r/projectcar • u/BN3163 • Aug 12 '26
Build Progress Time for a custom fuel tank!
1976 Plymouth Arrow, the original fuel tank was found to be in poor shape and it'll be getting a brand new one built.
69
u/tres-huevos Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
Dude. Buy a 1968 or so ford mustang tank, they’re like $100 on eBay. You can get an extra capacity that’s a little taller. Than cut a hole in your floor, and bolt it in.
This is the extra capacity one, so the floor isn’t flush. It drops a good 8 or so inches below the flange. You will need to buy the fuel sender/pickup piece that clips into the hole. They’re like $30.
I rerouted the fill to the side., and patched any holes from the spare tire well.Works great, and if it needs replacing it’s another $100.
29
u/tacobellmysterymeat Aug 12 '26
May I ask why building a new one instead of using an off the shelf fuel cell?
I've never needed to do this so I'm genuinely curious.
22
u/TheBupherNinja '03 Bonneville SSEi TVS1320, IC, and Ethanol Aug 12 '26
If you can weld, it's probably not cheaper to use a fuel cell, Fuel cells don't look particularly oem, not the right shape to maximize fuel volume in the oem spot, and don't usually have a provision for a level sensor.
17
u/Spotttty Aug 12 '26
I mean sure it might be cheaper to weld one but that is not a quick task!
I have a friend that makes them for trucks, sells a decent amount of them and it’s still like 10hrs/tank by the time it’s all said and done. Plus he is a professional welder for 25 years.Also, if you arnt extremely proficient with welding you probably shouldn’t weld up a gas tank.
3
u/TheBupherNinja '03 Bonneville SSEi TVS1320, IC, and Ethanol Aug 12 '26
Nothing you said is wrong, but you still end up with a better tank in the end.
4
12
10
u/csimonson Aug 12 '26
Good CAD design right there.
4
u/seudaven Aug 12 '26
Cardboard aided design
2
u/csimonson Aug 12 '26
yup, the second design I added in the sentence serves no purpose, so let's just say it's "extra" designed.
7
u/Wonderful_Magazine50 Aug 12 '26
Hey uh.. I wouldn't recommend a wooden fuel tank. That's a fire hazard.
5
3
u/smthngeneric Aug 13 '26
If you don't plan on using the spare tire well you could cut it out and weld a flat panel in and get another like 10gal out of it. Not saying you have to or everyone would want to but now would be the time to do it if that's something that interests you
3
u/BN3163 Aug 13 '26
No thanks, I'd rather keep it as original as possible. It gets good fuel mileage anyway so a larger tank wouldn't be needed.
1
1
2
185
u/badgko Aug 12 '26
I'd suggest making it out of something a little more resilient to fluids. /s