hello i am converting to tpi in my old camaro i am working on the design for my fuel system. i think i am going to go with the external pump and i was going to use THIS to weld under my tank, now my question is: can i plumb the feed and return lines into the bottom of the tank or does the return have to go in throught the top?? also if you have any other suggestions i would appreciate it thanks!

 

Usually return lines go to the top, but I guess a return to the bottom would work, maybe.

I hope you are a very good welder, because fuel tanks are just thin sheet metal and you really don't want it to leak. Also, crawl under the car and take some measurements to make sure the sump will clear the rearend housing and exhaust. Its been a while since I was really looking at the clearance back there, would be a shame to get the tank all finished and then have a clearance issue.

BTW, why not just go with walbro or something in tank? I have a Walbro 255 lph and it installed easily and works fine...

 

good advice thanks. the reason i am not going with a walbro is because this is a 67 camaro (sssshhh dont tell anyone its not a third gen) it nver had FI so something has to be fabed, im just trying to avoid buying a $900 tank

 

I see said the blind man!!!

Boy do I love first gens!!!

Good luck...

 

I have the best way to do it. Just get a thirdgen gas tank and sending unit from the junkyard. Then cut the top of that tank around the sending unit. Then cut the same size hole(1' square usually) on top of your 67 gas tank and weld the top of the thirdgen tank on. Then you can just slip a stock sending unit and inline pump.....

 

It should clear the rear end without any problems, it may interfere with the muffler though

 

that was one of my choices, what should i do about baffling around the pump to keep from fuel sludge??

 

Hobby shop or Sears hardware, .030" brass sheet. Fold right angles on it and solder it to the bottom of the tank. Form a box but leave some openings in the bottom corners for fuel to enter. Can also get fancy with swinging doors.

Use a good solder such as Stay-Brite (has some silver in it). Sticks right good to the terne coating of the tank.

Have the return line enter back into the top of the box area.

RBob.

 

hey good idea thanks! i will probobly braze it just for a little more strength, could also work with steel right? might be just a little cheaper, thanks!

 

Return should be at the top and the pick-up at the bottom.

Ideally, the pump should be below the pickup to be gravity fed. Most pumps are designed to push, not pull.

Any questions, give Walbro or Holley, etc., a call.

Jake

 

I try to prevent introducing an area that can rust. Sheet metal from a HVAC sytem may be a good choice as it is galvanized. To patch the round hole in the top of the tank (used to access the interior) I used a piece of HVAC sheet metal, stainless steel sheet metal screws, and the StayBrite.

I screwed it down first then soldered. The solder is for leak proofing and the screws will prevent the patch from blowing off if the vehicle is hit in the rear.

RBob.

 

I did the conversion in a 1971. What did was to use the fuel sending unit out of a late thirdgen. It fit right in the hole of my 1971 tank with no modifications! If the '68 is the same as the '71, youre all set. All I had to do is some minor bending of the lines so the pump wouldn't bottom out on the tank. Also, my 1971 fuel gauge works well with the fuel level sender since both are 0-90 ohm potentiometers.

For venting, I kept the same vent lines on the '71 tank. However, the thirdgen sending unit had about 4 to 5 lines on it. I used one for the supply line, one for the return line, and simply sealed up the rest.

As far as baffling, I had a gas tank shop weld a tray in the bottom of the tank, such that the pump sits in it. The tray has small bleed holes at the corners to allow fuel to slowly move in and out, but not big enough to allow fuel to move away from and starve the pump during high-G maneuvers.

With this setup, I get the quiet operation of an in-tank pump, and I get to use a factory GM LT4 fuel pump (or any aftermarket in-tank pump if I choose).

 

To ULTM8Z. Beautiful car dude!! Makes me wish I hadn't passed up that 71 I could've bought years ago for a measly $350. I love the combo of an old school muscle car with modern tech under the hood. I've got one of each with my 69 and my 89 I guess. I also like the fact that you went with the more subtle and much less common low rise spoiler. I've always wanted to do a 71 though since it's my birth year. Sweet car man! Btw, I have two complete 74-81 three piece spoilers if you know anyone that happens to need one.

 

Pat,

Thanks much! You might want to drop by www.nastyz28.com (second generation Camaro owners group) and go to the swap meet section with your spoiler.