How To Build A Compact Gas Tank

[dalemcd]

Here is a picture of mine, my brother in law built the frame for me its nice 4 bolts and away I go.

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[billybob911]

Aug 31, 2012 11:17:01 GMT -5 dm440c said:

1) I've seen that design where the fuel pump just dangles inside the tank, supported only by the rubber hose connected to it. Does that really work? I can't believe that with all the harsh accelerations from impact forces it doesn't tear loose from all that flopping around.

2) I bought a new M&M boys standard tank and grafted the sealing ring and complete sending unit from a Lumina tank right to it using the same basic process as what is in the Youtube video in the first post. Works great, seals without goo, and if the pump ever dies, changing it is as simple as it is for a stock tank.

3) where in the world are you guys finding metal boat tanks? I've been searching for literally YEARS and all I can find are ones that are rusted to $hit inside. Plastic boat tanks are the only useable ones I can find and you sure can't weld a stock sending unit onto those

Got 4 metal tanks out in the shed.. . buy 'em up when you come across them

[cw09]

Make sure they're not rusty. Had 2 that I picked up that were free that were pretty rusty. Now I use the one as a battery box for compact. Can fit 2 12 volts in there pretty easy along with some padding.

[ddoner7]

if i build my own tank is there really a need for a ball valve vent. If so where can I buy one.

[C4]

When making one from a boat tank, I just use a vented cap. When making one from scratch, I install a third fitting for a vent hose up t the roof & back down through the floor.

[T-Brell]

For those of you that want to build a tank and not have to go through the trouble of putting the ring in the tank for the in tank pump, this is the style pump I use, it mounts externally and has never gotten hot.

www.ebay.com/itm/External-Fuel-Pump-12Volts-FORD-THUNDERBIRD-83-84-/280977578755?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item416b919b03&vxp=mtr

They run at 70-95 PSI and move 30-40 GPH, and can be had for less than $50.

I've been using the same one since 08 and has been in 4 different cars now. The one I have was used, probably from the 80s, and the seam at the top finally gave way and started leaking fuel. I will be buying several of these soon.

Just thought I would share...

[dm440c]

the Ford truck inline pumps are about $40 at Rock Auto, I bought one of those and strapped it to the handle of a conventional plastic boat tank. Added a return hose to the tank and it worked great.

[greg81788]

Here's the gas can I modified with a 5 inch exhaust to allow my cavi fuel pump to fit took some time to do but it's done right

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[24pack]

if you can't find a boat tank or don't wanna build one my brother and i have used grill propane tanks and they work well also , just drill a hole on the bottom of the tank and fill it full of water to make sure all the gas is out ans use a torch to cut the hole bigger

[-75x-]

my compact tank is made out of a 12 gallon tractor tank.. and a old 95' beretta plastic tank... cut about 3/4" or so around the pump, and ring... ran a bead of black silicone around the opening of my tank, dropped the pump with lock ring, plastic hang over and all in, ran about 8 self tapping 1/4" screws around the outer edge of ring, threw the ring, platic, and tank.. then ran a nice lookin bead of the black silicone around the outer edge of everything.. been runnin that tank since 08' with no issues.. been ran in full size, midsize, and compacts!

[kemble]

Metal boat tanks can be bought off ebay for next to nothing.

[dewbiedewbiedo]

Just picked up my 6 gallon boat tank.. Its mint

[crashincars76]

I am just dropping my fuel pump into the fill cap of my boat tank as mentioned on one of the posts. What I will do then is drill a hole in the cap and run the line/wires through that and seal it. My question is what is the best way to hook up wires that will be submerged in the tank? Didn't know if electrical tape would dissolve like duct tape does.

[dewbiedewbiedo]

Electrical tape does dissolve in gas.. Also use crimpable shrinkable wire connectors.. Why are you submerging it again???

[crashincars76]

the wires coming off the pump are not long enough to go through the cap. they are hooked up in a clip to the pump so I didn't think I can just hook up new longer wires.