Fuel tank question?

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel tank question?

I can't believe they install these things so they cannot be removed easily.

Ayuh,.... Welcome to the Real World... Boats are designed to be Built,... Not Fixed....

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

I spent about an hour w/a sawzall yesterday afternoon and got into the tank up to the first baffle, I think there will at least 3 more and of course welded top, bottom and side w/cutouts. The material for the tank looks to be 3/16" aluminum, not the easiest to cut.
I going back to remeasuring the hole and see if I can cut about 1/2 off side and remove it that way. What is the best way to cut 1/4" fiberglass? I have a good carbide blade my Porter Cable skilsaw, will that still chip up the glass real bad?

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: Fuel tank question?

your carbide blade should do it. It will probably chip some anyway. A finer blade is better.

 

[rusirius]

Re: Fuel tank question?

Yeah, that should work as long as it's fine tooth... The finer the better...

I personally have always been a big fan of the rotory "zip bits" for cutting fiberglass like that... No chipping at all...

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

The skill saw cut ok for an area which will be concealed. I've been working on and off for 2 hours, got the tank to lift a little more, but it is hanging up on an under deck fish box. Like it or not, I will be cutting up the tank and taking it out in pieces. So I have a couple more days ahead of. My skill saw w/carbide blades manage to get into some aluminum, after that I tried cutting with it, I think it will work if I need it to speed things up.
I am just taking a lunch/coffee break now, so time go back at it couple more hours.

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

Well the tank is out finally. I had to pull it forward and cut a little over 2 ft off and then cut a piece of bracing, so that will need to be replaced. After I got the tank out and hanging in the air w/about 5 gallon of water in it, I found a small bubble of water in a corrosion spot. Not much, but then a drop or two of gas makes a bad smell. The inside of the tank was a mess, really needed to be cleaned which would almost be impossible, it was 98 X 28 X 10 inches with 4 baffles inside (115 gallon tank). Well made tank, but SeaCraft did a lousy job installing the tank on a squishy foam material on the bottom sides and then foamed it in place. If the tank had been installed with neoprene strips on the bottom, it would have lasted another 20 years if you figure out some way to clean the inside.

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

I really found the leak a little while ago. I was cleaning out some of the foam on the tank deck and found that the starboard rear corner foam really smelled like gas. I has set the back part that I had cut off on top of the rest of the tank and was washing down the inside, found several corrosion indentations on the inside, but notice water drop forming on the rear portion of the tank. I then took a putty knife and scraped the outside and here comes a pee hole with water squirting out about 2 inches. Sure glad that did not happen on the water, but it was ready to pop. Then instead of dealing with crud in the tank, I would have been dealing a bilge full of gas. I have an outboard and and at that time, the float switch on the bilge pump wasn't working (just fixed that since the deck was off). Guess I avoided a disaster in the making.
I would post pictures but haven't mastered that yet. These are links, just click on to see pictures. Lot less space taken up this way to.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f41/gss306/DSCN0766.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f41/gss306/RSCN0767-1.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f41/gss306/DSCN0756.jpg
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http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f41/gss306/DSCN0133.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f41/gss306/DSCN0422-2.jpg

 

[Mark42]

Re: Fuel tank question?

Wow! You sure did get lucky. That tank could have popped a leak at any time. Bet it will feel good to have a fresh tank!

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

I will be ordering my tank. I have a guy from BJ's boat shop stopping by on his way home and he will measure things up and order the new tank. Looks like it take 2-3 weeks to get the tank made.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Fuel tank question?

Be very careful cutting fibreglas, especially in confined spaces. Airbourne fibreglas is killer on your lungs and in your eyes. Use appropriate protective equipment.

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

Jeep Man, Thanks for the concerns. The tank is out and a new one will ordered today by the shop who will do the installation. I have never done one and wanted it done right, I've done the majority of the labor intense work to save money and will put everything back together so I will know what is going on.
I ended up ordering a 72X27X9" tank, if my math is correct this will give me right at 75 gallons of capacity.

 

[Cajun Fred]

Re: Fuel tank question?

How can I find out what size fuel tank is in my 89 Cajun Rickey Green Fishing Machine without running it dry and then filling it? It is a plastic tanc that is mounted under the tripple seats.

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: Fuel tank question?

It should have a label on it that states how many gallons it holds. There should be an access plate that allows access to the fittings. See if you can also see the label.