Now I'm pissed. That BS PATCH in the fuel hatch SUCKS! I was under the impression that the fuel cell I removed was NOT original, hence the removal of hatch coring, allowing more space for the fuel fill!!! Now I'm wondering if my 79 MA is not a Potter. If this design continued until 86, it is unacceptable! I understood that Sunshine Tanks, due to the close proximity to the plant, had built every tank that came from the factory. The fill neck was too high, but probably not before they sprayed the foam around and under the tank. Once expanded, this may have been the only option to reinstall the hatch. Now I have to be very careful ordering the replacement, and how I will insulate the tank in the coffin. Originally I was simply going to cut the hatch for an 8 inch Beckson inspection plate as a quick solution but if this was a design flaw, and original set up, I'm going to recore the entire hatch (and lose some weight). Thirty six years of water on the deck has probably penetrated and rotted more than 8 inches.
I'm trying to relocate fuel fill and vent to forward end of tank, just aft of the forward hatch under the consul. Sending unit, ground and pickup aft. Once aft, larger fuel hatch is recored I may not install any inspection plates. The hatch is easily removed by screws, and I plan to install a 100 pound piece of monofilament line in the trough continuously around the hatch. This way you can dig 5200 out of a corner, locate the line, pull and cut through the sealant. I'll get a pic up for you.
Also, one of the two drains in the aft corners of tank coffin was over 75% clogged by expandable foam. Not difficult to inspect, but if it ain't leaking...
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