
formerly "rckcrlr"
- Location
- Hiding behind a camera
I've had foam for 4 years, no problem yet....
stp189 said:
Yep, I'd say 1/8" is plenty. (the RCI ones are something like .040) I wouldn't use any tube for any fuel line inside. Either make it with a sump at the bottom and AN fittings, or build it to use an in-tank pump setup like OEM tanks use.
anvil
Registered User
- Location
- Idaho Falls
I built mine out of 1/8" 5052 Al. It hasn't left the garage yet, but I think it will hold up when it does. Try Kaiser aluminum for good prices on 1/8" sheet.
I built mine with a MIG, Millermatic 251. If I was to MIG another I would use stainless. If I had a TIG I would go aluminum.
I built mine with a MIG, Millermatic 251. If I was to MIG another I would use stainless. If I had a TIG I would go aluminum.
I Lean said:
My fuel pump is on the motor so all I need is a line to the tank. I am just woundering if aluminum will hold up soaking in gas constantly? I'm sure its no big deal. I have heard someone using plastic hose and puting a weight on the end to keep it down??
Milner
formerly "rckcrlr"
- Location
- Hiding behind a camera
Herzog said:That's good to know. What I was told could have very well been hear-say.
Yep, i had heard the same thing, so I have 2 clear filters on it....and no problems. I have even had all sorts of octane bosters and additives in it....
1/8 should be plenty. Like Carl said, build a sump in it, and maybe a baffle that make a + in the middle. It would help the sloshing and help to keep the sides from pushing in and out when it sloshes or expands....