Refurbish 1981 200 CCP

[RickK]

Yup, boats lookin' good.

[jdupree]

Put a 6' iron pipe down the pedestal tubes to gain leverage and put your shoulder to it... they'll break free.  As it is now, you don't really have much leverage to rock them side to side.

That is one sweet boat!

Thanks Jim Pictures make it look a little claener than it actually is.  It needs some cosmetic work here and there(especially the center console) but still a solid boat.

[jdupree]

Yup, boats lookin' good.

Thanks too Rick :)   Your post went on before I could finish typing

[rsh19904]

Guess I should have told ya I got some special NASA glue for the pedestals   Just kidding...try a good heat gun, not too sure of the  torch..that way you can heat the metal and not get it to the point that the glass will start to blister and besides the soot is a pain to clean and and any gas funes that may be floating around under you, if there were any, tend to make what you're standing on a big bomb   ..then go in with a thin piano type wire and pull underneath the pedestals to free up the adheasive or the pipe may do well to but you might crack the skin before they break loose? ..the skin on the center hatch is in good shape and I'd hate to see you break or cook it accientally.. but she looks great!!!

[jdupree]

I like the NASA glue part   I thought of getting a wood chisel and the wire like you were talking about just to get up under it and go all the way around.  I think it is like a suction cup, I think if I can break one side free the rest will come up.  If it warms up a little this weekend and I feel like it, I hope to go ahead and bust them loose.  Then I will concentrate on taking apart the console.  That will be so much fun

[jdupree]

Ok, finally managed to break the pedestal seats loose and removed them without damaging the skin.  Thanks for all the suggestions with that.  Ended up using wire and working back and forth to break free.  What a job :!: Disconnected everything from the center console and broke it free from the deck.  I have it leaning forward enough so I could access the center hatch.  Finally got the center hatch removed to view the tank :cry: Looked like a 1981 tank :cry: Loads of corrosion and actually a little water in the stern of the coffin where the tank sits.  On a postive not though, didn't smell gas and actually stood on top of the tank and it never flexed :) I do have the pictures and will post when I get to work in the morning.

Need advice on the tank.  Obviously need to pull it and inspect and clean it.  What should I use to clean it   I know the suspect areas will be the bottom of the tank and where the straps snap to it.   Where would I need to have it pressure tested Say it does pass, would it be worth putting back in just waiting for it to go I am leaning at getting a new tank.

The hatch is very soft from the pedestal seats aft, but suprisingly rock hard forward of the pedestal seats.  Thinking about possibly just a re-core on half but will wait and see.

Will have pictures posted in the morning.  Thanks,

[jdupree]

Here are the pictures of the tank.  Looks pretty scary :cry:






Hopefully if the weather is decent I can have the tank out by this weekend.  At that point, plan to clean out the box where the tank sits and inspect.  That should be a job.  Any opinions on the tank are greatly welcome.

[JimCt]

Twenty-six year old tank, I'd change it.  You'll sleep better.

[jdupree]

My thinking too I plan to replace all fuel lines as well.  Why not do it right :!:

[Ben87]

How many gallon tank is that?  Wonder if my 87 222 is the same thing?  

I have been pulling the plate over my sender and spraying the tank off every once in a while hoping it will help it to not look like your tank, wow!

[jdupree]

How many gallon tank is that?  Wonder if my 87 222 is the same thing?  

I have been pulling the plate over my sender and spraying the tank off every once in a while hoping it will help it to not look like your tank, wow!

If it is the original tank, I think the brochure said 73gal.  I don't need a tank that big, so I plan on putting about a 50gal tank in there.

As far as your tank goes, I would think any tank around 20 years or older is on borrowed time.  Who knows how much longer mine would have lasted, but once I get a new one I won't have to worry :)

[rsh19904]

Hey John,

did it look like someone had the hatch up before?  Just wondering since I saw the duct tape in the pic..  Silicone man should have been to the rescue to keep the water out..could have been from when I pressure washed the deck?  

I'd replace the tank just in case.  Ever thought of the poly ones? Wow, didn't think there was that many wires under the hatch either..looks like that will be a battle... :cry:

[jdupree]

Hey John,

did it look like someone had the hatch up before?  Just wondering since I saw the duct tape in the pic..  Silicone man should have been to the rescue to keep the water out..could have been from when I pressure washed the deck?  

I'd replace the tank just in case.  Ever thought of the poly ones? Wow, didn't think there was that many wires under the hatch either..looks like that will be a battle... :cry:

I think the hatch has been up before.  I have never seen so much silicon in my life   I have already contacted the guy who made my last tank in New York and did a great job.  Plan to pull the tank this weekend and scrap it.  I will have to measure to see how big the tank was.

As far as the wiring goes, I plan to yank everything but the engine harness and start from scratch.  The clock is ticking for spring fishing and I haven't even got to the bottom paint yet

[LilRichard]

May I suggest not going with a smaller tank?  It depends on what the boat will be used for, but more fuel capacity is always better IMO... if you can fit it in the area you have...

[rsh19904]

Well, lets put it this way..we all know that alum. will go bad in some point in time..and poly will eventually but usually happens more with outboard type tanks that are subjected to the sun's rays and some major expansion if the valve isn't open all the time....will probably be cheaper to purchase and lighter to install a poly, thus meaning you burn less gas pushing less weight (of course not that much)...but alum. has its good sides too..

also, if thinking about putting in a smaller tank, just make sure it gives the proper ballast when full or it may be like putting more weight in one area on the boat vs. another (say if you put the tank in the rear area where the stock one is, that will make the front a bit lighter)....just food for thought but she is really starting to come together..glad someone can get out in this bad weather.. [/b]