Fuel tank first look.

jw · #1 12-13-2002, 07:15 PM

John G,
I have a 74 20CC I/O That was the same way. I also removed the tank hatch, which the coring fell apart, replaced all the fuel hoses, vent fill and gas line to engine. I also replaced the sending unit which was leaking. After all that No more fuel stink, but then the oil pan failed on the engine, getting fixed now.
When I recored all of the hatches I used a 1/2 inch composite renforced foam. Laminated to the old hatch covers with MAS expoy, then i put a Triaxial glass over the foam, and gelcoated the bottoms. I used the composite"COOSA" due to light weight and will never rot out or absorb water. Plus you can put screws in it .
This system worked out well for me and was accomplished in about a week, and a cost of $300.00.
I did not change my tank as My boat was not in service much of its life. It sat on a trailer in a shed for the last eight years. I do not think , judging from the engine compression, that it has more than 200hours on it.
Good luck, Its a great boat.
JW [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Jon G · #2 12-13-2002, 09:13 PM

I took the core or what was left of it apart tonight and will clean it up. Soaking wet rotten mess inside. The glass however was still very strong underneath. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I'm still wodering if the tank is original, did they foam the original tanks in [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] how did they mount them?

Blackwater21 · #3 12-14-2002, 08:11 PM

I had a 77 23 that was mounted the same way and it was original.

Jon G · #4 12-14-2002, 10:54 PM

Thanks for the info, the tank looks old but it has almost NO corrosion on the top and sides, have yet to see the bottom. The angles that are welded on top of the tank that mount it to the stringers are all loose from the stringer, some mounts are broken off, looks like its been floating around in there for a while. It looks good for a 28 year old tank. I'll see if I can get some good pics when I pull it out. Thanks Jon