Fuel Tank / Fuel Injection

[cdow]

I understand that I'm going to need a return fuel line and a 'swirl pot' with my new Zetec engine - can I retain/modify the Escort tank or if not does anyone know what the best alternative would be?

I've seen some external swirl pots, can these be used instead if the tank doesn't have one or are they something completely different altogether?!

[CABRIOBOB]

Re: Fuel Tank / Fuel Injection

I can not comment regarding a Zetec engine fuel return, but when I fitted a 38 dgas weber to my Pinto engine with a return I drilled a hole in the tank sender and fitted a 90% pipe but it always seemed to be damp caused by splash in the tank. I have fitted a new sender and blanked off the return at the carb and is running ok.

[lil_red_roadster]

Re: Fuel Tank / Fuel Injection

Chris - a swirl pot acts as a reserve of fuel for the high-pressure pump needed by an injection system. Without it (or without a fuel tank with an in-built sump) you will suffer fuel starvation when cornering. On a carbed engine the pump delivers iirc at 2-5psi - for multi-point injection you need way more than this...3bar is the usual with more for extreme applications.

Assuming you're thinking of injection (if not ignore the rest), a typical setup for a cooking motor, assuming an un-sumped tank (which the Escort is), would be an c8mm feed from tank to a swirl pot. You can use a standard solid-state (e.g. Facet) pump for this. Then you have a high pressue line (use high-pressure hoses and fittings) to the injection pump and on to the fuel rail. From the fuel regulator at the end of the rail you have another 8mm line going back to the tank, though you could also route this back to the swirl pot with an overflow from there back to the tank...the return line can be a little smaller, say 6mm, if you're running a NASP 1.8...

Check out the Megasquirt site - there are some useful schematics which explain it all clearly.

Enjoy

Jez

PS - if you go injection then buy a fire extinguisher...3 bar fuel onto a hot manifold is not recommended.

Rover 2.0GTI Roadster (well, nearly...)

[cdow]

Re: Fuel Tank / Fuel Injection

Thanks for the info (I'm using the stock injection that came on the engine) - I presume you mean some sort of automatic engine bay extinguisher? Have you got one/got anything in mind?

[lil_red_roadster]

Re: Fuel Tank / Fuel Injection

Not necessarily a fully plumbed system, just make sure you have one in the car and one in the garage while you're setting up the system. I tested my pump recently and it blew off a hose that wasn't quite tight enough...believe me, fuel at 3bar goes a long way..!!