Jim:
You are correct, and I noticed the same thing.
The solution is to cut a sheet of 16 or 18 awg steel and weld in
the tub just in front of the fuel tank. This is recommended by John
Williams in his book. This will also make the car stiffer if done
properly.
I personally decided not to do this however. My reasoning went
like this: The car is so small and so low to the ground that when I get
rear ended by that Hummer it will be a race as to what kills me first:
The flaming gasoline as my gas tank detonates or decapitation from the
SUV's bumper mounted winch as the SUV rolls over my car as if it were a
beer can.
As you can see, I have a very fatalistic view of the who thing.
Vance
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-6pack@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-6pack@autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of Jim Jones
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2005 9:31 AM
To: 6pack@autox.team.net
Subject: fuel tank shield?
Friends:
I hate to bring up the unthinkable, but it came foresquare to my mind
after removing the rear interior panel. That is, there's literally
nothing between the occupants and the fuel tank but a thin sheet of
fiberboard. Being a child of the 60's and 70's, I read accounts of
exploding Pintos and Mustangs that burned up anyone unfortunate enough
to be in the car during a read end collision.
Has anyone ever constructed some kind of fireshield between the
passenger compartment and fuel tank? Before I try to fabricate one
myself I thought I'd see what others have done first. Pictures and
suggestions of any kind are welcome.
Safely your's,
Jim
|