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Author Topic: Removing a stuck fuel tank  (Read 690 times)

April 25, 2020, 02:51:41 PM
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kevinr

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Removing a stuck fuel tank
« on: April 25, 2020, 02:51:41 PM »
Tried to use the bolt & nut trick to pull a found fuel tank out of a 74 center console. I had removed all of the phone that I could get to before we tried it. put so much pressure on a half inch bolt that it actually bent it and started to tear the opening for my fuel sending unit slightly. Anybody have any good ideas? Like chemicals or something that would melt the old brittle foam. I need this tank out without tearing up my boat.

April 26, 2020, 11:00:51 PM
Reply #1

boatnamesue

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2020, 11:00:51 PM »
Are you intending to keep the fuel tank?....if not then cut it out.  Aluminum right?  Reciprocating saw will cut thru aluminum like a hot knife thru butter. 
---------------
Jason
1976 AS 170
1998 S115TLRW

April 27, 2020, 11:56:58 AM
Reply #2

kevinr

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #2 on: April 27, 2020, 11:56:58 AM »
tank is in good shape from what i can see...want to remove, check, clean, paint and reinstall w/o any foam.

April 27, 2020, 12:34:38 PM
Reply #3

mshugg

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #3 on: April 27, 2020, 12:34:38 PM »
Might try a pressure washer to break up the foam without damaging the tank. 

April 27, 2020, 04:14:46 PM
Reply #4

kevinr

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #4 on: April 27, 2020, 04:14:46 PM »
all the foam on top and sides is already out. I did use a pressure washer for that. it's whatever is sticking the bottom of the tank to the coffin that is the issue.

April 27, 2020, 07:56:05 PM
Reply #5

fitz73222

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #5 on: April 27, 2020, 07:56:05 PM »
I had a really stuck tank on a 24 Grady I was working on back in '99, All foam was cut away, 4X4 over the top of the gunwhales with a come-a- long hooked to the tank to try to get it to pop. Hurricane Irene came through here and dumped 6" of rain in the tank coffin and the hydraulic effect of the water pushing up on that tank popped it out like a cork. try the come-a-long strapped to a cross member a top the gunwhales and fill the tank coffin with water. She'll pop. One time I had a flywheel on a 28 Johnson that was so stuck that it would not pop so I left the puller on the flywheel and every day about an 1/8 of turn and she popped on day 6. A little time and patience proved worthy.
 
1973 Aquasport 22-2, twin 115 Mercs
2000 Baycraft 175 flats boat, 60 Bigfoot Merc
1968 Boston Whaler 13, 25 Yamaha (project)
1966 Orlando Clipper 13, 9.9 Merc

April 28, 2020, 12:46:48 PM
Reply #6

kevinr

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2020, 12:46:48 PM »
I had a really stuck tank on a 24 Grady I was working on back in '99, All foam was cut away, 4X4 over the top of the gunwhales with a come-a- long hooked to the tank to try to get it to pop. Hurricane Irene came through here and dumped 6" of rain in the tank coffin and the hydraulic effect of the water pushing up on that tank popped it out like a cork. try the come-a-long strapped to a cross member a top the gunwhales and fill the tank coffin with water. She'll pop. One time I had a flywheel on a 28 Johnson that was so stuck that it would not pop so I left the puller on the flywheel and every day about an 1/8 of turn and she popped on day 6. A little time and patience proved worthy.
 

What did you attach the come along to?  I tried a 1/2" bolt about 10" long and a chain in the sending unit hole hooked to the front loader on a tractor and *gently* applied pressure. It nearly bent the bolt in half and started to tear the sending unit opening on two sides. I'm afraid of attaching it to the filler neck - would probably tear it off and then I'd have welding involved.

April 28, 2020, 02:40:16 PM
Reply #7

wingnut

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2020, 02:40:16 PM »
Disclaimer - I have never tried this. Just an idea.

