LocostUSA.com

Does anybody know how many gallons a book gas tank is? I want a little space in the back for a tooth brush in the boot !

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Cant do it til you try

The plans in the book are merely a guide - build (or buy) whatever size suits you. Usually there is some space left over on top of the tank.

I think I remember seeing an ad in the back of GRM or Sportscar that was for a company that sold fuel cells. (ATL maybe?) They had a picture of one for a locost as their example for their "custom designs." So it appears as though you can have them pretty much made to measurement. I'll look it up when I get home and get contact info.

Here's a link to ATL's online catalog in .pdf look there to see if you can find one that suits your needs.

http://www.atlinc.com/US/catalogs.html

Out of curiousity I looked at Stock Car Products site and found a cell that is relatively cheap and pretty close to Locost size. It's one of their "JAZ" foam filled polyethylene units.

JAZ20001001 10 gal. length 25" width 9" height12" $156.50

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He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

Don

I did the math a couple years ago, and I believe that the book tank was between 7 -1/4 to 7 -1/2 gallons.

You need to allow at least an additional inch of clearance above the tank, for the sending unit, and pump connections. I used banjo fittings to keep as low a profile as possible so I would have room for a large size tooth bush.
If you use right angle AN fittings you'll have to have increase that clearance.

I would also suggest that you design your trunk with access panels or make the rear half removable.
Dave W

Ebay Fuel Cell
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/8-GALLON ... 3368QQrdZ1
US $86.00
99.1% positive feedback

The meassurements are close. L x W x H--(28 x 8 x 9.5 ), and a couple guys will make custom shapes usually under 100 before shipping.

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I'll keep an eye out for you!

To err is human...
I am more human than most.

Triumph Spitfire tank fits too. 9.9 gallons / 37.6 liters

Unfortunately the fuel tank in a Seven seems to be the "deformable structure" in an rear-end accident (depending on the on-coming bumper height). For that reason it's really important to use a safe fuel tank design. "Safe" means a real fuelcell, with a rubber bladder and foam. The rubber keeps it from leaking, and if it rips open, the foam keeps the fuel from spraying into the air in an explosive mix.

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains, http://www.kimini.com/book_info/

Found what I was looking for: The company is called "Fuel Safe."

Look at the bottom of page 3 in this Pdf. http://fuelsafe.com/pdf/Custom.pdf

They make two different size fuel cells for the Lotus 7, 5 gal, and 7 gal. Tig welded aluminum with foam core and rubber bladder. This is probably as safe, sturdy, attactive, and expensive fuel cell you can put into your build. I called for a price quote just for kicks and nearly crapped my pants when I heard what this cell costs:









Are you sitting down?





















$1,262.00

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He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

I almost crapped your pants as well!! I made mine out of 5052 aluminum over form blocks,then solid riveted it together wet with aircraft tank sealant (proseal). It cost me $30 to make. If I could figure out how to post pix I put one of it on here.

Fletch.


Foam sounds like a good idea

I used their 10" x 10" x 20" 10gallon in-stock unit. Around $750. At least I worry less about burning to death.

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains, http://www.kimini.com/book_info/

Can you get the foam out? The stuff has a lifespan of only a few years...

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains, http://www.kimini.com/book_info/

In fact the foam is such a good idea that I prabably did'nt have to put the baffles in my tank. I could probably still get the foam thru the holes on top tho


Thank for the pix help KENLUDE97!!! Fletch [img][img]http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m239/thkafer/rivetedtank.jpg[/img][/img]

What about these? He will make custom shape and an aluminum or steel shell could be made. Not quite as good as a bladder tank but near and with the spare and other sheet and tube should fare well. http://stores.ebay.com/Competition-Race-Accessories

The foam does NOT stop sloshing, all it does is prevent atomization of the fuel in an accident. You still need baffles.

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains, http://www.kimini.com/book_info/

How do you know this to be true (the sloshing, not the atomization)? I think the foam resists slosh. Baffles too--the type Ronny described in his book--resists slosh; they don't stop it.

In my opinion, the foam resists slosh nicely. Maybe its because my tank is stuffed full. I once took quite a few very hard 180 degree turns--the kind which excedes the tires mechnical grip. The car did fine. Then, 1/2 mile away the car died while driving at cruising speed and going straight. The cause: out of fuel. When I was turning sharply, I turned in both directions, so the fuel pickup should have been exposed a few times during the turning sequence.

--HTH, Chris