Now that the car is almost on the trailer and bound for my garage, I regret not having done a fule cell conversion while we were doing the restification.

The engine builder was dead set on a Carter mechanical hiflow fuel pump for my application - believes they are about as bulletproof as you can get. So fine - it works great - feeds a very rich supply of go juice to the blueprinted 870.

Question: If money is not the primary roadblock, what fuel cell should I consider and what problems/modifications should I prepare for?

I know I have to cut a hole in the trunk floor for the sump and I'd like to go with aluminum I think - probably 20-22 gallons since I got a lotta room in the trunk.

Will my mechanical pump cause fuel delivery problems if I go with a fuel cell?

Will I need to add additional structural support to the trunk floor? The guy helping with the restification said fuel cells absolutely reek with fumes. Is this true?

Any advice/opinions appreciated.

I don't want to get too wild since I just got the car back, but a close friend that loves to watch me spend money says now is a good time for mini tubs....not!

Mike-

When restoring my '72 Chevelle SS, I dropped in a ZZ502 crate motor. Unfortunately, GM made these engines without a provision for mechanical fuel pumps, therefore an electric pump was required. I could have easily modified my stock tank with a bottom sump, but chose to install an aluminum 20-gallon fuel cell in the trunk. A square hole cut into the rear center of the trunk floor was all that was needed to pass the sump portion thru. Four stainless steel 3/8" bolts are all that I've used to secure it to the trunk floor. Check out my site below, look for "Fuel & Electrical Systems" page for photos of the cell install. Good luck!

Suhweet! Thanks - that is exactly what I'm looking for. I'll get all the stuff on order. Just can't resist the temptation to get that slosher off the bottom of the car and clean it up a bit under there. smile.gif

Best,

I have a 16 gal cell in my 68 and run the same mech. pump you mentioned with no problems, I have a -8 AN vent line running to the back under the license plate with a small filter on the end of it
I am feeding a 406 with a 750 holley

I have a Summit polished aluminum 15gal cell.

I didn't cut a huge hole in my trunk for the sump. I
also hid my pumps between the rear bumper and trunk.

Check out the photos.


http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=775255260105&page=1&sort_order=0


Emil Dusek
71 Chevelle SS=502
6.68@102mph 1/8 NA

Originally posted by InsuranceGuy:
I have a Summit polished aluminum 15gal cell.

I didn't cut a huge hole in my trunk for the sump. I
also hid my pumps between the rear bumper and trunk.

Check out the photos.


http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=775255260105&page=1&sort_order=0


Emil Dusek
71 Chevelle SS=502
6.68@102mph 1/8 NA Nice setup Emil. Like the painted toenails ;) :D

A couple of questions. Are you running a cap on one of the vents on top of your cell? Is that the rollover vent?

The painted toenails belong to my wife...she was
holding the gas filler door open while I shot the
pump photos and you are seeing her reflection
in the bumper...lol

The cell has two bungs on top. One for a fuel
return line(I have it capped off)and the other for
vapor/fuel expansion overflow(vented thru trunk floor using 1/2" aluminum flex line).

http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=775255260105&page=1&sort_order=0

Emil Dusek
71 Chevelle SS-502

I have that same cell as you except in a 20 gal with a sender, and its made by RCI. And the vent line isn't really designed for overflow, just for vent. It has a built-in rollover vlave designed not to let gas out of the top. Should have mine all routed up by this weekend.