Making a fuel tank?

[Keith_J]

I have an older MEP-026A that came without a fuel tank, I fixed the carburetor and it runs fine off remote tank, just have a few other issues to work through like exhaust manifold leaking and needs a good PMCS Monday. All the other parts are sourced, I just cannot find a fuel tank.

So, I took some measurements and am thinking of making one from aluminum. I'm pretty good at GTAW of aluminum, especially new stuff that is clean.

Would it be crazy to make my own tank? Or should I just run it off remote? Mind you, this is a 28 volt DC generator, most suitable for jump starting and charging military equipment. I plan to use it as an APU for my M1031 SECM to power my home brew 28 volt DC air conditioning system.

 

[tim292stro]

Can't you just run it off a 5-gallon jerry-can? If you plan to use it with the M1031, you should be able to use similar plumbing for an arctic cargo heater to fuel that genny, and would allow you to plug in a 5-gallon can for field jobs.

I think the 5-gallon Scepter fuel tanks have a fuel fitting cap that has supply and return lines plus a vent.

 

[Jimc]

if your good at welding aluminum man go for it! i know guys here that make custom fuel tanks all the time.

 

[Chrispyny]

if your good at welding aluminum man go for it! i know guys here that make custom fuel tanks all the time.

Exactly.

Man i wish i had a tig machine. I would have made a custom tank for my mep-002a by now. I want a 50 gal remote for it but the transfer tanks at tractor supply etc are so expensive and they are hard to find on clist for a good price.

 

[zout]

If your good at what you do - there is no reason you cannot try and make one - just raising the question appears you have the skill and already know what to check for when your done - post pics when your done with it - I say GO FOR IT

 

[dschuler]

Don't forget to put "walls" inside the tank to prevent the fuel from bouncing around.

 

[glassk]

$15 plus shipping and you should still make one just because the fabricator bug has already bitten ,...

 

[Chrispyny]

View attachment 496199

$15 plus shipping and you should still make one just because the fabricator bug has already bitten ,...

How many gallons is that and what is it off of ?

 

[Keith_J]

By golly that looks like a 3kW fuel tank! (MEP 016a, 021a and 026a) About 3.75 gallons.

 

[glassk]

 

[rosco]

Fuel tanks are a lot of work, and vibration is the main thing that takes out those small ones. Vibration is hard to engineer for, so if you can make a deal for a used one, it wouldn't be a bad thing.

 

[Aerialfred]

Speaking of fuel tanks, where does one find a fuel tank for an M38A1 jeep? Mine is too rusty to save. Are there other tanks that will fit if I can't find a nos or replacement?
thanks,
Fred