Here is an inherent problem with an OEM saddle tank. When you go around a corner, full tank of gas, your tank will slosh gas out from under the cap. Make sure you have a tight fitting, leak proof gas cap.
Other problem is a lack of a vent. Modern gas pumps, least here in left liberal California, will not pump in gas unless you pull back that accordion like rubber hose on the end of a gas pump nozzle.
You need to carefully watch the gas being pumped in. First sign of "backing up" of gas, stop, no more gas. Air bubbles will rush up and cause a fine spray of gas to come out. Very annoying.
A cure is what I am doing. Filler point is just inside the rear passenger side back door, on the side of the body within one of those rectangular body cavities. You can do a custom job with one of those billet aluminum gas fillers, type with a lid, allows for nice foam padded upholstery to surround. Depending on how much work you are willing to invest, you can buy hose, 1 inch to 1 1/4 inch, to run down to wherever under your panel body. Keep this high as possible for long as possible for your run. I am running mine over the wheel well. Drop down somewhere, adapt to the larger size filler neck on your tank. This type of system will work with those idiotic fool proof EPA pumps. Drawback is filling your tank from inside your vehicle. However, when you are real show car freak, you will be holding a diaper around your filler, holding your breath and keeping a close eye.
A fancy installation includes a vent running up from your tank filler neck area to your actual filling point. A 3/8 - 1/2 inch hose works nice. Other alternative is to buy a fuel gauge sending unit with a vent built in alongside your fuel take up tube. Hard to find. You can braze in a bung fitting, a bit dangerous on a used tank, no problem on a new tank. A good cure is to drop five pounds of "dry ice" inside your tank, wait a few minutes then weld quickly. The CO2 will prevent ignition or will at least reduce the explosion to survival level, might lose your eyebrows and some forehead hair, no big deal. Smells bad, though.
Car show cultists will look at a fuel gauge, estimate number of gallons remaining in the tank, then only add enough gas, watching the gallons slowly roll over, for a 3/4 full tank to avoid any risk of splash out. Don't bother watching the price; flies by and always stops on "Arm & Leg" no matter how little gas you pump.
I am installing duel tanks in my panel, two OEM style tanks to avoid this 3/4 tank thing and for distance driving. Those tanks do not hold very much gas, not at all; two are truly needed.
Billyray
Last edited by Billyray; 03/28/2010 2:56 AM.
