Author Topic: Belly tank diameter question  (Read 22979 times)

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Offline hotrodderhaag

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Belly tank diameter question
« on: January 15, 2013, 09:20:10 PM »
I found an original aluminum belly tank that can be bought at a reasonable price. .. It is 23" diameter . Is that too small? I was gonna run a ford flathead v8. Please let me know your thoughts and opinions

Offline Stainless1

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2013, 10:06:05 PM »
Start by planning a layout.... do you have a Flathead to work with?  23 is fairly small, so my opinion is it is probably perfect... how long?  Don't forget you can make it an oval if you need width.
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Offline Jack Gifford

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2013, 01:03:49 AM »
... Don't forget you can make it an oval if you need width...
Almost anything can be done with the body for a special-construction category vehicle; just sayin'.
I suggest you study photos of old-time small-tank lakesters, especially those that had flatheads- either sixty-horse or "full size" V8 engines.
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Offline DND

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2013, 05:07:51 AM »
It also depends on how you want to set in the tank, all inside like Markley did or have your head out in the wind or maybe a canopy on top?

Don

Offline hotrodderhaag

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2013, 06:38:41 AM »
guys,
i have a 1937 21 stud for flathead v-8, trans, and rear end all running ready to go, compleley rebuilt....  id rather have my head out of it with a canopy i belive. the dimenssions of the tank i found are 23"dia x 14.5 feet long... its aluminum.   im buying the tank just cause its a good deal. and i would like to use it, but i almos thought about a fibergalss P38..... this will be my first belly tank build ever so i want it to go somewhat smooth. i know im squeezing ten lbs of shit in a five pound bag, but it gonna happen
 

Offline Dr Goggles

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2013, 07:42:33 AM »
Use the one you've found as a cowl..buy a 38 in glass, then you've got a cool lookin tank...
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Offline hotrodderhaag

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2013, 08:26:27 AM »
anyone have some good belly tank pictures> p38 style. i googled some.

Offline dw230

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2013, 11:20:45 AM »
Take a look at the American Hot Rod Foundation site, www.ahrf.com, they have a photo library beyond compare. Contact Jim Miller on that site, he can help locate hat you are looking for.

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Offline Jack Gifford

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2013, 01:09:13 AM »
My lakester (pictured in my avatar) uses a fiberglas P-38 replica tank made by ClassGlass in Maryland. It's 36" diameter and 150-some inches long.
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Offline wobblywalrus

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #9 on: January 17, 2013, 01:18:12 AM »
24 inches is plenty small.  I am not a real big guy at 5'-11 inches and my shoulders are wider than 22 inches with my leathers on.  That's less than an inch clearance on each side at the middle of the tank..   No way I could fit.  You will need some room to fidget. 

Offline DND

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #10 on: January 17, 2013, 05:22:19 AM »
Plus the frame - roll hoops -padding etc, you would have to be a Tenny-Bopper to even get in the thing !!

Offline hotrodderhaag

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #11 on: January 17, 2013, 06:42:17 AM »
im affraid you guys are correct. i think im gonna go ahead and build one with the p38 tank out of glass........... so that being said. where is the best place to get a  QUALITY fibergalss tank.?

Offline Captthundarr

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2013, 08:15:33 AM »
Try this fellow, he might be able to help. http://p38-droptank.com/P38-Drop_Tank.html

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Offline dw230

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #13 on: January 17, 2013, 11:36:25 AM »
Elmo's tanks are off the forms developed by the late Jack Kelly. Jack's tank, NOT tanker  :x, is the beautiful, yellow #64. The car has been in storage since Jack's passing. There are plans to move it to White Goose Bar World Headquarters for a refurbishing by the craftsmen on that team.

There may be beer involved.

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Offline hotrodderhaag

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Re: Belly tank diameter question
« Reply #14 on: January 17, 2013, 12:54:41 PM »
youll never hear me say TANKER... not intentionally anyways.


well i did some research.. found this company.
http://www.gothamcruisers.com/index.htm

they make a p38 tank with head rest for $1100.
and its nice looking,

they are using this companies tank in the build below:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=763913

and so far they are reslly happy with it from what im told.... other companys are at 1250 or higher for a glass p38 tank... and the gotham cruisers are about 4 hours from me, so i think i may order one from them and maybe take a tour of the place. from what i see and how they talk, they are  good at what they do.
« Last Edit: January 17, 2013, 01:02:03 PM by hotrodderhaag »