Benefits to converting from Pressurized tank to Fuel Pump?

[Bigkat650]

I see its a common modification to the old Johnyrudes, in fact--I bet it is the most common modification. What I don't understand is, why? I understand if you do not have the correct tank, lines, etc. it may be easier to convert then to find/buy all the pieces. Also I suppose if you want a bigger gas tank it makes sense.

But is that it? I have two 35hp big twins that both run off pressurized tanks. Both sellers I bought the motors from just gave me the tanks/lines--so I have 2 sets (although the lines are no good one 1 of them). Is a pump more reliable? I see plenty of people who have had issues with too much gas or not enough gas, problems at idle, problems at WOT... it seems like people make it out to be a rather easy conversion, but is it worth it?

I guess the point i'm getting at here is the old saying "if it isn't broke--don't fix it!" apply to this? My motor seems to run fine on its pressurized tank. With that said, a bigger tank would be nice--but I don't want to potentially create more problems--as it would not be worth it at that point.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Benefits to converting from Pressurized tank to Fuel Pump?

The tanks seem to be victims of some misinformation - the biggy being that they're "unsafe" and that they're a "bomb". Not true. They're no more or less safe than any other tank & fuel system, just different.

One of my favorite reasons for leaving things as they are is that you will never accidently hook up a single line tank that's mixed at 50:1 if your motors are only set up to run off of dual line tanks that you keep mixed at 24:1.

 

[Bigkat650]

Re: Benefits to converting from Pressurized tank to Fuel Pump?

The tanks seem to be victims of some misinformation - the biggy being that they're "unsafe" and that they're a "bomb". Not true. They're no more or less safe than any other tank & fuel system, just different.

One of my favorite reasons for leaving things as they are is that you will never accidently hook up a single line tank that's mixed at 50:1 if your motors are only set up to run off of dual line tanks that you keep mixed at 24:1.

Yea I had an issue on one of my tanks... I just assumed it was all set up right from the previous owner, but I could not figure out why I would prime the motor it would run for 5 seconds then die... no matter what I tried. So I figured I would check the hoses, and sure enough the air hose was plugged into the gas and vice-versa! :facepalm::facepalm::facepalm: I'm not sure who's the bigger idiot, me for not checking it earlier or the guy who hooked them up wrong in the first place!

So is a 6 gallon tank the largest pressurized tank you can buy? Or, could you modify a 10 gallon tank to accept the pressurized system? Hmmm....

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Benefits to converting from Pressurized tank to Fuel Pump?

I agree with Chinewalker. There is no advantage to converting. I was told once that the pressure tanks were banned in some places, but that turned out to be false. If you shop right, you can get a decent pressure tank for a reasonable price. I have got them for as little as $10. I now have 5 in my posession, so they're still out there. Just like any other tank out there, just make sure there is no rust inside.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Benefits to converting from Pressurized tank to Fuel Pump?

I like my pressure tanks, but they're hard to find nowadays for a decent price quickly.
ALso, when I sell a 2 line motor, I'm not about to sell my tank with it so I always convert it. You can also run it with any of your other tanks with the caveat that you add the right amount of oil. All of my 50's motors that I keep run off pressure tanks. I've thought about converting my '56 30hp just to be able to run a lower profile plastic tank that would fit my boat better.
Lots of reasons to convert......