Fuel Cell Install

Fuel Cell Install

Last year, I noticed that I was having fuel supply problems when the fuel level in the stock tank dropped below 3/8 of a tank. So I decided to put in a fuel cell. The NHRA mandates that the fuel cell must be isolated from the passenger compartment, which presents a unique problem for us hatchback owners. There are really two solutions. One is to build or buy a bulkhead which sits vertically between the two side panels and seals against the hatchback glass. You can buy these from Wolfe Racecraft. The only problem I had with this solution is that you lose all your hatch space, and frankly, it doesn't look all that nice. On top of that, you have to bolt your fuel cell to that flimsy metal that makes up the spare tire well, and the bottom of the well isn't flat. The other solution is what I did. Here is my fuel cell box.

All the images below are thumbnails. Clicking on them will bring up the bigger images.

This is the box that I designed to replace my spare tire well. Notice how it looks pretty similar to that fiberboard cover that comes stock in Mustangs to cover the spare tire.

Here are a few more angles that show the sump and the top cover.

Mr. Sawzall, meet Mr. Car.....

Phew, I measured right when I dimensioned the box...

And just a few well placed stitch welds, and the car is back together.

These pictures show where the -8AN line runs. It starts in the back by the fuel cell, runs over the axle to the left of the passenger side upper control arm, then runs above the passenger side muffler, down the rear seat footwell, along the subframe connector to the front wheel well.

And the last couple of miscellanious pictures show the vent line from the fuel cell to the outside, the rear mounted filter, and the regulator in the engine bay.

There is an image below that shows the blueprint design for this box. Due to the resolution of image files though, it's probably not real readable. AutoCAD or similar programs can read the blueprint. It's presented here in several file formats. The generic DXF format, in ZIP form, which just about any CAD program should read, the AutoCAD 12 DXF format, which MOST CAD programs should read, the AutoCAD 14 DWG format, which some CAD programs and all newer AutoCAD programs should read, and PDF format, for those people who don't have a CAD program. The PDF format is readable by Adobe Acrobat.

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