Fuel/Vapor Separator

[stanz]

Curious if there’s anything special about the design of the plastic in cab vapor separator. More specifically- if I was to have one fab’d out of aluminum, what do I need to take into account?

My plastic unit appears intact but leaks vapor. Rather than messing with other 45+ year old units with questionable integrity, I’m thinking of having one recreated out of aluminum.

 

[MarsChariot]

That is a good idea and I have often wondered about how simple it would be to make one. Knowing the car companies’ penchant for saving pennies, I’ll bet it is a simple system. Maybe a small check valve, but maybe nothing more than three tubes: One out the top to carry the vapors, one out the bottom to return to the tank, and one long one up from the bottom from the tank. Why don’t you cut your old one in half and report back to us. I bet we can figure something if you are up to a little fab work.

 

[DirtDonk]

there is a thread here just recently with a cut-away shot of one.

Paul

 

[gr8scott]

there is a thread here just recently with a cut-away shot of one.

Paul

I'd like to see that. I put mine in front of my headlight and saw two long tubes extending into it.
I thought about modifying a oil catch can, but they're all so small.

 

[Steve83]

I thought about modifying a oil catch can, but they're all so small.

The size isn't that important, although it DOES need to have some volume. But the important characteristic is the height of the tall tubes above the drain port at the bottom. It needs to be far enough that liquid gasoline will be too heavy NOT to drain before it reaches the tops of those inside tubes.

But there's also nothing special about having the tubes enter the bottom of the reservoir, and then rattle around inside - it would work exactly the same if the reservoir had 3 nipples at the top (2 for vapor coming in from the tanks, and one for vapor going out to the charcoal canister), and one at the bottom (draining back to the rear tank).

there is a thread here just recently with a cut-away shot of one.

I think it's this one:
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297095

But I think it was gr8scott's silhouette pic - I don't think there's an actual cutaway.