Have you ever seen or used a wire saw? Basically a long flexible abrasive wire with loop handles at each end that you can use to cut trees, etc. in a pinch. If you got a long one, I imagine you could get it started at one end of the tank (wrapped around the bottom), and work your way along the tank, working the wire from side to side, and cut the foam right below bottom of tank. Shouldn't really do any damage to the aluminum.

April 28, 2020, 04:55:56 PM
Reply #8

RickK

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #8 on: April 28, 2020, 04:55:56 PM »
Good idea :13:
Rick
1971 "170" with 115 Johnson (It's usable but not 100% finished)

1992 230 Explorer with 250 Yamaha

April 28, 2020, 08:08:13 PM
Reply #9

Woodeneye

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #9 on: April 28, 2020, 08:08:13 PM »
I had a really stuck tank on a 24 Grady I was working on back in '99, All foam was cut away, 4X4 over the top of the gunwhales with a come-a- long hooked to the tank to try to get it to pop. Hurricane Irene came through here and dumped 6" of rain in the tank coffin and the hydraulic effect of the water pushing up on that tank popped it out like a cork. try the come-a-long strapped to a cross member a top the gunwhales and fill the tank coffin with water. She'll pop. One time I had a flywheel on a 28 Johnson that was so stuck that it would not pop so I left the puller on the flywheel and every day about an 1/8 of turn and she popped on day 6. A little time and patience proved worthy.
 
  I am intrigued by this idea. Sounds entirely doable.
*SOLD*1981 222 CCP, Westport, MA.

April 28, 2020, 08:25:06 PM
Reply #10

fitz73222

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2020, 08:25:06 PM »
It's about time, not torque. Constant tension everyday with some hydraulic push will get her out. Just a little crank on the come-a-long hooked to the fill neck and fuel outlet. One click at a time.
1973 Aquasport 22-2, twin 115 Mercs
2000 Baycraft 175 flats boat, 60 Bigfoot Merc
1968 Boston Whaler 13, 25 Yamaha (project)
1966 Orlando Clipper 13, 9.9 Merc

April 29, 2020, 08:05:52 AM
Reply #11

BradC

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #11 on: April 29, 2020, 08:05:52 AM »
Disclaimer - I have never tried this. Just an idea.

Have you ever seen or used a wire saw? Basically a long flexible abrasive wire with loop handles at each end that you can use to cut trees, etc. in a pinch. If you got a long one, I imagine you could get it started at one end of the tank (wrapped around the bottom), and work your way along the tank, working the wire from side to side, and cut the foam right below bottom of tank. Shouldn't really do any damage to the aluminum.

Like keel hauling ... worked for many navy's for many years - although the sailors weren't that keen on it  :thumright:

April 29, 2020, 08:19:23 PM
Reply #12

kevinr

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #12 on: April 29, 2020, 08:19:23 PM »
Dont know how many of you heard a tearing pop about 15 minutes ago, but THE TANK IS OUT !!!  put a 2x6 vertical where it just caught the corner of the tank. tow strapped the top of it to my pickup. put a small bend in it. I had been doing this for days - just with hand pressure (wrong tool for the job apparently). got a little bend in it and heard a little velcro rip sound. Grinned like a chicken. Waited until it quick crackling - put another inch of bend in it.  when i got to about 6-7 adjustments, there was a very satisfying rip and the 1/8" of crystalized 46-year old foam on the bottom let loose. That stuff is more like glue than foam...literally solid and cracks if you bend it.

Thanks to all who were sympathetic and offered suggestions. Next task - replace the filler hose. I've already heard how bad this one can be. For tonight, I'm happy and progress is made.

April 29, 2020, 09:03:43 PM
Reply #13

mshugg

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #13 on: April 29, 2020, 09:03:43 PM »
 :bravo_2:

May 02, 2020, 10:17:58 PM
Reply #14

boatnamesue

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Re: Removing a stuck fuel tank
« Reply #14 on: May 02, 2020, 10:17:58 PM »
Nice job, congrats.  Unfortunately you learned the hard way a fuel tank and foam is not your friend ;)
---------------
Jason
1976 AS 170
1998 S115TLRW

 

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