Thread: RCI fuel cells

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Now that I have more room in my Model A I figured I could fit a fuel cell in there instead of my tank. Just wondering if they're a good buy, any problems,....I have a fuel sender for my gauges so I think I could swap that out.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

One other thing, is there anything wrong about mounting your battery next to your fuel cell. It just seems wrong but it would sure make things easier for me.

Sean

Looks good to me! Never have used one of their aluminum cells, but their plastic ones work great. I don't see any reason the aluminum one's wouldn't be the same.... Besides, you can polish it up and have a bit of bling in the back!

Here's a link to a guy on ebay who has them for sale all the time. http://motors.shop.ebay.com/merchant/rozbwl If you're patient (especially this time of year) you can "win" one for around $150, maybe less if nobody is watching any particular week. You also need to plan on a banding method to mount the tank, RCI says the tabs are only for locating and aren't sturdy enough for safe mounting. 19 gal of fuel is going to be over 100# so in the wrong situation could concievably rip those tabs off.

One member on here, C9x, has one that he had to make some modifications on the fill ring mount to give extra sealing to stop a leak. He posted up a thread with pictures sometime within the past year. You might want to do a search and look it over.

BTW, they don't come with foam in them, so technically they're not a fuel cell until you do that yourself.

If the tank and batt are both vented correctly, mounted firmly, and you don't have any loose connections on the batt to cause sparks it shouldn't be any undue hazard

I have a 22 gallon alum and had to end up putting a lot of support underneath it as had a few welds crack on the edges.Yours doesn't look like it has the surface area so other than that they work well,and like Dave says you can polish them up.

I`ll have a 20 Gal Alum cell for sale in the next couple of weeks if yer interested

Originally Posted by redrodman48

I`ll have a 20 Gal Alum cell for sale in the next couple of weeks if yer interested

Do you know the dimensions. It has to fit into a space 34" width x 20" height x18" tapering to 12" deep.

Thanks for the link as well Bob. I checked and he has the exact one I want but they won't deliver to Canada.

Sean

I will measure this weekend and get back to you

The ebay link that Bob gave you #130232027395 is looking like the one I have
but i will make sure tomorrow

Originally Posted by sgo70

Do you know the dimensions. It has to fit into a space 34" width x 20" height x18" tapering to 12" deep.

Thanks for the link as well Bob. I checked and he has the exact one I want but they won't deliver to Canada.

Sean

Summit catalog shows the measurements at:
30" long.
9" wide.
12" high.

My pal bought a red one for his roadster and it had only a vent and fuel outlet.

Mine is aluminum and it has vent, fuel and return outlets.
Just like the catalog shows.

Here's the complete article, pics and all.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=266478


Fwiw, the filler bolt pattern is the same as the JAZ fuel cell filler caps and cast aluminum filler tube.

In fact, it looks like all fuel cells have the same cap bolt pattern.

Pay attention to the pics and comments on the warped filler plate and stud retainer ring.

My pal's tank sealed just fine, mine didn't....

Sean, measurements are 24" L x 20" W x 10 1/2" D

I'm running one of their 15 Gal tanks on my Dodge PU and am happy with it.

Depending on the fuel guage you are using chances are the unit that comes with the tank will work (they say it's works with most GM and aftermarket guages) I had to change mine out as it's a MOPAR.

Fwiw - the sender that came with my tank was set up for a Ford gauge.

Auto Meter has several gas gauges for Fords, but Stewart Warner only makes a run of Ford Style gauges once in a while.

I don't know why Summit didn't put the common GM style sender in the tank.

Best part about the whole project was finding the tag on the tank that said, "Pressure tested for leaks."

Originally Posted by redrodman48

Sean, measurements are 24" L x 20" W x 10 1/2" D

That won't quite fit, I can only go max. 18" wide at the top and it tapers down to 12". Thanks though.

I have these Stewart Warner gauges, can't wait to put them in.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/1100...auge-Sets.html

Sean

Originally Posted by sgo70

Do you know the dimensions. It has to fit into a space 34" width x 20" height x18" tapering to 12" deep.


Sean

I've got an extra, rectangular aluminum tank, a little heavier gauge than the RCI units, 29"L, 12" W (deep) top & bottom, and 16" high. If you have interest in that let me know and we can do the picture and the rest off site.

Ok, here's my next stupid question. What is the difference between a fuel cell and a gas tank? I know fuel cells are suppose to be safer, but not why.
Also what kind of foam goes with gas?