Sammy's CF Bedford Van

[Sammy]

So I modified the commodore fuel tank to fit in place of the original, and also finished off the fuel door and filling neck from the commodore, all fits really well!

and of course seeing how the fuel tank was now in, I just had to run some fuel lines and start the motor first time its ever run in the car, and only ever once before ran on engine stand in my mates workshop after I built it .... so very stoked

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZQeiBA2OGg

[Dano]

awesome Sammy, what is the trick to welding fuel tanks? I've seen a couple "reach for the sky", cheers Dano

[Sammy]

well there is no real trick other than make sure its dry from fuel hehehe ....

I've had this tank out of the commodore for near on a year now and its been bone dry that whole time.

but if you wanted to weld a tank that was just removed from a car I'd suggest filling it with water and then welding it with the water still in it (if practical) .... then make sure you dry it thoroughly afterwards!

[BusyKiwi]

filling it with water works, and when done drain out as much as you can and then pour some kerosene in it to help break down the water.

Remember it's not the fuel that goes boom, it's the fumes

Another way to degas a fuel tank is by exhaust fumes, place hose from exhaust into tank and run vehicle for while. Leave settle for a bit and do the smell test, if you smell petrol repeat

[Dano]

Thats a good one Busy....

[Merlin]

Guys a word of caution be very careful welding fuel tanks as its not just the fumes that are a danger ,old tanks build up fuel risin over time as it is heated by the welding process it turns into fuel vapour causing an explosion(as my brother found out !! he was killed when a tank he was welding exploded ) destroying a 16m X 10m shed and six cars. so be real careful out there guys

[Sammy]

making good progress on the van, yesterday dispite the heat my brother and I managed to finish making the radiator support frame and finished it all off with thermo fan radiator mounts, so the radiator and fans are now all done!

[Dano]

Sorry about your Bro Neil, that's not good...... yep I certainly have no intenions to play with fuel tanks, but I do need an Ally one modified... and should have done it b4 putting fuel in....BUGA.

[Marishka]

Sorry to hear about your brother Neil.

[Sammy]

spent the weekend head scratching and brain storming and worked out a suitable seat mount for the commodore seats.... they are wider then the Bedford frames, but I also wanted to get it back a bit as it would hit on the steering column almost in the full forwards position.

so its all sorted now, only thing left I want to do is put tin plate on the front and sides of it, which should also make it 200% more rigid (not that's its not now) and I'm also doubling the amount of bolts to hold it all in .... "to be sure to be sure"