Anyone ever run a fuel cell???

[BillyGman]

For you guys who have run a fuel cell in a car that was run on the street, I'd like to ask you something:

Do you get gas fumes coming into the car that can be noticed when you have the windows closed??? Do you hear fuel sloshing around back there when you take corners or while driving slowly over bumps?

[Butch]

No gas smell from mine. Is it vented correctly?

Can't say for the sound of sloshing fuel....The car is too damn loud to be able to hear it....



For you guys who have run a fuel cell in a car that was run on the street, I'd like to ask you something:

Do you get gas fumes coming into the car that can be noticed when you have the windows closed??? Do you hear fuel sloshing around back there when you take corners or while driving slowly over bumps?

[03MERCMARAUDER]

Thinking about upgrading Billy?

Joe

[BillyGman]

Let me explain... I'm considering the choice of a fuel cell for project chevelle (my 70 Chevelle). I really didn't want to go with a fuel cell, but it's the only way that I can see to actually have an electric fuel pump being "gravity fed" like the pump manufactures tell you it should be, unless you have a pump inside the tank.

However, I've yet to find a tank for old Chevelles that mounts in the OE location that has a pump inside that can flow an adequate amount of fuel volume to feed a 632 C.I mountain motor (which is what I have). So that's the reason for my inquiry. Yes, the one I want to get is vented, but since the fumes would be vented into the trunk instead of outside the trunk as with factory tanks, I was wondering if the gasoline smeel ever works it's way into the passenger compartment. Thanks for your replies. BTW Butch, what do you have that you're running a fuel cell in?

[Wags]

Billy,

I had one in my '67 when running a 502 in it. I had to run an electric pump, as there was no mechanical pump provisions on that block. The cell was foam filled, so there was no "sloshing" around of the fuel. If you go to the track with it (unlikely, huh?:rolleyes: ), you will have to seal the trunk off from the pass. compartment (NHRA rules). I did this by having sheet metal welded all around behind the back seat. You will also have to mount a kill switch in the back of the car. I mounted the pump underneath the trunk, and ran the lines along the frame. and put the kill switch by the rear license plate opening. How's the car coming along?

Wags

[BillyGman]

Billy,

I had one in my '67 when running a 502 in it. I had to run an electric pump, as there was no mechanical pump provisions on that block. The cell was foam filled, so there was no "sloshing" around of the fuel. If you go to the track with it (unlikely, huh?:rolleyes: ), you will have to seal the trunk off from the pass. compartment (NHRA rules). I did this by having sheet metal welded all around behind the back seat. You will also have to mount a kill switch in the back of the car. I mounted the pump underneath the trunk, and ran the lines along the frame. and put the kill switch by the rear license plate opening. How's the car coming along?

WagsAAAAHH, I didn't know that about NHRA rules concerning the mandate to separate the trunk from the passenger compartment . Thankyou very much for that info Pete. The rules are not only a bit confusing and seem rather comlex and even ambiguous at times, but I find them to be elusive and mysterious since you can't even get all of them from their website. And I clicked on the link to order a rulebook, and a window popped up saying they're sold out.:shake:

Anyway, I'm thinking about doing the same thing concerning the fuel pump location (underneath the trunk) so that it's gravity fed and therefore will NOT lose it's prime. As for the project in general, it's going okay. As you know, I have the engine, and in addition to that the body is presently off of the frame, and the frame is now being stripped. The next thing will be the welding of the frame to box it in to avoid it being twisted by this powerplant.

Tomorrow I'll be bringing them a Painless Wiring harness kit, so that they can re-wire the thing for me since the guy who had it before me made a complete wiring nightmare out of the thing. I hate electrical stuff. It's definately not my thing, which is why I was trying to go with a mechanical fuel pump, but unless I was to use a belt driven mechanical pump, there's no way the mechanical ones will keep up with this engine from what I've learned from other Chevelle guys who have 454 engines and 540 engines.


The body guy asked me how nice I want this car, and I told him that since I do plan on driving it to work one day out of the week as well as cruising on the weekends and racing it, I'm not looking for a show quality paint job. But one that just looks decent, and will not be bubbling up and peeling in three years from now. I know very well that driving it on the highway 8 months out of the year will have stones and pebbles kicking up at the paint and puting small chips in it here and there just like with my Marauder. So I won't be looking to win any shows with this thing. I just want it to look decent, and to be a serious street brawler that I can have some fun with.

I'll be paying my next visit to the bodyshop tomorrow, so I should have some pics on the progress in 48 hours. I have the fuel cell picked out,(an aluminum one from Summit racing with foam inside) but I didn't want to order it yet until I decide on which pump to go with. My three concerns with a pump is that it flows enough for this monster at the 7 PSI that the pressure regulator(s) will limit it to, and that it isn't so loud that I have to turn up the radio to drown out the pump noise while I'm sitting at traffic lights. Ad last but not least that it is in fact a pump that can be used for continuous run for street driving. Because I'm finding that some of the really heavy duty electric pumps are NOT for continuous use according to the manufactures. I'll be installing the drivetrain with the help of my brother at his house. But that won't be for a couple months yet.