How to mount the fuel cell, in my IMSA 914? Options

[FourBlades]

Thinking about how to mount the fuel cell in my IMSA 914 so it will comply with most vintage, SCCA, and PCA rules.

The original cell was mounted in a square of angle iron that was welded very securely to the floor of the front trunk. It was welded to some 1/8" thick plates welded to the trunk pan and was really hard to cut out even though everything was rusted badly.



At the top the cell was held on by angle iron bolted to the trunk bulkhead through the lip of the cell. It was also held on at the front using some small steel straps. I think you need more straps going all the way around the cell now.



I was thinking of making a similar rectangular frame from 1/8 x 1" angle iron and welding that to plates welded to the trunk using some stand offs to raise the tank high enough to clear the oil cooler shroud. Then going vertically around the tank with some steel straps and securing the rear of the cell to the bulkhead.

I was going to leave enough room in the frame to line it with some rubber gasket material to prevent direct metal contact, good idea or not?



I could tie it into the front trunk tubes but that does not seem like the right thing to do. I also want to make sure all the oil and fuel stuff can be removed, serviced and replaced before I go welding crazy. I may have to make a 2 piece oil cooler shroud to make it removable with the front trunk cross bar.



I can really use some help from the community on this. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chowtime.gif)

Thanks...John

[McMark]

I don't have any insight on the fuel cell. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Couple of thoughts on the oil cooler thought...

Can you lower the bar that goes over the cooler? Put it as low as possible and modify the cooler shroud?

And along that vein, are you going to have enough room for the oil cooler fittings?

[FourBlades]

I don't have any insight on the fuel cell. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Couple of thoughts on the oil cooler thought...

Can you lower the bar that goes over the cooler? Put it as low as possible and modify the cooler shroud?

The shroud is a very tight fit to the top of the cooler. There is no room under the shroud for the bar. I think the original owners would have bent something up from aluminum sheet so I may think about doing that.

And along that vein, are you going to have enough room for the oil cooler fittings?

This had me puzzled for a while as well. Straight fittings work but lead to a big bend in the oil lines. 90s hit the tubes. I realized the 45 will clear and will allow good routing to the thermostat. I ordered some 45s this week so I will see if they do fit soon.