CSX 4000 Fuel Cell (Leaking)

[frankym]

Hello CC Community,

Looking for some advice here with a CSX cobra fuel tank leak. the leak is coming from the large oval plate that is secured with 12 bolts and allows for the pickup tube to pass through the plate and deliver fuel to the fuel pump. I have drained the tank 5 times and replace the gasket with 5 different types of gasket material

Nutrile Rubber 1/16
Nutrile and Cork 1/16 and 1/8
Permatex fuel resistant motoseal
Fiber 1/16

Everytime it leaks like 1 drop every hour. It's livable but I think the reason it's leaking is that there is not a clean flat surface that the oval plate mounts to. First question is do I have an aluminium tank or a stainless steel tank. I know if I remove the tank, the weight of the dry tank will be a good tell but once I know the material, I'm going to order a 1/4 inch aluminum or stainless plate, cut out an oval ring and pre drill to line up with the holes in the plate. Then weld the 1/4 ring onto the open hole in the tank ( I know to dry out the tank and rinse with water to remove all chance of vapor), but this way I would have a solid flat mounting surface to mount the gasket and plate back on the tank. It's a very sloppy opening in the tank and the upper section of the tank / oval hole has the tank folded edge overlay in the design so it's just not a great mating surface. Curious about he material (aluminum of SS) and has anyone else done this?

[twobjshelbys]

Ditch it. Someone here used to make an aluminum baffled tank. Search for it

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Ditch it. Someone here used to make an aluminum baffled tank. Search for it

Nick Acton perhaps?

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Nick Acton perhaps?

That's him

Seriously. Soon if not already the foam inside will start to melt and clog your carb or injectors.. Just get a new one. You dont need the fuel cell.

Shelby told me the cell should be replaced after a ridiculously short time, like 5 years. If you've got a csx4000 numbered car its well past due

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[frankym]

Thanks for the feedback. the tank appears to be aluminum, and I've ordered 5/16 inch thick aluminum plate to weld a thick oval ring spacer to the oval cutout in the tank. The tank is fine and I don't plan on replacing it, I may however remove the foam and replace or just go without the foam. Once I remove the tank, I'll be in a better position to assess the health of the tank. I am also replacing the Facet brand electric fuel pump while I'm in there. These types of quality problems in construction are bothersome. The placement of the cutout in the tank is very close to the upper tank seam and extremely close to the bottom of the tank which has a rounded edge. This bottom section is where the lack of seal is causing leakage. Weather is still ice cold so now is the time to get er done. Thanks again.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Nick Acton perhaps?

I think Craig is supposed to make the best one.

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