Okay..I'm just about to bolt up my new high-zoot fuel system and am wondering if I should set-up a pre-filter and run the foam in the cell, or take the foam out and not run with a pre-filter...I've heard rumors that the foam breaks down and all that, but I've never actually talked with anyone who has reported problems with it breaking down.

Either way are your guy's running a pre-filter before your pumps?

-D

I have the old fuel cell from Paul Brown's SCCA car. It had one season of use on it and the foam was already starting to crumble. From a thread a long time ago I remember the success rate was about 50/50. Some people never had any problems and others has alot of problems.

the dirt track crowd pulls the foam out and replaces it with 1 quart oil bottles with the bottoms cut off and the cap off. seems to keep the slosh down to a minimum and doesn't break down. mike

Run the foam!!! :)

Prefilter is always a good idea. Picked up a tank full of SAND from a podunk gas station one time. Had twin fuel pumps, with seperate filters, on them to prevent any possible fuel DNF's. Damn, took out both pumps! [Pro Rally vehicle].

On the filters, they were mounted right in front, and below, the tank. Pumps right next to them. Less than 1' of fuel line from tank to pumps. Pumps had built in check valves, so the would not "back flow". Pumps don't like to suck, but push just fine... so the large filters acted like sump bowls to insure a good fuel flow to the pumps.

Foam is usually something like a 5 to 10 year replacement. Just helps prevent sloshing, and reduce any fire hazards. There was some fuel additive that caused problems with foam about 10 (?) years back. I'd check the foam annually to see if there is any problem, if someone had problems... seem to remember California and Midwest came up (California's low smog additives also played havoc with some fuel lines... rotting them out badly. Midwest used lots of Alcohol additives... which caused other problems. Once again, this was a while back... getting old and forgetting things!).

Tom :usa:

if in CA stay away from alc based fuel! am pm, beacon any lame ass place!

Originally posted by roundrocktom
Run the foam!!! :)

Prefilter is always a good idea. Picked up a tank full of SAND from a podunk gas station one time. Had twin fuel pumps, with seperate filters, on them to prevent any possible fuel DNF's. Damn, took out both pumps! [Pro Rally vehicle].
Tom :usa:

Thanks guy's...Tom, didn't your pre-filter(s) stop the sand from entering the pump? Damn, that's an expensive fill-up!

I'm thinking of running a 6-AN Earls pre-filter right at the inlet of the pump...It's rated at 35 microns....Mallory (the maker of the pump) recommends 100 micron pre-filter. I'm thinking 35 is plenty but I've been wrong before. Not to mention the 100micron AN servicable filters get pricy in a hurry. I just don't want the pump to jam at the (always perfectly) wrong time...

--D

I talked to a guy from RCI. He said to keep the foam below the fuel level. This will extend the life of the foam, especially when the rig sits for long periods of time.

Originally posted by gunracer1
the dirt track crowd pulls the foam out and replaces it with 1 quart oil bottles with the bottoms cut off and the cap off. seems to keep the slosh down to a minimum and doesn't break down. mike

I once tried to pour gas in a milk jug....

It ate the bottom out of the jug as fast as I could pour the gas in it. That isn't something I would suggest anyone try, there are special additives that need to be present to prevent gas from eating most plastics.

Originally posted by RockRover


Thanks guy's...Tom, didn't your pre-filter(s) stop the sand from entering the pump? Damn, that's an expensive fill-up!

--D

Bingo... didn't believe BOTH filters could have clogged up, but wasn't sure what the problem was. Quick fix was to bypass the filters. Uh, sounded good at the time.

Not as bad as the time I managed to SWALLOW gas! Yes, actually took in a mouthfull of gas (hint, no fuel spout... but about 4' of 3/4" heater hose). Maybe the start of my stomach ulcers? :(

Tom :usa:

I run the foam and get a little debris from it which is easily taken care of. I did leave the top off one time and went wheelin for a couple hoursand never spilled a drop.

Originally posted by JEEP_TJ_FREAK


I once tried to pour gas in a milk jug....

It ate the bottom out of the jug as fast as I could pour the gas in it. That isn't something I would suggest anyone try, there are special additives that need to be present to prevent gas from eating most plastics.

motor oil will eat milk jugs too, but not motor oil containers, they are different platics...