Fuel Cell

[JJCobra]

I have #478 with the standard 30 gallon fuel tank and was wondering how many folks have upgraded to a fuel cell. The thought of getting rear ended or somehow wheels up with fuel pooling near the drivers compartment makes me think the ~$2000 may be worth it. Any thoughts, comments, recommendations? Thanks.

Jason

[aldersonjames20]

I don't have a Kirkam, but I do have a fuel cell. I hate the look of it as it hangs down past the lowest part of the rear bumber area by about 6 inches and its bright red. When I bought the car I got the original tank with the car, so I took it to a shop to put the original back in. The guy who owned the shop is a muscle and high performance guy and refused to do it for me. He has seen many fires in cars over the years and said that he would not be responsible for taking the only saftey feature in the entire car out of it. He did offer to charge me even more money to come up with some sort of body colored cover for it so it wasn't so obvious, but that was the extent of what he was willing to do. This told me a lot about how much safer a fuel cell is, so I kept it. I am also installing a scatter shield this winter, but thats another story.

Anyway, my opinion is that the cost is worth it, just get one that looks like the original tank including the ability to be filled the normal way. I have to go through the trunk to fill mine, and its a pain.

James

[Morris]

Jason

Fuel Safe already has the spec's for the kirkham and it's a match to the original 42 gal. tank.... which you don't see from the back of the car....

Morris

[rsimoes]

Can't you use the same argument of safety for every car on the road with a rear tank? I'm not sure the real need for one or wouldn't every car on the road need one too?

That being said, sure, it would make it safer in an accident.

[mickmate]

I've been building stainless tanks for street cars and a 4000 at the moment. I've been putting a rollover/vent valve in them at my friends insistence. Some of them want to keep me around which is your consideration also. Safety is always more important than looks or originality. Having said that I believe a solidly constructed tank with all the right hardware, ground strap etc will work fine on a street car without a bladder. The suggested sources have available the cell type construction as does the Shelby 4000 tanks.

[aldersonjames20]

Originally Posted by rsimoes

Can't you use the same argument of safety for every car on the road with a rear tank? I'm not sure the real need for one or wouldn't every car on the road need one too?

That being said, sure, it would make it safer in an accident.

As our good friend Jeff Foxworthy would say... here's your sign.

James