Dry Sump Oil Tank Solutions

[JVance]

I'm summoning the brain-trust of the Cal-Look community: I need a dry-sump oil tank! (but don't know where to place it   ) The NHRA rule-book states that the oil tank cannot be in the driver's compartment. My parcel shelf is in the stock location, so I have limited space next to the transaxle. Short of having a custom tank fabricated (which may be my only option), what solutions exist that might fit under my parcel tray next to the transaxle?

I'm shooting for ~8 quarts total oil volume (maybe more), which will include volume in the oil lines, cooler, filter, and sump; should I assume there will be about 6-6.5 quarts in the oil tank? Any fault in my logic at this point?

I think the CB Performance dry-sump tank would fit here, but its advertised volume doesn't match its dimensions, and I suspect there is only 2 gallons underneath the inlet and vent. Is 2 quarts of head space reasonable (for ~6 qts in the tank), or should I find a larger tank?

I know Butlerbuilt makes square/rectangular tanks, and Canton makes a 15" tall rectangular tank as well, which *might* fit under the parcel tray. I'm not concerned about the blocking the oil filler because I anticipate dropping the tank to fill it anyway.

Could I run a taller tank that extends into the driver's compartment and fabricate a "box" that covers it and "separates" the tank from the driver's compartment and still pass tech? Or am I destined to mount the tank in the front of the car (spare tire) and run a mile of oil line? Maybe the rear fender-well? I have already mocked-up a Porsche 911 dry sump tank in the passenger side rear fender-well and that idea is definitely out.

So, who's done it and how'd you do it?
Thanks in advance!

[IN RANGE inc.]

I would think as long as it is isolated by minimum  bulk head thickness you should be fine.

[scottsain]

solution:  don't mess with it!

[JVance]

If you don't want me tearing my car down in your garage, just say so

[Marty]

Fabricated is the way to go on these cars.

[efi67vw]

14.5" tall by 12.5" deep by 9" wide

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Butler-Built-12-Qt-Dry-Sump-Aluminum-Oil-Tank-/150620889948?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2311b4635c

[JVance]

Fabricated is the way to go on these cars.

I agree; and it would be the answer to a lot of my problems (yet I insist to work around compromises at this stage in the game  ). I've seen one of the tanks you've fabricated that mounts to the shock tower and sits next to the transaxle. Definitely nice work!


 

14.5" tall by 12.5" deep by 9" wide

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Butler-Built-12-Qt-Dry-Sump-Aluminum-Oil-Tank-/150620889948?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2311b4635c

Thanks, Aaron. Butlerbuilt also makes a rectangular tank (not angled, a bit more compact), and I really like the Oberg filter on the inlet.

[efi67vw]

its going to be hard to find much outside of the 14" x 9" area. trust me I have searched the ends of the earth. that tank above is a steal for $200!

[JVance]

What are your space constraints? Were you searching for solutions for your Fastback, or are you also dealing with a Type 1/stock parcel shelf application?

BTW, I agree the Butlerbuilt tanks are a bargain, especially considering the Oberg filter (or 1/2 of an Oberg filter...in any case, still a great deal).

[efi67vw]

honestly its a matter of hieght. but thats the way these are built to mantain a colum of oil above the pickup. I have a tank allready but is about the size of a briefcase!  and a three gallon was recomended for my pauter pump.  this is the tank im trying to figure out where to mount.

[chuck]

I used an autostick oil tank and mounted it in the fender well area.
I am not sure you really need that much oil in the tank. I think you may need that much oil in the system but the tank doesn't need to be gigantic.
I am guessing my tank hold around 4 or 5 quarts and I use a CB dry sump pump. 

[scottsain]

solution:  don't mess with it!

[JVance]

The Autostick oil tank is hardly big enough to hold my broken dreams.

solution:  don't mess with it!

It appears I'll have to relocate the turbo just to give the pump and fittings enough clearance, which was not an issue I anticipated.   You win this round, Scott...I'll have to come up with some other devious plan to defile your pristine garage floor.

[Frallan2]

Another thread with same theme.
Why do you not like the 911 fender tank? It works really nice.

http://ultimateaircooled.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php/topic,11056.0.html

Here is my oldest 911 original modified version.

[JVance]

Another thread with same theme.

I'm familiar with that thread...nothing in it addressed the questions I had.

Why do you not like the 911 fender tank? It works really nice.

I would use it if I could get it to fit. I have a tank that came off a 1980 911 (1974-1989; 30mm oil return fitting), and I had planned to cut away the side of the fenderwell to get it to fit.

Here's a picture of a similar tank (ignore the numbers):


After measuring/mocking it up, the filler neck is located too far forward and the oil filter would run into the fuel rails/injectors on my manifolds. I know the early 911 tanks (26mm oil return fitting) has the oil filler located rearward on the tank, compared to the later tanks. I believe I would have to relocate the filler and remove the filter to get my tank to work.

I would run it in a heartbeat if I can get it to fit. Was yours the early (pre-1974, 26mm oil return fitting) or later (30mm) oil tank? Can you describe how it was oriented to allow it to fit; was it mounted parallel to the crank centerline, or did you angle it in the fenderwell?

[chuck]

Oh I wasn't clear. I added some length to the autostick tank. I think I pieced in like 6 more inches of length. It worked great when I was running a dry sump. I got rid of the whole ides because of having to run a small pulley and spacing it out. I went to a serpentine belt so I went back to the wet sump.

[efi67vw]

. I went to a serpentine belt so I went back to the wet sump.

then why didnt you use the dry sump pulley setup from bmd that doesnt reduce fan speed?

[Frallan2]

I would run it in a heartbeat if I can get it to fit. Was yours the early (pre-1974, 26mm oil return fitting) or later (30mm) oil tank? Can you describe how it was oriented to allow it to fit; was it mounted parallel to the crank centerline, or did you angle it in the fenderwell?
[/quote]

Hello Jason,
The car in the picture was built in 1975. The tank was already a bit old when used in the car, so far older.
Still it was modified in terms of angle of the filler and few more items to get it to fit.
I saw it being done but did not do the catual work myself. Worked liek acharm though and hurt me a lot when I let it go for another not so good solution.
That is why I tried to reproduce it again (stainlees tank) some years ago but again, not to my satisfaction.
Next time it will be in aluminium and work really nice.
I say you take your newer 911 tank and modify it to fit.
The tank was mounted like stock 911 in the right side fender.
Left in your picture, was forward.

Fender mounting is optimum spot for most reasons minus one and it is weight distribution and possibly the location of its vulnerability. It is slightly exposed. Now in steel that is probably less a problem than if in alumnium.

[JVance]

Thanks for the explanation, Frallan! I may keep this tank and modify it, now that I have time to work towards a solution.

[fiatdude]

Your tank size, location, and what it looks like is only dependent upon your wishes and needs -- the reason why the tank is no longer allowed inside the car is that some guys were starting to use the roll cage tubing as their oil tank/piping -- -- I believe if you are using hard wall tubing you can route the oil lines inside the car -- NASCAR is allowing this for fuel line -- if that makes it easier in putting the tank up front -- the oil filter does not have to be part of the tank -- it can still be mounted remotely

[JVance]

...