thesmilingpirate
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 355
- Location
- Long Island, New York
I'm not sure about the other members of the HPISF, but I enjoy working on my Savage. Bashing is fun, but wrenching is a whole lot better. (IMO). When the truck is inside on the bench, I'm always itching to tweak something or engineer a modification.
So, while going through a box with old Savage stuff yesterday, I came across the stock tank from the Savage. I replaced the stock tank soon after I got the truck because of the half tank lean issue. This tank was destined for the bone yard. It was among other parts that were on the short list to be scrapped. But after a full tank run through in the morning that lasted
about 15 minutes, I remembered that the new tank held less fuel. Therefore, shorter run times. (Insert Lightbulb here)
Now I was curious about dual tanks on the Savage. I know the first response about this is going to be about the weight that is being added to the truck. Keep in mind, this mod was spur-of-the-moment and experimental in nature. My only concern was to see if I could get dual fuel tanks to run on the truck to extend the run time.
First thing I did was see where the secondary tank could go. The stock Savage tank is so large it's not easy to do. If the truck was already a mid-tank mod it may have been a bit easier. But my goal was to get the stock tank on the truck with only the parts I had on-hand in 30 minutes. Anything over 30 minutes was not worth it to me.
After exploring the minimal options for the location of the secondary tank, I decided the perfect fit was behind the rear
shock towers. I now need to figure out how I was going to secure the tank to the truck.
I took the two stock tank mounts and looked at how they could be used as the mounts for the secondary tank. I then drilled a hole in each of the stock mounts and the corresponding location on the truck. The location of the stock mounts forced me to have to change the two screws that hold the rear bumper on. They were too long. I used two shorter screws that were long enough to hold the bumper on and still allow me to secure the tank mounts. I added a tie-strap on the left tank mount for added stability. Secured the tank on top with the clips and I was now ready for the fuel line configuration.
Here is the fuel line configuration I used:
tuned pipe > main tank pressure nipple (on lid)
main tank feed > fuel filter
fuel filter > secondary tank pressure nipple (on lid)
secondary tank feed* > carb
* Here is where may add another filter or move the filter off the main tank to this location. I have to test both to see
what works best.
Once the fuel line configuration was done, there was nothing left to do but test it. I accomplished my goal of using only the parts I had on-hand and finished within the 1/2 hour.
I filled the main tank about a 1/4 of the way and the secondary tank about 3/4. The reason I did this is because I really didn't feel like waiting for a full main tank to finish to see if the secondary tank would kick in. Doing this probably caused most of my starting problems since it seemed like it was more difficult to start the truck now with two tanks than with one. I have a feeling back-pressure may be causing this.
Anyway, once I got the truck started, I blew through the main tank and once I did the truck kept going. Fuel was flowing from the secondary tank with no problem at all. Now, by no means would I go to print with this as the next revolutionary mod but proof of concept was there. It was fun and it worked. Try it out for yourself. Remember, it's not like it's permanent.
If you don't like it, you’re left with two holes on your truck. Could be worse.
Enjoy!
Here are a few pics of the finished product.
So, while going through a box with old Savage stuff yesterday, I came across the stock tank from the Savage. I replaced the stock tank soon after I got the truck because of the half tank lean issue. This tank was destined for the bone yard. It was among other parts that were on the short list to be scrapped. But after a full tank run through in the morning that lasted
about 15 minutes, I remembered that the new tank held less fuel. Therefore, shorter run times. (Insert Lightbulb here)
Now I was curious about dual tanks on the Savage. I know the first response about this is going to be about the weight that is being added to the truck. Keep in mind, this mod was spur-of-the-moment and experimental in nature. My only concern was to see if I could get dual fuel tanks to run on the truck to extend the run time.
First thing I did was see where the secondary tank could go. The stock Savage tank is so large it's not easy to do. If the truck was already a mid-tank mod it may have been a bit easier. But my goal was to get the stock tank on the truck with only the parts I had on-hand in 30 minutes. Anything over 30 minutes was not worth it to me.
After exploring the minimal options for the location of the secondary tank, I decided the perfect fit was behind the rear
shock towers. I now need to figure out how I was going to secure the tank to the truck.
I took the two stock tank mounts and looked at how they could be used as the mounts for the secondary tank. I then drilled a hole in each of the stock mounts and the corresponding location on the truck. The location of the stock mounts forced me to have to change the two screws that hold the rear bumper on. They were too long. I used two shorter screws that were long enough to hold the bumper on and still allow me to secure the tank mounts. I added a tie-strap on the left tank mount for added stability. Secured the tank on top with the clips and I was now ready for the fuel line configuration.
Here is the fuel line configuration I used:
tuned pipe > main tank pressure nipple (on lid)
main tank feed > fuel filter
fuel filter > secondary tank pressure nipple (on lid)
secondary tank feed* > carb
* Here is where may add another filter or move the filter off the main tank to this location. I have to test both to see
what works best.
Once the fuel line configuration was done, there was nothing left to do but test it. I accomplished my goal of using only the parts I had on-hand and finished within the 1/2 hour.
I filled the main tank about a 1/4 of the way and the secondary tank about 3/4. The reason I did this is because I really didn't feel like waiting for a full main tank to finish to see if the secondary tank would kick in. Doing this probably caused most of my starting problems since it seemed like it was more difficult to start the truck now with two tanks than with one. I have a feeling back-pressure may be causing this.
Anyway, once I got the truck started, I blew through the main tank and once I did the truck kept going. Fuel was flowing from the secondary tank with no problem at all. Now, by no means would I go to print with this as the next revolutionary mod but proof of concept was there. It was fun and it worked. Try it out for yourself. Remember, it's not like it's permanent.
If you don't like it, you’re left with two holes on your truck. Could be worse.
Enjoy!
Here are a few pics of the finished product.