fuel cells

[N-Smooth]

i was thinking of getting a fuel cell instead of using my stock tank behind the seats, and i have a couple questions. could i use my stock pump? cause i have seen a couple cells at summit racing for pretty cheap but they don't come with pumps. i think the xj pump could work because it is internal and it looks like it wouldn't be too hard to set up.
any opinions?

-nate

 

[Herzog]

I'm pretty sure it depends on what cell you get. I'm betting most fuel cells that you will find won't be compatible with the xj pump. The xj pump is and internal pump and has to be setup in a certain place to work properly.

The pumps that they do have are really expensive, so I know why you wan't to use the xj pump. I don't know if you can run the xj pump outside of the cell. It seems like you should be able to. Just have to change the plumbing a bit.

Summit also sells a 16 gallon cell with a GM 0-90 ohm sender already in it, but I don't know much about that one.

BTW - I'm kind of looking at the same situation with my buggy I'm currently building.

 

[Caleb]

i was thinking of getting a fuel cell instead of using my stock tank behind the seats, and i have a couple questions. could i use my stock pump? cause i have seen a couple cells at summit racing for pretty cheap but they don't come with pumps. i think the xj pump could work because it is internal and it looks like it wouldn't be too hard to set up.
any opinions?

-nate

if you modify the tank to accept your pump then yeah you can make it work. What most guys do is just get an inline pump and do that, this way they just have to hook it up and go basically...it depends on how much work you want to put into your setup...

 

[Caleb]

for mine I'll be using this cell...with the holley double sump pick up...this one will fit perfectly in the back of a wrangler to give you an idea of size...

 

[sibeta]

Be super careful with the Aluminum tanks from summit. I have only had mine a short while and it developed a huge 4 inch crack down the seam of the weld. Its cracked in a couple of spots. I know Carl at Rocklogic has had problems with his too. I had to get a whole new one. I went with the polyurethane tank inside the red metal casing (stock car style).

 

[Cody]

I'm also a victim of the cracked summit tank. Had one crack re-welded and there are a few more. I'm hoping to get one more season out of it.

Cody

 

[Caleb]

yeah, I have heard of that problem with the summit tanks...mine is an RCI tank so hopefully it will be better, I have never heard of anyone having any issues with the one I will be using...

 

[Klif01]

Hey, if you want my welding shop teacher is a master at aluminum welds. He welded up a broken full suspension mtn bike DH frame and it was better than before. Im in orem, and he would probably do it for free too.

 

[gtidrivr]

i dont kow of any purchased alum tanks from jegs, summit, speedway etc. that dont crack! all that i have seen maybe 15 or so cracked!! mine, brandons, poo's, curts, teras, ricks, and so on. if you do get one, save yourself some time and have someone weld it for you. these tanks are not welded they are just fused thats why they break. hope you make a good decision...

 

[I Lean]

yeah, I have heard of that problem with the summit tanks...mine is an RCI tank so hopefully it will be better, I have never heard of anyone having any issues with the one I will be using...

FWIW, my "Summit" cell came in an RCI box with RCI stickers on it. I don't think I know of anyone with these "budget" aluminum cells that HAVEN'T had problems with them.

 

[Caleb]

FWIW, my "Summit" cell came in an RCI box with RCI stickers on it. I don't think I know of anyone with these "budget" aluminum cells that HAVEN'T had problems with them.

well that sucks, and mine is already powder coated so its gonna be a pita to weld. oh well, if it breaks I'll just get rid of it...

 

[Hickey]

Gosh, you guys are making me want to keep my 500 pound home built steel cell that I built. Are you guys isolating both sides(top and bottom) of your tank mounts with rubber? Or are you only isolating one side?(bottom)

 

[Milner]

well that sucks, and mine is already powder coated so its gonna be a pita to weld. oh well, if it breaks I'll just get rid of it...

Yep, they all crack!! Since yours is already coated though, you might try using a tank liner. I have used the stuff from western modine radiator. It is not cheap, but works good. It is a blue goo that you poor into the tank and slosh it around until the entire inside is coated. I think easton has something similar. Check with resto places, seems like the body shop west of state on vine st had some.

HTH
Marc

PS, when it cracks, don't use soap to plug it.....just ask Suka.

 

[Caleb]

Yep, they all crack!! Since yours is already coated though, you might try using a tank liner. I have used the stuff from western modine radiator. It is not cheap, but works good. It is a blue goo that you poor into the tank and slosh it around until the entire inside is coated. I think easton has something similar. Check with resto places, seems like the body shop west of state on vine st had some.

HTH
Marc

PS, when it cracks, don't use soap to plug it.....just ask Suka.

thanks for the advice, that is a good idea...I'll try it...

 

[gtidrivr]

yes mine was isolated with rubber top and bottom. 2 mounting tabs were ripped off and bottom weld broke, i dont know of anything else i could have done...

 

[Milner]

yes mine was isolated with rubber top and bottom. 2 mounting tabs were ripped off and bottom weld broke, i dont know of anything else i could have done...

I mounted B's with grommets in ALL the mnt holes, plus rubber washers on top/bottom of each mnt.

We both think it is actually the fuel sloshing violently that causes the cracks.

PS I run a plastic fuel cell.

 

[Hickey]

I mounted B's with grommets in ALL the mnt holes, plus rubber washers on top/bottom of each mnt.

We both think it is actually the fuel sloshing violently that causes the cracks.

PS I run a plastic fuel cell.

What about using straps like they use on some factory tanks. I agree that it would be the fuel sloshing around. 10 gallons is almost 80 pounds sloshing back and forth.