LocostUSA.com :: View topic - Scuttle mounted fuel tank?

End of the day, there really isn't any ideal spot for fuel on a Locost....

...There will be a metal firewall between it and the pass compartment...

Alex

A lot of states have laws against even carrying fuel cans inside the passager compartment.

Seems to me that there is room at the end of the passenger foot well for stuff. I think that some have put their battery down there, but if you want to put a fuel cell there (with appropriate safety measures of course) that might be a place to consider.

I know what you mean about not wanting to put a fuel cell at the rear of a small car, I've wrapped mine in 1" square tubes (same stuff I used to build the frame) in hopes of some protection in case of a rear-ender.

davew wrote:

A lot of states have laws against even carrying fuel cans inside the passager compartment.

My previous pickup truck was a '68 Ford. It had the fuel tank safely tucked behind the seat.

If there was any noise from fuel slosh, I never heard it. (or my '65 Chevy either)

Author:	C10CoryM [ January 2, 2018, 8:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
Worse cg but better mass-centralization. The gains may be worth it for performance. For safety I'd guess that fuel in the cowl is better than in the rear of the car. Most collisions (on or off the track) are front/rear hits. If you have a dash-bar or two over the fuel tank, it's not likely to fail before the squishy driver does in rollover or side impacts. End of the day, there really isn't any ideal spot for fuel on a Locost....

Author:	geek49203 [ January 2, 2018, 9:11 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
Note the fuel tank behind the front tire.... Lola Mk1 Attachment: OCTOB075392.jpg

Author:	TRX [ January 2, 2018, 11:14 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
C10CoryM wrote: End of the day, there really isn't any ideal spot for fuel on a Locost.... True. Tank in back: vulnerable to rear-end collision Tank in front: ruptured tank can spray fuel over hot engine and exhaust Tank in spine or behind seat: ruptured tank can spray fuel over occupants

Author:	geek49203 [ January 2, 2018, 11:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
About halfway done, there are more vertical tubes now in the rear of this frame, and then there will be tubes over top of the tank. Attachment: fuel tank mount 6.JPG

Author:	banzairx7 [ January 3, 2018, 3:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
What size tank is that? I'm looking to run at least a ten gallon. My donor RX-8 engine was only getting about 17mpg and I want to be able to do my weekly commute without having to fill up excessively. Also your tank got me thinking on the subject of fuel tank material. I see most tanks you can buy are aluminum. Most OEM's used to be steel and are now plastic. Any downside to a steel tank verse aluminum?

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Scuttle mounted fuel tank? http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=19215	Page 2 of 3

Author:	mainlandboy [ January 5, 2018, 3:07 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
With the depth of the gauges, the wiring and the steering column under the scuttle, I think that any fuel tank mounted under the scuttle would have to be pretty small.

Author:	ajmacdon [ January 5, 2018, 8:07 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
Also remember that fuel tanks make quite a lot of noise (sloshing). I worry that with it right in front of your face it would be pretty distracting. I went behind the seats with mine. There will be a metal firewall between it and the pass compartment. I used every little nook and cranny to get 12 gal behind my 6+ foot self: Alex

Author:	davew [ January 6, 2018, 9:47 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
Alex Do you have to pass a state inspection with that fuel tank design. A lot of states have laws against even carrying fuel cans inside the passager compartment. You might want to check with your DMV. You may need a structural bulkhead in front of the tank. Dave W

Author:	KB58 [ January 6, 2018, 10:49 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
ajmacdon wrote: ...There will be a metal firewall between it and the pass compartment... Alex

Author:	TRX [ January 6, 2018, 4:15 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
davew wrote: A lot of states have laws against even carrying fuel cans inside the passager compartment. My previous pickup truck was a '68 Ford. It had the fuel tank safely tucked behind the seat. If there was any noise from fuel slosh, I never heard it. (or my '65 Chevy either)

Author:	turbo_bird [ January 7, 2018, 8:21 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
geek49203 wrote: Seems to me that there is room at the end of the passenger foot well for stuff. I think that some have put their battery down there, but if you want to put a fuel cell there (with appropriate safety measures of course) that might be a place to consider. I know what you mean about not wanting to put a fuel cell at the rear of a small car, I've wrapped mine in 1" square tubes (same stuff I used to build the frame) in hopes of some protection in case of a rear-ender. Yup, I've got my battery in the passenger footwell. It limits passenger foot room a bit, but not too bad. I figured that was a good place for it, down low and it'll help offset some of my weight. Kristian

Author:	C10CoryM [ January 7, 2018, 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
TRX wrote: davew wrote: A lot of states have laws against even carrying fuel cans inside the passager compartment. My previous pickup truck was a '68 Ford. It had the fuel tank safely tucked behind the seat. If there was any noise from fuel slosh, I never heard it. (or my '65 Chevy either) 1/2 tank of fuel and just the right curve (kind of a Scandi-flick) and you will get a hell of a boom as the fuel slams into the opposite side of the tank. Very startling the first time it happens. Quiet otherwise. I've owned a few and they all did it. The trucks with behind seat tanks were vulnerable to side impact. Either the tank ruptures, or the filler neck breaks. There have been more than a few people die from fire in these trucks in otherwise minor hits. I once performed a very abrupt upside-down parking job in one of those trucks; getting away from that fuel tank was the first thing on my mind.

Author:	davew [ January 8, 2018, 9:44 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
Yupper!! I think that there are a lot of safety regs added in the last 50yrs. Vehicles now days have to survive a 33.5 MPH impact and not leak ANY fuel for a half hour after impact. I've witness these tests and it is one hell of an crash, even though it sounds pretty slow. The new shallow offset requirement is even more difficult to meet. Dave W

Author:	BHRmotorsport [ January 12, 2018, 6:10 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
Spitfun's car has a scuttle mounted fuel tank....we should ask him how it works. Attachment: Screen Shot 2018-01-12 at 4.08.51 PM.png

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Author:	banzairx7 [ January 27, 2018, 12:19 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Scuttle mounted fuel tank?
Thanks for the replies. Everyone's input was much appreciated. After all this I'm going to stick my tank in the rear. It was figuring out how to isolate an spillage from dousing the passengers that turned me off from the scuttle idea. I am adding to the roll bar for some rear impact protection. The size of the fuel tank is now smaller too so it's slightly shorter than the subframe. That way the rear crash bar and subframe will take the brunt of any impact. Attachment: Untitled.png Attachment: Untitled2.png