Saturday Night Racer - Fuel Cell Removal

Kdawg33A

Ex Member

Fuel Cell Removal
12/04/08 at 10:08am

The Tech Official at VAR has told me even though my car was built 7 years ago, the fuel cell I am running is illegal the way it is, and I must fix it before racing the 2009 Season.

I am not sure how long the rule has been written this way but it says the bottom of the fuel cell must not be any lower than the center of the axle tube.
As far as I can tell (and from what I have gathered) is the rule used to state "No lower than center of pumpkin."

I am unable to simply raise the tank in position because the "X" off the cage is pretty much resting on the top of the cell at the furthest rear point. Besides, The Can needs replaced as it has a rust hole in it. (been bothering me for awhile, no need for the safety speech)

Anyone ever have to replace an Old Cell? What should I do to minimize the threat of explosion beyond removing fuel.

I have a torch, cut off wheel, grinders and access to a plasma cutter, but they all throw sparks.

The saws-all seems the only thing I have that doesn't (or at least to a lessor degree).

Any suggestions?

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CamaroKid

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Way out front!

Re: Fuel Cell Removal
Reply #1 - 12/04/08 at 11:10am

If you've got the time,drain the fuel and leave the cap off for a few days and let it vent out and dry up inside, sawzall is a good bet to get it out, then clean it up with a cutting wheel and flap disc.
I'm building a new car (camaro) and I have the same issue with the x in the trunk and getting a fuel cell that fits, thanks for posting the rule on height, I'll be keeping that in mind.

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imracin68j LMR God Offline Do the impossible Posts: 6228	Re: Fuel Cell Removal Reply #2 - 12/04/08 at 11:57am When doing it next time, make a frame around the fuel cell "outside the car" that will bolt up to your chassis.
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mjkracer LMR Member Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 187	Re: Fuel Cell Removal Reply #3 - 12/10/08 at 8:13pm Also after you drain it and let it dry, fill it with water to flush it out I have seen a fuel cell blow up if you don't put water in it when you are servicing it. Even though you take the foam out it, it still has enough fumes in it to blow up not a pretty sight. So flush it and leave water in it when you cut it out. Good luck.
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bouncermike03 LMR Member Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 199	Re: Fuel Cell Removal Reply #4 - 12/10/08 at 8:29pm thanx culver! LOL
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Kdawg33A Ex Member	Re: Fuel Cell Removal Reply #5 - 12/10/08 at 8:44pm What a simple yet effective idea. Thanks MJK.
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Dietzsch_Racing25

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Re: Fuel Cell Removal
Reply #6 - 12/11/08 at 9:24am

mjkracer wrote on 12/10/08 at 8:13pm:

Also after you drain it and let it dry, fill it with water to flush it out I have seen a fuel cell blow up if you don't put water in it when you are servicing it. Even though you take the foam out it, it still has enough fumes in it to blow up not a pretty sight. So flush it and leave water in it when you cut it out. Good luck.

That is a good idea!

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OLD SCHOOL#6

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CHEVY RUMBLE !!

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Re: Fuel Cell Removal
Reply #7 - 12/11/08 at 10:21am

If it is somewhere around a 20 galon tank it will weigh somewhere around 160 lbs when full of H20 which makes it kinda tough to handle. I would purge with nitrogen or argon, both are inert gasses and will not allow a fire, and a bunch easier to handle when you get it cut lose......................JMO

P.S. You could use helium, which is lighter than air, and it would be real light to handle.............OK maybe not that much lighter .............. Grin

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mw56racing

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Re: Fuel Cell Removal
Reply #8 - 12/13/08 at 9:16pm

I have blown up a gas tank full of water. I was trying to weld the neck back on after I shortened it and I got about half way around when it blew me on my butt and swelled up like a balloon. It only takes one little vapor pocket trapped to ignite. I have since found a better way to do it. If you run exhaust from a small engine into the tank until the tank is warm even with gas still in it it will not ignite. the burnt exhaust displaces the oxegen and without oxegen no explosion. I have cut and welded on several tanks this way.

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RACING-FAN LMR Senior Offline Posts: 281 California	Re: Fuel Cell Removal Reply #9 - 12/14/08 at 9:13am Can you fit a sawsall in there?
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hogracer3d LMR God Offline We bust our a$$ to kick yours-!!! Posts: 3933	Re: Fuel Cell Removal Reply #10 - 12/14/08 at 11:19am empty blow it dry and then put a couple of chunks of dry ice in it for a while before you start. Dirt cheap insurance
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