Author Topic: fuel tank vent size  (Read 4334 times)

Offline 421Altered

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 17
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 5.09 in 1/8th
  • Your Engine: alky injected 421sbc
  • Your Track: Adel, Ga.
  • Your Vehicle: 125" Altered
  • General Location: South Georgia
fuel tank vent size
« on: February 05, 2019, 09:14:09 PM »
What is the proper size for a fuel tank vent when running alky with mech injection and a 1/2 pump, with a -10 line to the pump from the tank?  The tank is 4 gallons and mounted about 4 feet in front of the engine.  Also at the hit, is it possible for the fuel to slosh back due to g forces and close the rollover vent, thereby not allowing the tank to vent?  The rollover valve is mounted on the top rear of the tank.  Thanks.

Offline Spud Miller

  • Global Moderator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 332
    • View Profile
    • Fuel Injection Ent., LLC
Re: fuel tank vent size
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2019, 11:56:19 AM »

 For that size pump, a single -6 sized (3/8") vent would be more than enough vent. Air comes in a hole much easier than fuel goes out, so the vent doesn't need to be equal to the outlet size or anything like that.

 G-forces and the rollover vent shouldn't be an issue...suction will open it when it needs to. That same fuel rushing back hard against the back of the tank actually creates a bit of positive pressure on the outlet. No problem.

 Spud

Fuel Injection Enterprises, LLC
     Mechanical Injection
     Magnetos
     EFI Conversions

Offline dusterdave173

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 638
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 5.38in 1/8th
  • Your Engine: 355 CI SBC
  • Your Track: Mooresville, NC
  • Your Vehicle: CenPen 200 inch FED
Re: fuel tank vent size
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2019, 12:57:40 PM »
One note
I see almost every car with a curly "pigtail" with many loops
One loop will do--when you have a lot of tight loops fuel can stay there and actually block the vent like a sink trap
We ran a copper stub with one loop of clear hose so you could see what was happening--it never failed
3/8ths worked perfect and with the clear soft hose you can shove a bolt in the hose during travel or storage to prevent alky from sucking in water
Just my two cents worth
I have always had a fascination with fast cars at the expense of more normal character development

Offline Curly1

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 260
    • View Profile
    • AireTex Compressors
  • Your Best Time: 7.95 @ 167 1/4 mile
  • Your Track: Texas Motorplex
  • Your Vehicle: 125" Altered
Re: fuel tank vent size
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2019, 05:32:49 PM »
I agree -6 is large enough.

Offline 421Altered

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 17
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 5.09 in 1/8th
  • Your Engine: alky injected 421sbc
  • Your Track: Adel, Ga.
  • Your Vehicle: 125" Altered
  • General Location: South Georgia
Re: fuel tank vent size
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2019, 09:18:41 PM »
Thanks to all that replied and the info from Spud.  That's what I'm looking for. Thanks again!

Offline racerken

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 51
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 8.76 1/4 mile (FED)
  • Your Track: State Capital Raceway
  • Your Vehicle: FED
  • General Location: Baton Rouge La
Re: fuel tank vent size
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2019, 03:02:52 PM »
Dusterdave.  That is why I run my loups horazontal  rather than vertical .

dreracecar

  • Guest
Re: fuel tank vent size
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2019, 06:36:50 PM »
Quick test is to have the tank outside filled with water and the outlet blocked off, pull the plug and the water should not surge as it leaves the outlet, if it gulps and surges something is wrong. 

Offline 421Altered

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 17
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 5.09 in 1/8th
  • Your Engine: alky injected 421sbc
  • Your Track: Adel, Ga.
  • Your Vehicle: 125" Altered
  • General Location: South Georgia
Re: fuel tank vent size
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2019, 08:10:39 PM »
Thanks dreracecar!