Would this concern you?

[Alex]

I have some of my rear electrical about 15-20'' away from my main fueling setup (aeromotive filters, holley external pump, all aeroquip braided line)

Electrical is my battery, rear ISIS unit, main fuses and a relay for my radiator fans.

I've asked half a dozen people their thoughts and nobody seems overly worried because of the amount of airflow that's available from the back. Still, I do keep wondering about it, just because I'm not 110% certain. Would you be concerned?

 

[Randy V]

While I've never been a huge fan of having high amperage current in close proximity to fuel, it's never seemed to concern any automobile manufacturer...

The fittings and lines you're using are far superior to most of what the auto manufacturers are using..

If still concerned - Just make sure that your Firebottle has a discharge port in that general area..

 

[Alex]

While I've never been a huge fan of having high amperage current in close proximity to fuel, it's never seemed to concern any automobile manufacturer...

The fittings and lines you're using are far superior to most of what the auto manufacturers are using..

If still concerned - Just make sure that your Firebottle has a discharge port in that general area..

I'm not a fan either, haha! I just don't know if I should be concerned or not with how I've got it installed.

I see, with cobras, some people install the battery in a virtually sealed box 2'' from the gas tank, with a fuel pump bolted onto the battery box, and they don't seem to blow up.........

 

[Dave Lindemann]

Alex -

A few things to consider - a fuel/electrical fire/explosion requires a concentration of flammable vapors in the "right" concentration and an appropriate spark. The area where the fuel components are located is not sealed (not even close). So you would need a fuel leak/vapor concentration and the right electrical spark (fault) to cause ignition. Not to say that it couldn't happen but the odds are VERY remote. Especially considering the quality of the components and seals. Flammable liquid vapors are heavy and collect in low areas - if you are concerned you could ventilate the floor of the fuel area. Make sure the fuel and electrical connections are properly made and you should be fine IMO.

Regards,
Dave L

 

[Alex]

Flammable liquid vapors are heavy and collect in low areas - if you are concerned you could ventilate the floor of the fuel area.

Already got covered - I've got several .... speed holes .... in the floor back there from when I tried a routing idea that failed miserably ... if you look at the last pic or two around the fuel pump you can see like 3 or 4 of them :laugh:

I did think of cutting open the floor there (i.e., not just a few holes, but physically cut and remove a section of it), but decided against it because I figured that piece would probably be better served as 1 gigantic piece, versus 2 medium sized pieces.

 

[Keith]

It's a horrible thought, but if it were me I would certainly give some consideration to a) an involuntary rotation, b) a side intrusion in that area.​

That isn't to say your layout is not fine of course. I'm just approaching from a different direction.​

 

[Doc Kaler]

Alex,

I agree with Randy and Dave. Short of relocating your engine to the front you've done as much as you can to ameliorate the potential of explosion/conflagration. I also agree that a fire suppression system may give you a little more piece of mind, especially in the event of side intrusions, etc. as Keith mentioned. I have a Spa bottle that will have a zone at the front of the engine compartment and one in the cabin. The vapor collections would most likely occur to the proper concentrations at a prolonged stop, such as in your garage/shop. Moving a fan to near the area to provide air circulation while working on your electrical system might give you a little piece of mind as well.

 

[David Sturch]

Alex,
The only thing I see with your setup is the placement of the relay box. I would not mount it to the floor. I would mount it off the side elevated off the floor. Any type of spillage would short the box. A couple of brackets pop riveted and mount it to the rear bulkhead. I don't know if the battery is near or not but you will want a tray for it also.
Dave

 

[Alex]

It's a horrible thought, but if it were me I would certainly give some consideration to a) an involuntary rotation, b) a side intrusion in that area.​

That isn't to say your layout is not fine of course. I'm just approaching from a different direction.​

With the height of the car, a "side intrusion" will be more like a car treating me like a speed bump and ending up on the roof rather than through me! :laugh:

Alex,
The only thing I see with your setup is the placement of the relay box. I would not mount it to the floor. I would mount it off the side elevated off the floor. Any type of spillage would short the box. A couple of brackets pop riveted and mount it to the rear bulkhead. I don't know if the battery is near or not but you will want a tray for it also.
Dave

The box is my rear ISIS unit. It's sealed - however you make a good point about it getting soaked in fuel. It's hard to see, but it's slightly elevated by a few washers (base is about 1/16 off the ground), so I would have to have a fuel flood before it would get soaked.

The little empty box you see sitting on the rear crossbeam behind it is my battery box

Short of relocating your engine to the front you've done as much as you can to ameliorate the potential of explosion/conflagration.

Not true - I can always rip out the entire electrical; battery and relays to the front, ISIS unit to the front, and move my battery on/off switch to underneath the dash. Of course this is a lot of work and wouldn't be as neat & tidy, but then my fuel setup would be all by itself back there, but I'm trying to avoid that at the moment and get comfortable with what I've done.

 

[Frank Catt]

Alex, in my personal opinion, the weak link is the Holley pump, I have seen quite a few of these units leaking from the gland between the motor and the pump. I dont have concern over the aeroquip hosing, but I think dump the pump asap, Frank

 

[Alex]

Alex, in my personal opinion, the weak link is the Holley pump, I have seen quite a few of these units leaking from the gland between the motor and the pump. I dont have concern over the aeroquip hosing, but I think dump the pump asap, Frank

I would have to partially disagree.

From my old research, the older style Holley pumps (I believe they're called the black and blue ones? or maybe blue and red, i forget) were very problematic. However, their newer lineup - the billet style, which I'm using - are rock solid. I used it in my cobra and it works beautifully.

However, I do know what you mean by the leak joint. I went through 3 aeromotive SS pumps that leaked at that joint

The failure cause, best as we could figure out, was only when it was cold outside, pointing to dissimilar metals not sealing with the o-ring until it warmed up, leaking upwards of 12oz of fuel in like 3minutes.

And, because of my experiences with the aeromotive pump, that's why I'm so paranoid about fuel here - nothing quite like having your first experience with fuel being 3 pumps in a row that spew out 12oz of fuel

 

[David Sturch]

Alex,

First off if you mount it to the floor washers are not good enough, I would use stand offs about an inch high. Mount the relay box to a plate, drill four holes in each corner of the plate add four grommets. Bolt through the grommets into the stand offs. Add a washer to either side of the bolt. My reason for this is.
1. Even if your pumps don't leak it's the low point on the chassis, water, crap anything ,battery acid etc can collect there.
2. It may be weather sealed now, but I guaranty when you get that great honkin engine going that panel will vibrate. This is not a Cobra,by the way are you using solid engine mount even worse. Driving Rain you would be suprised where the water goes.

Dave

Part No-8239105 Power Fist 70 Assorted Grommets

 

[Alex]

okay - i'll look into making those changes. Less vibration is always a good thing!

 

[Jack]

High, dry & rubber mounted Alex!