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Fuel Tank Foam

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by 47v6, Feb 3, 2024.

  1. 47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I don't have baffles in my tank and the Fuel injection pump doesn't like to suck air on inclines or spirited driving... So, what about foam? Is there another better solution aside from a new tank or welding in baffles..
     
    dozerjim likes this.
  2. Jw60

    Jw60 That guy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

  3. Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hydra Mat
     
    Fireball and WTn800 like this.
  4. Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    .......Or keep a Fuller tank :) But seriously , Like Kyle & Jw60 said. I heard that others have had good luck with it.
     
    Dwins1 and WTn800 like this.
  5. 47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Looks like Hydra mat requires a fitting to use and the fuel pump I am using does not have one for intake. I will have to figure out another solution.
     
  6. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    The replacement tank I put in my YJ has a similar issue. The OEM tank had a circular baffle around the pump pick-up that held some fuel. :steamed:

    Original Model T Fords had a gravity feed from a tank under the seat. This could cause fuel starvation with a partially empty tank when going uphill. One solution was to add a small reserve tank, in-line, but near the front of the car, as a "buffer."

    Could you think up some variation of that concept? A pressure tank with a check valve, or...?

    Crazy, I know. Just another cup of coffee and I'll be okay.
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2024
  7. dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    The old timers used to back up hills to solve this........so I am told......:whistle:
     
  8. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Done it myself. Whatever works. But smarter to keep a full gas tank.
     
    Lockman, vtxtasy and dozerjim like this.
  9. Jw60

    Jw60 That guy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    When I first converted over to TBI I simply plumbed the pump into the fuel line and added a return. It had a weird brief stumble on right hand turns. I did a easy gravel road tour around AVA with some of the people boyink knew. I flat towed and filled the tank on the way and everything was fine. Then a month later I was at an offroad park with some flat fenders and there was a bit of a traffic jam headed up a hill and I was waiting with the passenger side up above the driver and the gas cap was dribbling then it just died... how do you add gas to that? You gotta get the hook and be towed to a flat spot.
    Totally embarrassing to run out of fuel and be leaking out of the filler.
     
    47v6, vtxtasy, Dwins1 and 3 others like this.
  10. Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep.. 2024 Sponsor

  11. Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Another (not cheap) option would be a surge tank something like this FiTech one: (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fif-50004)
    [​IMG]

    It's a fuel surge tank that goes under the hood. The pump at the gas tank becomes a lift pump to this tank, and the pump in this tank feeds the fuel injection system.

    Advantages:
    • It has a decent sized reserve of fuel for when the pickup in the gas tank is uncovered.
    • It is tall and skinny, so it should be relatively unaffected by uphill/downhill and off-camber situations.
    Disadvantages:
    • The lift pump in the gas tank may burn itself up if it runs dry too often.
    • It adds another layer of complication. Now you are relying on two fuel pumps to be working at all times for the Jeep to function. Not sure how hard it is to swap the pump in this reservoir while on trail.
    • Cost.
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2024
    Danefraz, dozerjim and ITLKSEZ like this.
  12. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor


    That's the kind of idea I was trying suggest. I didn't know they already existed.

    OTH, a gas tank with baffles would probably be cheaper.
     
  13. Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Cut your pickup tube off a couple inches above the bottom of tank. Slide on a piece of submersible fuel hose and clamp it on.
    Use a barb x pipe fitting to adapt the fuel mat.
    Done.
     
    Danefraz, Lockman and Fireball like this.
  14. Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    I had this pickup problem 40 years back. I copied a chainsaw in-tank fuel pickup that I had back then. I added about 18” of rubber fuel line to the end of the pickup tube in the tank. On the end of the line, I added a filter sock, and formed a lead weight around the end of the line at the sock. The weight may have been a repurposed tire balance weight.
    I could hear the weight shifting around in the tank on hard stops, or on side/slope angles, always keeping the pickup in the deep part of the tank.
    -Donny
     
    Danefraz and Ol Fogie like this.
  15. 47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    This style doesnt have a pick up. It's submersible..im going to make a reservoir that surrounds the pump with holes in the bottom to slow the sloshing of fuel around th pump itself. Otherwise I would have to surround the entire pump with this stuff...
     
  16. jeep peep69

    jeep peep69 Member

    I made a pump baffle/reservoir out of a tomato juice can cut the top off trimmed it to the depth I needed took a can opener and punched four holes in it shoved it in the tank and inserted the pump in it worked great. This was a pump on the pickup tube in a chevy s 10 that I put a auxiliary tank in the bed.
     
    OldAdobe and 47v6 like this.
  17. 47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    similar plan.....
     
    PeteL likes this.