gas tank

[SECF3114M73J]

I pulled my gas tank today. It's in better shape than I thought. Aside from some surface corrosion it seems sound.I'm going to get it pressure tested, and if it's O.K., I'm going to clean it up and probably epoxy it. Any suggestions for removing corrosion from alluminium?

[rudders_midship]

How bad is you " surface corrosion" [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] if its pitted at all it is junk its called crevice corrosion and it is caused by trapped water against the aluminun,Most likey using scotch brite or light sanding will reveal more extensive damage,caused by foaming in a tank, now days is a no no other methods are prefered today. Aluminun tanks are fairly inexpensive Im having one built right now. A gas leak is something that could ruin your whole summer [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] I dont belive epoxy is the answer this time [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[EBEACH]

Rudders, how much is your tank? I've got the same boat as yours. I was thinking of trying to get another year out of this tank [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] . Also thinking of moving it forword about 12" Any luck with off the self tanks?

Tanks a lot.

[abl1111]

I pulled my tank yesterday, too. Looks very good, however there are two spots, about 1/2"x1" , near the mounting/angled area that are not so great - very pitted.

Is welding a new section an option ? I know the tank would probably pass a pressure test, but I do not like the look of these two small pitted areas. If weld-able, then I will epoxy the tank. I've heard that new tanks go for $9 a gallon. Does that sound about right ?

Thx,

Alan

[ocuyler]

My 130 gallon tank looked OK too when I pulled it. A simple pressure test of 5 psi blew out the sending unit gasket as well as several small pitted areas. Game over. Gee is that why all the foam was soaked with fuel.

I ordered a new a new tank from SPTanks.com, which I expect this week. I'll advise how it comes out. 133 gallons worked out to around $700 F.O.B. Jersey, about $200 cheaper than the other 2 bidders. That includes dual pick-ups, electric sending unit, custom vent tube configuration, fill tube fitting, 2 part epoxy coating and built to my drawing. Freight to Rochester is around $75.

Do not underestimate the bummer of a failed fuel cell, especially in an inboard or i/o configuration.

Otto

[SECF3114M73J]

I don't know how deep the corrosion goes. The alum. is .125 thick.A freind of mine who is a sheet metal worker said it looked good. The tank was not foamed in, the way it was mounted it had air circulation all around,except for 2 rubber strips on the bottom.The boat is an outboard,but I still wouldn't want a leak.

[rudders_midship]

EBEACH, I also am having a tank built by SP metals in New Jersey around $500 + shipping I looked at all the Marine catalogs for an off the shelf unit 24" wide and 8" deep 60" long is an odd size found alot of 25" x 9" my stringers are about 24.5 all in all I just decided if I want to use the boat in May I cant screw around with trying to find something that may or may not exsist.

[abl1111]

Any recomendations as to what to place on the bottom of the fuel tank i.e. adhesive rubber of some sort, for dampening effect ? There were (3) strips of something on the tank - when I removed these strips, they could be classified more as "goo" than anything else.

Any other ideas as to how to better isolate the tank for re-installation ?

[rudders_midship]

ALB, Im going to put 3 or 4 strips of high density plastic the length of the tank 3/8" x 1"x 60". 5200 them directly to the underside of the tank while it is out and let dry, making sure it is completly sealed to prevent water from getting under it. Then 4200 the tank in place appying a good bead to the3 or 4 plastic strips with a helper put in place and let dry this should be all you need to hold tank inand it will let air circulateall around the tank this is how SP tanks recomends that you install marine fuel tanks take alook at SPmetals.com

[rudders_midship]

I forgot to tell you something, that goo was rubber which has carbon in it which is very corrosive to aluminum. so stay away from the old method or mouting with rubber