Replacing fuel tank

[MIKEMCKEE]

I've a fuel tank that's well past it's prime, it's on a 1976 Irwin 37cc. I've thought about going the bladder way and also the slipping a smaller tank into the current one. Any word's of wisdom out there.

Mike McKee
s/v Blue Bayou

[Hesper]

I just had an old 15-gallon aluminum tank which had sprung a leak replaced by a new, plastic 14-gallon number. It was a very neat, simple and quickly completed job (the boat yard charged me about $900 all-in). One virtue - I don't need the unreliable fuel gauge anymore; I can actually see the fuel level just by looking down into the lazarette.

[MIKEMCKEE]

I thought that just cutting open the top of the old fuel tank and slipping in a smaller one would be the best way to go. Thanks for your ideas.

Chief

[1970Columbia34]

I would remove the old one and make a new tank out of satinless steel. This way its a perfect fit and you don't lose any capacity. Here is ours we did 2 years ago.





Scott

[Rockter]

Hey, stick a big inspection hatch in the top of that tank.
It'll be needed to clean it out, one day.

[snider]

I just pulled both a aluminum fuel and water tank out of my bilge. They were fiberglassed in over the top. In all my research I would recommend a cross-linked polyethelene replacement. Moeller Marine Online - Permanent Tanks

Here is the only company I found that makes them. They have a ton of sizes, however not the size I needed. I ended up getting two aluminum tanks made. If money is an issue regular steel of a little thicker material makes a great choice. You have corrosion issues with all the metals and a good coated steel will work just fine with a fraction of the cost. I chose aluminum because it's lighter and thats what came out, but it will corode also if its in constant contact with water such as sitting on soaked wood blocks. It's a personal choice but I would prefer poly, a surveyor friend of mine highly reccomends them, but like I said it's a personal choice. I would remove the old tank though. Brandon

[1970Columbia34]

go with stainless steel, go to your local metal supply store and check there drops area, you can and will find plenty of pieces that will be big enough to make your tank. to bring the cost down do all the cutting yourself and find someone to weld it for you. Stainless is a better option than aluminum and even plastic tanks, there is a reason most all the hardware on your boat is stainless, except for your mast which is aluminum for weight and flex.

Scott

[MIKEMCKEE]

Talked with my marina tech. and we came to the final though that it would be better to just pull out the tank, which is in good shape (no leaks) and do a good interor cleaning and go from there.