belly tank

4tford

4tford

Well-known member
Have any of you fellows squeezed a flatty bigger than a v8-60 into a 24" id belly (wing)tank?? Thanks Bill
 
Ain't done it, but I measure the width of my 59A to be about 21". Exhaust would be stubs exiting below the frame and out through the skin. Lots of builds over on the HAMB and Landracing.com
I think the builder of BlondeBitch is on here. Checkout his very neat build, http://vonwelker.com/bellytank-build/
 
4tford said:
Have any of you fellows squeezed a flatty bigger than a v8-60 into a 24" id belly (wing)tank?? Thanks Bill
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Tom Beatty was a friend of mine. Here is his car, He ran 296 ci flatheads
with 6-71 blowers. He held several records at Bonneville in the 50's.
 

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Tom Beattys tank was form a P-38 that's the widest drop tank made during WW 2 the capacity was 330 gallonsthe width was around 34 inches. I built a drop tank using the 300 gallon version from WW 2 used by the Navy and Army. My tank is Ford flathead V-8 powered the widest point of my tank is 31 inches which is just barley enough room to get things inside. Having built this car from scratch I can say there's lots more to think about for the width needed both where the engine is located and where the driver is located.
Things to consider how large is the water tank the fuel tank the fire system required where's the battery located transmission and controls for shifting the list goes on.
Its a great project I truly enjoy the time spent working on my car and coming up with ways to fit more thing in the small space available. I would be happy to give you more info send me a PM if your interested in building a laketer.
My first pass in the car five years ago in the mile and a half was a blistering 108 MPH last years top speed 181.8 MPH let me tell you its addictive.
Ron
 
Ron....All ya gotta do is watch and LISTEN to one of the onboard runs that you linked us to way back when, to become addicted. You still got the non-dizzying link handy? DD
 
Here's mine at El Mirage last November. It is a P-38. 36" diameter and it started out at 12'8" long. I added 20" to the length and it was still quite an exersize in packaging. Try this. Put on a -20 fire suit. Now measure the width of your shoulders. OK. Now build a roll structure out side of that. Don't forget that sooner or later you're going to want to get out of the Racer. Like Ronnie says, all of the "little" things add up very fast. I've seen a number of people start build with a 24" Tank and give up. Bobby Green's Tank is 30 or 32" and I really don't think I'd want to go any smaller than that. If it's any help, I've just started producing 1/8 scale P-38 Tanks that could be a help in planning. PM me. I'll take care of Ryan if anyone buys one. I'm fairly certain Beatty's Tank was full size. Wayno
 

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Elmo Rodge said:
Gee Ron. What was non dizzying about that? Quite a ride. Wayno
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Wayno......The way I remember the "dizzy-ing" video that I alluded-to, he was haulin'-gonads at a damn good clip when suddenly, the tach went somewhere very near 8 grand (I think I remember him saying accidental DOWNshift), and the horizon started turning VERY side-ways at a startling rate (he spun the car at extreme speed). Of course, the video suggested that Ron's shorts didn't even require changing. Ron will correct the details if I'm wrong. DD
 
Damn, now that is taking it for a spin. I remember seeing this but it is as enjoyable this time as the first. What a ride. Me thinks I'll stick with my four banger.
 
done4 said:
Damn, now that is taking it for a spin. I remember seeing this but it is as enjoyable this time as the first. What a ride. Me thinks I'll stick with my four banger.
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Nothing wrong with using four bangers for such rides either :) !
Maybe google/whatever for the 4E4 boys running their tank and at record speeds also !!

Got to go watch that again, love to hear a flathead V8 singing alto !!
 
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36tbird said:
Here's my work in progress:p
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That's the same tank I used for my lakester on the left side towards the front on my tank I found an information plate. Listed on the plate Naval Aircraft Factory Philadelphia PA capacity 300 gallons also listed is the weight and a serial number.
 
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