Thread: gas tank or fuel cell?

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I recently removed the "custom" gas tank from my 37 Cadillac LaSalle and as I had expected it will not meet my standards. Also, the dirt and at least one rock rolling around inside have not inspired confidence in this tank. But it will make good sheet metal for brackets and such. So I started shopping for a gas tank. If I assume a 37 Chevy tank will fit or could be made to fit I am looking at about $225 to my door. Then I followed a different course and considered a fuel cell. The fuel cells are much cheaper and may give me more options in how I run my filler. However, there has to be a catch.

What are the differences between a tank and a fuel cell? Is a fuel cell only for race use and going to thwart my effort to register the car...eventually...maybe...someday?

One last cautionary question, say I were to mount a smaller gas tank and my battery under the rear trunk floor, any safety concerns with doing so? Would I need to take special precautions?

Thnaks for all your help.

37, a real fuel cell is probably not much cheaper. A fuel cell (for instance from Fuel Safe) consists of a metal enclosure with a plastic liner plus anti-slosh foam. Fuel cells have roll over check valves on the filler and on the vents. A 32 gallon fuel cell from Fuel Safe runs over $400 typically so it isnt cheaper than your metal fuel tank.

If you are referring to the el cheapo rotary molded fuel tanks with out the metal exterior, I would be suspect of them for a street use car. The plastic is subject to punctures and abrasion (vibration induced) from the mounting straps. The plastic isnt probably UV stabilized so it will eventually discolor and get brittle like a red plastic gas container left out in the sun.....the fuel cells with the metal enclosures prevent all of these problems.

perhaps other members have had experience with the cheaper stuff.....I bought a Fuel Safe brand myself and it has been great. The only drawback is the size....you take what they make!

mike in tucson

Originally Posted by robot

37, a real fuel cell is probably not much cheaper. A fuel cell (for instance from Fuel Safe) consists of a metal enclosure with a plastic liner plus anti-slosh foam. Fuel cells have roll over check valves on the filler and on the vents. A 32 gallon fuel cell from Fuel Safe runs over $400 typically so it isnt cheaper than your metal fuel tank.

If you are referring to the el cheapo rotary molded fuel tanks with out the metal exterior, I would be suspect of them for a street use car. The plastic is subject to punctures and abrasion (vibration induced) from the mounting straps. The plastic isnt probably UV stabilized so it will eventually discolor and get brittle like a red plastic gas container left out in the sun.....the fuel cells with the metal enclosures prevent all of these problems.

perhaps other members have had experience with the cheaper stuff.....I bought a Fuel Safe brand myself and it has been great. The only drawback is the size....you take what they make!

mike in tucson

I would not worry to much about the "plastic fuel cells".
The IMCA and the USMTS car run them lap after lap at over 7,500 rpms and we have had no issues.
I think it is the 5th year in the IMCA car.

I've used the plastic tanks for years without incident... Also very easy to enclose them in a sheet metal or aluminum container... Adds a bit to the safety issue and really helps the appearance.

As for having the tank and the battery in the same area, I would have a metal divider between them. Should you decide to totally enclose the battery in a metal or plastic box, make sure you vent the enclosure!!! An unvented fully enclosed battery box can make for a really big BOOM given the right circumstances!

If you have the original LaSalle tank or a tank that fits right do the patented Re Nu thing- http://www.gastankrenu.com/ it's guaranteed for LIFE.

Thanks for the advice on the fuel cell/gas tank question.

With the fuel cell, are there any drawbacks? Can I get sending unit in it to work with my gauges? Is there any special plumbing or pumps I would need?

Thanks again

u can get a cell with a sending unit i belive? no problems with my plastic cell been in there for 5 years!

Of the cells that come with sending units, you can normally specify the sending unit with the correct resistance to work with your present gauges.

Most fuel cells come with a standard pipe thread fitting, usually 3/8" pipe thread, that with the correct adapter can either go to a stock type fuel line with pipe thread fittings, or an adapter to go to AN fittings if you have a steel braid or custom type aluminum or steel hard line.

Any brand names that you can recommend or recommend staying away from?

I am leaning heavily toward a fuel cell because of the variety of different sizes and the possibility of freeing up some space to mount my battery under the trunk floor. The caddy is a big car but has a small trunk space that I am trying not to further shrink.

Thanks again for your help.

Summit and Jeg's both have a good selection in sizes and types, either aluminum or plastic. I've used from both suppliers with no problems....

what about a Mustang Tank? cut out trunk floor, drop it in, no wasted trunk space. if it'll fit that is