Fuel lines through bulkhead

Fuel lines through bulkhead

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Discussion

Dynion Araf Uchaf

Original Poster:

4,424 posts

222 months

Sunday 10th January 2021
quotequote all
Hi
I need to run some fuel lines through the bulkhead of my race car however I also need to make sure the bulkhead is fire retardant/sealed at the point the fuel lines run through the bulkhead. What should I use to achieve this? I’m think some kind of fireproof putty but don’t actually know if this is a thing. If you know what I mean then please let me know below. Thanks

Gary C

12,315 posts

178 months

Sunday 10th January 2021
quotequote all

Dynion Araf Uchaf

Original Poster:

4,424 posts

222 months

Sunday 10th January 2021
quotequote all
Not quite what I was thinking but then I didn’t know they existed. A possibility.

Fairly sure you can get some ‘gunk’ that can seal the holes....

Gary C

12,315 posts

178 months

Sunday 10th January 2021
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Look up intumescent sealing compounds or bags

We use them at work but they are for static equipment, so I dont know how well they would last with vibration.

AW111

9,455 posts

132 months

Sunday 10th January 2021
quotequote all
My rally-prep mate always uses a bulkhead through fitting.

Inside line -> bulkhead fitting -> under bonnet line.

stevieturbo

17,229 posts

246 months

Sunday 10th January 2021
quotequote all
or a "bulkhead" connector....kinda what they're designed for.

Although OEM's do use grommeting for passing hardlines through bulkheads.

drmotorsport

739 posts

242 months

Monday 11th January 2021
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Use a proper AN Dash bulkhead fitting, which is also the only legal MSUK solution if your running fuel lines through the cabin. Also highly advisable is also to use teflon lined hose to avoid the fumes.

Dynion Araf Uchaf

Original Poster:

4,424 posts

222 months

Monday 11th January 2021
quotequote all
drmotorsport said:
Use a proper AN Dash bulkhead fitting, which is also the only legal MSUK solution if your running fuel lines through the cabin. Also highly advisable is also to use teflon lined hose to avoid the fumes.
I think that’s only relevant if their is a “join” in the fuel lines. The lines in my car are unbroken from tank to fuel rail. Intumescent putty sounds about right I’ll look it up.

t.boydy

168 posts

61 months

Monday 11th January 2021
quotequote all
We use this pipe for running inside the car, to the pump/filter king/carbs etc

https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/goodridge-6-a...

And the appropriate fittings

https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/goodridge-6-s...

Cheers,

Tom

bucksmanuk

2,311 posts

169 months

Monday 11th January 2021
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Scrutineer here...wavey
From the mighty motorsport bible of blue....
Section J

All vehicles must: Chassis/Body (including aerodynamics)
5.2.1. Be fitted with bodywork including a driver (and passenger) compartment isolated from the (edited down here…) fuel system components (other than where such components comply with 5.13.1 and 5.13.2) such as to prevent there being a hazard.

Fuel Systems

5.13.1. Have any fuel lines passing through the driver/passenger compartment protected and, if non-metallic, to be internally or externally metal braided hydraulic pressure hose or fuel lines complying with FIA specifications.

5.13.2. They may only be joined by screwed sealing joints or vehicle manufacturers approved joint.

5.13.3. If fitted with fuel fillers in a closed boot, or under closure, have collector/spill trays incorporated to drain outside the vehicle.

5.13.7. With the exception of cars competing in Sprint and Hill Climb road going production category, cars competing in British and Motorsport UK Titled Championships for, and all new build cars for, Rallycross, Car Racing, Special Stage Rallying, Sprints and Hill Climbs must be equipped with the facility to enable a fuel sample to be taken. For fuel injected cars the facility must be a dry break fuel sampling coupling, approved by the FIA, Competitors must carry and make available a 300 mm minimum length of hose to which, where necessary, the appropriate mating part is to be attached.
(You can blame the turbocharged rally boys for this one. Some were running fairly dodgy brews, which you could smell a mile off. Nitromethane has found its way into karting. Many people have run Avgas, especially when it was silly octane..)


14.1.2. Fuel (a) Fuel Tanks and Pipes – every effort should be made to isolate fuel tanks and pipes from the driver/passenger compartment. The risk of fuel spillage from accident damage can be reduced by use of bag type tanks or by coating metal tanks with GRP. Tanks should be located so that they are given maximum protection by the structure of the vehicle. Vents should be designed to avoid spillage if the vehicle becomes inverted.
(b) Fuel Fillers – these should be designed and located to reduce risk of damage. Filler caps should not be liable to open in the case of an accident. Simple screw caps are effective. The positive locking of the fuel filler caps is recommended.

Tank Fillers, Vents and Caps
Tank fillers and caps must not protrude beyond the bodywork or be situated within the driver/passenger compartment. The caps must have an efficient locking action to reduce the risk of opening during an accident and to ensure closing after refuelling (14.1.2). Air vents must be at least 25 cm to the rear of the cockpit and must be designed to prevent the escape of fuel should the vehicle be inverted. It is recommended that a non-return valve is incorporated in the vent system. The entire fuel tank area ‘Licked by the open air stream’ must incorporate a crushable structure as follows: Crushable Structure …. Blah… blah….

Section Q
19.10.
Fuel Systems - These must be equipped with an effective method of stopping fuel supply and operable by the Driver when normally seated. This to be combined with or located adjacent to the internal ignition cut-off switch.
  • ***************************
It doesn’t actually state anything about lines inside the cockpit per se, except it’s not really recommended. Yes they are fitted. Yes, we don’t like them unless they are decent Aeroquip type stuff.

The lines need to be secure, not wiggle around, and look as if they are in good condition.

Its bad karma to have joints inside the driver’s area. It really needs to be one length of hose/line from the rear bulkhead to the engine compartment.
I know you have put fire retardant bulkhead; a fireproof bulkhead is an even better idea.

J.5.2.2
With the exception of cars of periods A to E…..have a protective bulkhead of non-flammable material between the engine and the driver/passenger compartment capable of preventing the passage of fluid or flame. Gaps must be sealed with suitable flame proof material that completely closes any gap at all times…

It’s good karma to read this as “at all times, especially if one is in the middle of a crash, rolling over many times” hence our profound distaste for carbon fibre and /or fibre glass in bulkheads -which usually shatters.