No, you're not seeing things; that really is Aeromotive's A1000 fuel pump and 100-Micron pre-filter (hidden from view) mounted inside thisradical-new '79-'93 Mustang fuel tank. Rick's Hot Rods of El Paso, Texas, is responsible for this cool fuel container/supplier combination. Thanks to a suggestion from our leader, we're teaming it up with other Aeromotive products to complete the fuel system for our T-top coupe project. There's a lot of cool stuff going on inside this tank thatunfortunately we couldn't capture clear images of, like its walled baffling system, special pickup chamber (picture an internal sump), andthe 5/8-inch-thick, stainless-steel, hard line that snakes throughout the tank between the AN-10 (feed) and the AN-8 (return) fittings on itsfront face. One thing that's really cool about this tank is that it truly exemplifies "out-of-the-box" thinking with its design, parts, andconstruction. It's a package that includes (internally) all the necessary equipment for being the foundation of a high-hp fuel-supplysystem, while presenting an external appearance that doesn't go too far beyond stock.
Each Alumastealth tank comes with an electronic sending unit for a factory or aftermarketfuel-level gauge. This is a simple, three-wire hookup to power, ground, and the gauge itself. We're using EFX wire by Scosche for all of ourcoupe's electrical accessories. In this case, the blue wire represents a 12-volt source and the accessory, and the black wire is ground. Thetank's sender also features an adjustable gain to perfectly calibrate just about any gauge. The AN-8 fitting behind the sending unit is for a vent line, which is not included with the fuel tank and must be plumbed.
Once the factory fuel filler neck is installed and hanging loosely, place the Alumastealth on a jack and pump it up into place (thanks to the guys at Extreme Automotive, we had the luxury of using a twin-post hoist and a transmission jack. This tank installation can also be done in thedriveway, using a good service jack or two guys' worth of muscle to push the tank into place and secure it with the factory tank straps). The endof the filler neck seats perfectly inside the seal, and the wiring for the sending unit is routed up into the trunk via a grommeted factoryhole in the spare-tire well. As you raise the Alumastealth into position, make sure the vent line is draped around the side of the tank and doesn't get stuck on top.
Fuel-pump power is a simple, two-wire connection for power (on an EFI car, any source that's hot when the ignition is turned on) and ground. Our tank came equipped with AN-10 and AN-8 fittings for the main and return lines. However, Aeromotive's fuel system is comprised of AN-8 and AN-6 fittings and hardware. Orme Brothers Hose and Fittings of Northridge, California, is our connection for situations like this, and for justabout any other high-performance plumbing needs. We picked up these two reducer fittings (AN-10 to AN-8, and AN-8 to AN-6) and didn't miss a beat with our tank install. Rick's Hot Rods can install AN fittings of all sizes, so specify what your needs are when you order.
"Wow! What kind of fuel tank is that?!" This is a question we're asked almost incessantly when people get a look at our coupe's new fuel reservoir (hold onto your hats, Rick's also offers this badass fuel tank in stainless steel). We gave the straps a shot of fresh black paint and it really sets off the look against the brushed aluminum tank. With full, sumped-tank functionality (without the sumped look), a fuel pump, and internal fuel lines that are plenty big enough to keep our blown 347 properly fed, this Alumastealth fuel tank by Rick's Hot Rods is exactly what you need to keep the competition guessing when it rolls up behind you.
This is the hose and fittings side of Aeromotive's all-inclusive Eliminator kit, and we used it to complete the fuel-system plumbing in our '86 T-top car. Everything is there for a perfect AN-8 (feed) and AN-6 (return) installation from the tank out back, all the way up to the fuel rails under the hood.
SOURCES
Aeromotive
Dept 5.0
7805 Barton Street
Lenexa, KS 66214
(913) 647-7300
www.aeromotiveinc.com
Extreme Automotive
Dept 5.0
7901 Canoga Ave
Unit F
Canoga Park, CA 91304
(818) 883-8184
Orme Brothers Hose and Fittings
Dept 5.0
18453 Parthenia Pl
Northridge, CA 91325-3323
(877) 676-3277
www.ormebrothers.com
Rick's Hot Rods Inc
Dept 5.0
200 E Sunset
Suite K
El Paso, TX 79922
(915)760-4388
www.customgastanks.com
Scosche Industries
Dept 5.0
1550 Pacific Ave
Oxnard, CA 93033
(800) 363-4490
www.scosche.com