Bellytank Lakester

[rodbuilder]

Updated 15/9/10

I have always had a desire to build one of these. Following my first drag weekend at the HRD and an Ebay listing I thought why not just do it and try out a bit of racing.

The tank is from a Hunter and was from an Aviation salvage yard near Lichfield so for £300 I had a start.



The problem was that it is heavy and the overall diameter is 22" which makes it a bit of a squeeze for me and the engine I had planned would not fit within the circle. I was also not happy with the overall shape as the sides were parallel not the classic cigar shape.

So I moulded up a front quarter to start with in glass. which was over centre to make a larger diameter.






I then cut some semi circles and fixed them to a board on my chassis table.



Using sections moulded from the original mould and some wooden templates I built up the shape I wanted.





Then using about 18kg of filler I made the final shape.



I then divided the buck into 3 sections and made a mould of each part.







I could then make one complete half for the bottom.



I have bought some cds tube and can now start the chassis. Over Xmas I bought an Audi 2.6 A6 estate with a very sound v6 engine and box which should sit within the body profile behind the driver .

The plan is to run it at the Nostalgia Nats so a fair bit of work to do.

[janner ratrod]

"The problem was that it is heavy and the overall diameter is 22" which makes it a bit of a squeeze for me ......"
Hmmmmmmmmmm..........A touch too much of the vin rouge and the eating out, methinks.
I got in it okay.........LOL

[paddy]

Now this really does look fun,and unbelievably your fitting this in around doing the model A, and your friends Willy`s coupe man when do you sleep!!! More to the point what you going to do with an aeroplane fuel tank that you don`t need! Bit big to keep tripping over I should think.What a blinding idea though, am I right in thinking this will be rear engined, opened wheeled with moon discs, salt flat racer. Good luck,not that you need it, it`s probably half done already

[sqweaka]

bloody hell man, do you ever sit still for five minutes

looking good so far though

[Street]

Wow! This looks brilliant. I've always wanted to see a build thread on one of these belly tank racers so I'm looking forward to seeing it develop. Fantastic start already!

[Gavin]

Bloody hell Rich!
This one will be done in time for the Nostalgia Nats at this rate.
Do you know if they have anymore tanks knocking around? Got a tot rod project in mind.

[rodbuilder]

I will do you a good deal on my original one if you are interested.

[janner ratrod]

Bloody hell Rich!
This one will be done in time for the Nostalgia Nats at this rate.
Do you know if they have anymore tanks knocking around? Got a tot rod project in mind.

One of the guys I know in the Mob used a harrier nose and tail section from a 330 gallon wing tank and made a superb tot rod for his daughter. It had a small petrol engine from a compressor and trolley wheels (the same as a wheelbarrow but with decent tyres on). She got caught testing it on the hardstanding by an MOD policeman. He reckoned she was doing close to 35 mph before he stopped her. It was finally sold on Ebay about 21/2 years ago. I'll see if he has any pics left, if you want any inspiration?

[Gavin]

I will do you a good deal on my original one if you are interested.

It's probably a bit big for my needs Rich. Thinking more along the lines of a pushchair/stroller which wouldn't be powered (except by me pushing) so needs to be fairly small and light. Thinking glass might be the way to go.
Don't fancy laying up a mini version do ya?

Janner, post some pics mate. I'm always in need of inspiration.

[rodbuilder]

3/5/10

I moulded the top centre section from the mould I made and put it together.



The result was a 32" diameter tank but it looked a little too tall ( more like a Nile barge) so I cut 3 " from each side and stuck them back together thus reducing the height but not the width.



The Audi has been stripped out ( thanks Kris) we saved all the wiring loom, engine, box, steering, exhaust and suspension.



I put the engine and box on the chassis jig and using a part moulded rear end checked out how it would all fit together.



As you can see the engine is quite wide being a 90 deg Vee but with a couple of side blisters fitted to the body it should work.

I am building the tube frame from 40mm cds tube ( 2.4mm wall). I have bent a pair of bottom tubes with 45 deg kick ups to the gearbox onto which I have made mounts.



I am using a machine mart tube bender. So that I can make a pair of tubes that match I take the angle of the two ends and write them on the tube as I am working down the length, I can then bend the second the same. I find it easier to work with an inclineometer than one of those dial gauges.





I formed 2 belt line tubes by gradual bending to match the curve of the tank.



I then tacked it all together within the shell once I had fixed the bottom rails.



Put it back on the jig now I know the confines of the body I can finish it off.