Project Fuel Tank

[Tom Wells]

C5GTO,

I have the Aeromotive 340 in-tank unit in my 1981 Mercury Zephyr wagon. I went for the larger pump because it has a 557.

The wagon has more than 15K street and track miles without any hiccups. And I am familiar with EFI fuel problems caused by uncovering the pickup.

The 24 hour Rolex course at Daytona did not cause any problems during the four track days I ran there last year.

The Cobra is another, older, story. The Aeromotive setups were not around 15 years ago or it would have one also. Starvation occurred in that car even on an interstate when negotiating curves at legal speeds.

The answer to that one was to construct a "box" about 8" on a side below the floor of the tank, putting a piece of perforated aluminum at its top. The pickup is located near the bottom of the box. It was the result of an old drag racer's trick of putting the pickup at the bottom rear of the tank; this box kinda moved that idea to a 3-D version. The pump itself is external.

The "box" has been run 38K miles on the street and many, many track days including Sebring and Daytona among others and nary a burp.

HTH,

Tom

[C5GTO]

Originally Posted by Tom Wells

C5GTO,

I have the Aeromotive 340 in-tank unit in my 1981 Mercury Zephyr wagon. I went for the larger pump because it has a 557.

The wagon has more than 15K street and track miles without any hiccups. And I am familiar with EFI fuel problems caused by uncovering the pickup.

The 24 hour Rolex course at Daytona did not cause any problems during the four track days I ran there last year.

The Cobra is another, older, story. The Aeromotive setups were not around 15 years ago or it would have one also. Starvation occurred in that car even on an interstate when negotiating curves at legal speeds.

The answer to that one was to construct a "box" about 8" on a side below the floor of the tank, putting a piece of perforated aluminum at its top. The pickup is located near the bottom of the box. It was the result of an old drag racer's trick of putting the pickup at the bottom rear of the tank; this box kinda moved that idea to a 3-D version. The pump itself is external.

The "box" has been run 38K miles on the street and many, many track days including Sebring and Daytona among others and nary a burp.

HTH,

Tom

Hmmm...now you have me thinking

Maybe I can add a shallow sump at the bottom rear of the tank, with a lid that traps the fuel from escaping on braking. It would be filled in low fuel condition by acceleration when the fuel sloshed rearward in the tank. The tank is narrow, about 10 inches wide so cornering shouldn't cause a sloshing issue for fuel in the sump. If the pickup and return lines are both plumbed to the sump then return fuel should also ensure the sump has fuel.

I'll have to fit the tank up into the chassis to check if there will be space for this type sump with all the coolant, heater, and A/C lines running under the tank. Even a 3/4" deep sump might be enough to do the trick.

Tom: in case a sump isn't possible, I have a Aeromotive in-tank pump question for you. Is the top of your in-tank unit always above the fuel level? Or is there fuel sitting against the seal when the tank is full? If the later, have you noticed any leakage at all?

[Tom Wells]

Joel,

If the Aeromotive installation "wept" I wouldn't know: the tank is up against the rear floor within about an inch so I can't lay eyes on it. No gasoline aromas, so maybe that's a good sign.

Here's the PDF for the install: https://www.aeromotiveinc.com/wp-con...8809-0revE.pdf

Maybe you can get some ideas there. It does have a heckuva gasket that I hope is fuel resistant and no aroma of fumes happens in the garage after several years.

My sump for the external pump in the Cobra is about 3" plus/minus deep - memory may not be accurate and the car is in the paint shop (don't ask). The top of the sump is perforated so the gasoline must take a bit of time to exit if it tries.

Each works fine for me in its respective car, so I think it's your choice.

Tom

PS: Here are a few pictures of the Zephyr gas tank install for the Aeromotive pump: Zephyr fuel pump & tank for EFI - FirstCoastCobraClub

[FUNFER2]

I'm switching my carb to a EFI stacked system on my new 428, and although the Aeromotive 340 is expensive, it's a very nice. But not bad at $500.

[FUNFER2]

Craig, curious on the cost for a 427 tank ?
Nice work by the way.

[cobrakiwi]

Adding to the mix, gas tank for a 289 car.

[1985 CCX]

Look forward to seeing this in the first person.....