See full version: How to make a baffle for a gas tank on a boat
Upon first filling up the tank it takes a few minutes for the fuel to reach the baffled area. This is because each baffled area is designed to keep the fuel from flowing too quickly from one baffled area to another. Once the main area is filled, that’s where most of the fuel ends up staying. Unlike some tanks, ours is long, and has a low spot towards the front. Inside, a baffle will keep that fuel from splashing back to the filler like it did on the prior tank.
Before we completely installed the tank, we inserted the filler tube into the filler grommet in the tank, and made sure it was centered and secure, then we raised the tank up to the trunk floor and tightened down on the tank strap. The tank needs to be secure and the strap needs to be tight but care should be taken to not overtighten the strap. Guerrero tells us that we won’t have to worry about compressing the tank, but we could damage the strap.
The stock tank is fine for carburetors, but there is too much fuel slosh for an EFI system.
Ready For The Track
Our first test with the car was to fill up the tank about half way, and take it out to one of the freeway ramp cloverleafs and see if the fuel slosh problem went away. After a few attempts, we noticed no fuel starvation issues and we knew we were ready for the track. Willow Springs was calling again, and in early October we hit the big track and ran the car hard.
Most fuel cells are a bit smaller because they’re made for racing applications and they only hold about 10 gallons of fuel. Our car doesn’t hit the 1320, but it does see a lot of street use as well as hitting a racetrack a few times each year, so we needed something that would allow us to drive a little further than ten gallons of gas would allow. more
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The final step of any fuel tank construction is laying out the final pieces that will move fuel in and out of the tank. The tank used in the example here used a premade pickup/return/vent all built in to one package that we purchased off amazon: here
Here you can see the first fuel cell mocked up in cardboard and test fitted into the rear of the vehicle. It ended up not being able to be installed perfectly and needed modification. Lucky for us it was only cardboard and not the real thing.
You can begin by taking measurements of the space where you plan to place your gas tank. Keep in mind that this process may be time-consuming, therefore we recommend getting a piece of paper and pencil to draw your potential design whilst taking the measurements. Remember to consider the space you’d need for any fuel pick-ups, filler, vents, level sensors, mounting straps and lines. Moreover, keep in mind that you should place the tank in an area where the exhaust won’t cook it. With that said, it’s important to build some heat shielding around the chosen area.
However, it’s worth noting that aluminium is quite difficult to weld, and this is also the reason why not all metal workshops offer aluminium welding services, unlike KP Fabrication. When you’re not so confident in your own DIY skills, we suggest on bringing your fuel tank design to us so that we can do the rest for you. You can still keep it your own project by creating the pieces and design.
After that, you need to tack weld in many places to keep things square and in place, but you also have to make sure that you are moving to different welding areas of the tank. This means that you shouldn’t just work on a side of the tank and leave it- you have to set it up, tack weld it, then move on. Before you can proceed to final welding, you have to tack together the entire fuel tank. Make sure you weld a small section of one side of the tank before you move to another side. Occasionally take breaks to let the tank cool, and prevent it from warping. [links]
I want to build fibreglass, removable fuel tanks, around 100 L volume for two 24' diesel inboard powered launches I have in the Solomon Islands. The boats are pretty run down, came out of a scrape heap and I've been fixing them up.
Rebirth of the M.V Pagu
You have to understand that compared with building in Australia (where I'm from) or most other places forum members will be reading this, what's available in way of materials in the Solomons is EXTRELELY LIMITED. I can buy polyester resin, mat and gelcoat but that's about it, so I need to work with the few materials that are available locally. more
I was thinking about just making a simple rectangular female mould out of cardboard and duct tape. Brace it with timber. Line it with sheet plastic, spray that with silicon lubricant for the release agent then lay up. here
That's the idea I have in mind and I don't see any reason why that wouldn't work? Doesn't matter if finish a bit rough, as long as finished job is strong and functional. I'm not bound by any rules and regulations regarding tank construction. The country is pretty regulation free. One of the many reasons I love the place!
OK here's my question. It's pretty basic, but I'd appreciate any ideas on ways to achieve ? with very limited materials I have on hand.