Weld in fuel tank sump?

What would I expect a welding shop to charge me to weld in a fuel pump sump (pickup) on my nice oem tank?

Even if my lungs were not jacked im not sure id attempt it myself since I dont work with that type/thickness of material.

THANKS!

Sumps are not the best way to go anymore. Sumps are old school since Holley came out with Hydramat.

https://www.holley.com/products/fuel_systems/hydramat/

I used a fuel cell style Filler Plate with nut ring after I cut a hole to access the inner workings of my tank. These guys have nice kits in a variety of sizes.

http://www.harmonracingcells.com/filler-plates.html

It's going to vary, If I were in your shoes I'd call a few welding shops in your area. If you have an Adult Ed or Voc Ed nearby it could be a project for an aspiring gearhead. It would be easy to weld with good prep and fitting, even easier if you are buying a pre built sump and adding it to the tank. HTH, Steve

I paid around $150 Canadian dollars ($100usd). Really nice job. Bought a CE sump and marked where I wanted it and they did exactly as wanted.

That being said, if I waited one more month to do the job , the tank/submerged pump combo hit the market and I would've done that instead.

Wow! that's some pretty cool stuff. To the OP, welding a sump on to a stock gas tank aint easy. Did it many years ago - and won't ever try to do it again. It's like trying to weld a 1/4" thick boiler plate to a piece of toilet paper - and the toilet paper is moving.

Thanks for the replies, yes sumps are old school but im rebuilding my first bracket car from 1980 back to that time period so the sump is fitting in this case.

Having a school do it is cool but ive only one oem tank and if they jack it im screwed.

A friend charged me a six pack of beer to weld a sump onto my E body tank. That was about 15 years ago...may take more beer now.

I think my boss used to charge $150-200 in labor. I can't be sure though though, i only did the work and he did the pricing/billing.

Welding a sump in isn't really that hard IMO if you set everything up right. slice the corners of the sump and on both sides of any ribs in the gas tank so you can work the sump with a hammer/dolly and some heat to get it to sit completely flat against the tank at all points. Next, tack the corners and then just slowly fill in between the tacks while alternating sides being sure not to put too much heat into the tank. The sump is normally a thicker material, so try to focus your heat into the edge of the sump and pull the weld down just enough onto the tank letting gravity do the rest of the work so that your torch is never aiming directly at the tank for long. this is to avoid burn through.


The key is to not even try to run beads. Just keep tacking it with overlapping tacks. I've done a few this way and I have never needed any epoxy sealant like I have seen some shops use, and I always test them under pressure. A gas tank sealer is still a good idea though just to protect the insides of the tank from rust at the welds.


I know there are other options these days, but I still think sumps are one of the more bullet-proof options out there.. With a good sump and the holes in the tank drilled out as per instructions (multiple small holes, not one big one), there is really no way you can get fuel starvation.

The one thing I DON'T like about sumps, which is also the reason why I recently sold a sumped E body tank I welded up here for $100 and went to a fuel cell instead, is that if you are using a gravity fed pump you now have to mount your pump very low to allow it to be fed fuel properly.


Oh, my other tip, NEVER use an old tank. Save yourself a lot of trouble purging the tank and fighting with contaminated metal and just buy a new tank to start with, they are out there for $100 and the sump will cost you $70 or so.

Easier way?

I'll sell you a sumped a body tank. I don't use it anymore

I washed out my tank really well, then back purged the tank before I welded the sump on. Got a drop of cold rolled from the local metal supply place, cost me $5 and a little stress because everyone told me I would blow myself up.

Really cool stuff

Have you priced those things? A decent size one is more than a new fuel tank!

The hydramat still leaves you w/ the issue of a way to hook up your big feed/suction lines to the tank. A sump is a clean and easy way to do this and works great.

When we welded mine in, I removed and drained the tank, rinsed it out w/ water, then let it dry in the sun for a day. Then started the installation.

Are the mopar tanks galvi?

I think ive seen some brazed in, maybe not.

I might as well sell my welder, smoke from a gas grille can shut my lungs down.