First thread, first problem.

[sethmark]

Hi guys,
I picked up an older kit that wasn't finished from a friend this weekend. Kit number is 2643K. When he built the car initially he used the fuel safe cell.

The cell was built in 2001. The car received a couple gallons of gas max, the motor was started, and the project was put down.

What I know is that the gas is 10 years old. The bladder is 10 years old, the foam is 10 years old. But it's never been used. Is it dead? It seems a shame to throw out the thousand dollar fuel cell, but I'm not willing to ruin the fuel filter because I was pennywise and pound foolish.

To replace the cell is nearly $3000. To send it to fuel safe to fix is nearly $2000.

Any suggestions or thoughts?

[QSL]

If your not racing it, I would just clean it out and use it.

[frankeeski]

Same dimensions as the Fuel Safe
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/abt-suba122h/overview/
And if you don't mind going Steel vs Aluminum you can save almost $600
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/abt-su122h/overview/
And the least expensive alternative for a street car.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1134234,parttype,6268

[sethmark]

Thank you sir! My tank is the mustang direct replacement and is a little odd shaped. Do you know if the sender, filler and pump will directly transfer?

[frankeeski]

Thank you sir! My tank is the mustang direct replacement and is a little odd shaped. Do you know if the sender, filler and pump will directly transfer?

How about a picture of the tank we are talking about. All the Fuel Safe Cells I've seen in the past are rectangular and are the one FFR sells or used to sell for the Challenge Car. Here is a link to the FFR Fuel Safe cell
http://www.fuelsafe.com/store/sportsman/complete-sportsman-fuel-cells/sm122a-827.html
And here is a link to the replaceable bladder.
http://www.fuelsafe.com/store/sportsman/replacement-bladders/rb222a-831.html

[Bob Cowan]

The fuel cell was originally designed for the 351W powered Cobra. It has that odd shape because the original Mustang tank has the same shape.

You can replace the fuel cell with a stock Mustang tank. You also need to use the stock Mustang plastic cover. Depending on how the cell was mounted, you might also need to replace the retainer straps.

The Cell is also designed to use the stock Mustang filler neck, fuel pump and gauge sender. Assuming the original builder used Mustang parts, you can re-use them. But, you will need to buy a new Mustang tank vent.

This is what the original tank looks like

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/bobcowan/fueltank_004smallcopy.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/bobcowan/media/fueltank_004smallcopy.jpg.html)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/bobcowan/fueltank_002smallcopy.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/bobcowan/media/fueltank_002smallcopy.jpg.html)

And this is what the Fuel Safe cell looks like. Some cases were bolted together, and some were welded.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/bobcowan/FuelCell_003small.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/bobcowan/media/FuelCell_003small.jpg.html)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/bobcowan/FuelCell_002small.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/bobcowan/media/FuelCell_002small.jpg.html)

Notice in that last picture there's a large oval cover bolted in place. That closes in the top of the cell. You can easily remove that cover to gain access to the inside of the cell. If it were my fuel cell, I would remove that cover and clean out the bladder. I would also replace all the open cell foam that's in there. You can buy it from Summit pretty cheaply.

Take note of the collector on the right side of the tank, directly beneath the pick up. That must go back in the same place, and in the same orientation. The foam holds it in place.

[sethmark]

Thanks bob! That's the tank for certain. The cell has been stored in the car in colorado... A nice dry climate. I'm going to drop the tank this week and at least pull the cover and see the condition of the bladder. Certainly replacing the foam is a much more cost effective solution. Have you had the foam out?

[CraigS]

The foam has always been a replacement part in all brands of cells as far as I know. I am not sure about the bladder though I would be worried if it were mine. In the boating world ethanol in gas has been causing huge problems because they have tanks made from aluminum,fiberglass,plastic, or SS depending on make. I have to think a 10 year old cell would also have problems as they had no clue about ethanol when they were choosing materials.

[Bob Cowan]

I havn't had the foam out for replacement yet. But I have opened the cell and inspected the foam near the hole. That was no problem. The foam comes in various sizes, like bricks. Once you get the foam bricks out, you can order more.

The small amount of ethanol in the fuel shouldn't be a problem. It's only 10%, and that evaporates quickly. The real problem is the old fuel that's turned to sludge.