Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => SCTA Rule Questions => Topic started by: Genuine GM on May 21, 2010, 12:45:37 PM
-
For a car/truck (ie: not a bike) what is the location preferred for the Fuel Shut-off? I am running electric pumps, with an inertia switch. I will list my two conflicting thoughts below.
Fuel Shut-Off between tank and Pump:
Pros: Shutting off fuel close to tank means any fuel line rupture won't drain the tank into the fire.
Cons: Fuel Line from shut-off all the way to the engine is still full of fuel, in the case of an engine fire, this will only feed the fire.
Fuel Shut-Off at engine:
Pros: During Engine Fire, fuel is shut off closest to the fire, reducing the volume of fuel available to the fire due to fuel line integrity failure.
Cons: Roll over or other crash could rupture lines and drain tank.
I work on Helicopters and the fuel shut-offs are ALWAYS close to the fuel cell outlet. But Jet Fuel (glorified diesel) has different characteristics than gas.
If I put the shut-off at the tank, then run hard line to the engine compartment, will tech want a fire sleeve on the braided part going from the frame to the engine, a fire sleeve on everything, or nothing at all?
I did a search and came up with more questions than answers. Thanks in advance. :cheers:
-
I don't see anything in the rules that says you can't have more than one fuel shut off valve/switch. Put the inertia switch on the fuel pump, and put an oil pressure switch and a valve of some kind at the other end of the hardline. Therefore any fuel remaining between them if a line ruptured would be somewhere on the ground behind where you come to a stop, theoretically.
-----
edited at 3:30PM to correct terminology
-
The inertia isn't a valve, just an electronic switch that kills power to the fuel pump during a specific G event.
-
The inertia isn't a valve, just an electronic switch that kills power to the fuel pump during a specific G event.
Yes, I know it's a switch, I corrected my phrasing in my reply above.
-
Add this to the mix. On an injected engine (non-electronic) 99% are between the pump and barrel valve; most being right on the valve. Most don't worry about what is in the line. (other than Smokey Yunick who liked to get a couple of gallons in his fuel lines) Good Luck
-
Smokey tried to keep a couple in the filler neck as well. I love reading anything he wrote.