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Old Mar 16, 2007 | 05:33 PM
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Default Larger Fuel Tank

I'm looking to get a larger fuel tank in my 77 so I can drive more than 60 miles without having to stop for gas . Has anyone put in a fuel-safe fuel cell or is there a tank upgrade that works with the original hardware (sending units etc.) ?
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Old Mar 16, 2007 | 06:06 PM
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OR if anyone knows how expansion tanks are hooked in or if there are any available for a 77 that would be helpful too. The car has had the spare tire removed so there is some extra space to work with.
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Old Mar 16, 2007 | 06:12 PM
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You could have a custom tank built. That's the only option I can think of. Rock Valley can build a custom tank. http://www.rockvalleyantiqueautoparts.com/catalog.htm
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Old Mar 16, 2007 | 06:16 PM
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60 miles! I thought mine was bad at 130 or so. I'd bet the bladder is collapsed in yours. I did have an outfit in LA that offered to make a 30 gallon alloy cell that dropped into the area formerly occupied by the spare, but they didn't want to know what it fit because the spare is part of the crash protection from the factory and it would have been off-road certified only. I'd bet there are any number of tank manufacturers that could do the same thing.

Hans
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Old Mar 16, 2007 | 06:18 PM
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its not that the tank is defective , its that my engine is a custom job and only geets about 5-6 MPG highway. it hurts >.<
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Old Mar 16, 2007 | 06:19 PM
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Between taking out the tank bladder and adding overdrive I increased the range on my 75 from around 100 miles to over 200. Not sure what the 77 has for a bladder or if you'd want to die in a fiery crash in your quest for extra range though.
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Old Mar 16, 2007 | 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by jdmick
Not sure what the 77 has for a bladder or if you'd want to die in a fiery crash in your quest for extra range though.
That's why a racing style fuel cell is the way to go. They're even safer than the bladders. OD is sure a good answer, though!

Hans
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Old Mar 16, 2007 | 06:26 PM
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this is a manual so cant add any more gears. the rear end is a 3.36, not sure if thats stock or longer but i think its longer. A fuel cell would be optimal but i dont want to deal with stuff that doesnt work with the stock hardware.
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Old Mar 16, 2007 | 10:24 PM
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Why don't you tune it?

BigBlockk

Later.....
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Old Mar 19, 2007 | 03:23 PM
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it is tuned... if you check my profile though at my upgrade list you'll know why the mileage is so bad... im running a 750 SpeedDemon on a high comp setup 383. Its basically a 1/4 mile drag car.
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Old Mar 19, 2007 | 03:35 PM
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me also in the camp what thinks you can tune a little better mpg. i didn't see anything in your profile that would keep that setup from getting at least 10 mpg, maybe better, besides the carb. you didn't say what kind of tranny and converter you have. you may be losing a lot with a low efficiency converter. have you checked the A/F ratio? maybe you can move it up a little without slowing down in the 1/4?
jmho
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Old Mar 19, 2007 | 05:01 PM
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5-6 mpg on the highway with 3.36 rear end gears is unbelievably bad. That carb needs to be tuned for highway driving efficiency (probably for 10-15% throttle) as well as for full WOT racing. Your carb needs some serious work done to it.....you should be getting 10-12 mpg, at least.
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Old Mar 19, 2007 | 05:27 PM
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ill call the builder and see what he says, whats weirder is that despite its appetite for gas, i have not seen it blow any black smoke!
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Old Mar 19, 2007 | 05:37 PM
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Get it on a dyno and have the A/F ratio checked, change jets until your entire powerband is within a 12-13:1 ratio. That should also get you max HP and Torque.

I'm running a larger cam (282), lower gears (3.55), same carb, 4-speed and still manage around 10-11 on the highway. 481 H.P./490 Ft/lb
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Old Mar 19, 2007 | 05:44 PM
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Gotta' agree here, get it on a dyne with the sniffer hooked up. Bet you pick up some time at the strip as well..

Hans
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Old Mar 19, 2007 | 05:46 PM
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im really curious to know what the actual power made by this motor is, the build (Ed Gaunt) claims it should be something over 450 hp. Ill update this post when I have some more info for you guys

As an aside this thing diesels like mad when you turn it off... sometimes itll stumble and even kick back on for a few seconds then quit. The builder told me that he put in some kinda drain the removes power from the electrical system to help with that, my brother says it does it because its "dialed-in" for racing. Forgive my carb ignorance, im totally a fan of FI

Last edited by karioth; Mar 19, 2007 at 05:51 PM.
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