Replacing Fuel Tank

[seabob4]

You can always put just 35gal. in a 50gal. tank.
Im still laughing at this.   So true, So true.

Thanks alot guys for the replies and suggestions.  Looks like I'm placing an order for a 50gal tank.

Call me tomorrow (Sunday) Scott.

[Capt. Bob]

Scott,
Do yourself a favor.
With the money you save on buying the tank through SB4, buy yourself a fuel metering device such as a "Flow Scan".

http://www.floscan.com/html/blue/recreationalmarine.php

Use it and really understand just how much fuel your motor is burning at any speed and the total amount burned. A real fuel gauge.
With time and use, you'll really know how much fuel you burn under varying sea conditions so when you decide to do a little extra yachting; be it skiing,exploring or a quick hop to Bimini, you'll have a real indicator of how much fuel you'll need to get home.

[seabob4]

Scott,
Ordered your tank this past Friday afternoon.  Sent Ray all the pertinent info, but didn't hear back from him.  They may be on 4 day work weeks as well, like us.

I'll get you an update tomorrow, as well as estimated shipping date.

Bob C

[Skoot]

Scott,
Ordered your tank this past Friday afternoon.  Sent Ray all the pertinent info, but didn't hear back from him.  They may be on 4 day work weeks as well, like us.

I'll get you an update tomorrow, as well as estimated shipping date.

Bob C

Sounds good to me, cant wait.  I got all the foam out today, just need to get the coffin prepped and I'll be ready.

[Skoot]

Im making  some progress, it feels like its taking forever.  I ended up ripping out the unfinished plywood platform that was in there and replaced it with a new piece.  I  encapsulated it completely with fiberglass and installed it back in the boat. SEE BELOW


I also ran a new fuel and fill line.  What the heck do you ground the fill line too?  It appears the original ground wire went between the plastic sleeve that fits inside the fill hose(bare wire) then to the screw and nut that holds the deck fill down to the cap(pic-2). Is this sufficient?


 

[Capt. Bob]

I also ran a new fuel and fill line.  What the heck do you ground the fill line too?  

Run a ground wire from the fill cap (mine has a dedicated attachment point) to the ground on your new fuel tank. Then run from the tank to your ground buss (some run to the negative post on the battery).



Tank ground is top left, next to fuel sender.
3 wires running from ground. 2 to fill hose where one breaks off and goes to buss, other to fill cap.
The one to the left tied into original tank ground. Redundant and not really needed.

[Skoot]

After several other tedious projects I finally got the tank installed, new fill and feed lines, new fuel filter with stainless head, new primer ball and new clean fuel.  I started her up in the driveway and everything looks good, no leaks.  Ill post some pics tomorrow.

I do have a question for you guys.  The large tank cover hatch had some white pliable putty all the way around the inside lip, where the cover sits on (look at the pic a few post ago, you can see where the putty was). Obviously this was to keep water out of the tank coffin, But what the heck is it?  Im guessing its original 35yrs old and its still pliable about like chewing gum. Any thoughts as what it might be?

Im thinking about using again as a bedding then sealing just the seam of hatch cover with silicone.

[seabob4]

Hope I don't sound stupid here, but Plumber's Putty...like you bed a kitchen sink with?

[Skoot]

Hope I don't sound stupid here, but Plumber's Putty...like you bed a kitchen sink with?

who would have thunk. It does look and feels like it. I might very well be plumbers putty.

[seabob4]

Hope I don't sound stupid here, but Plumber's Putty...like you bed a kitchen sink with?

who would have thunk. It does look and feels like it. I might very well be plumbers putty.

Scott,
I mean, like, have you ever run across some compound that never hardens, yet remains water-proof and leak free?  What do they make that out of?  Can they plug the oil spill with it?

[flkeysaqua]

Hey Scott sorry if I'm too late on this one but I just used 5200 on my new tank lid without any screws and just left weight on both ends for a week.  Since I only put on the seam it should not be a problem to cut it out if/when I need to replace my tank

[Skoot]

Damit man!  

So after the tank was installed, strapped down, grounded etc etc I was ready to replace the lid and screw/seal it up.  I ended up putting more plumbers putty on the base/lip of coffin then dropped the lid on top.  It sealed really well. I figured this would keep water out and make it easier to lift the lid in the future. I then applied some 3m silicone around the seam and screwed down the hatch and cooler seat.  Now I have a double water barrier.  Yea, I was ready for the gathering, or so I thought.

So finally got to test out the new tank this weekend and.....        The primer bulb goes flat whenever I try to get on plane.  I can idle and slow run slow speed all day.  I even tried an axillary tank and the same thing happened. The vent is working properly and my fuel lines are not kinked. So my guess now is either the fuel/water separator or the primer bulb itself.  At least I hope.

[Skoot]

Any other Thoughts???

[seabob4]

Scott,
A suction or blockage is being created that the engine fuel pump can't overcome.  First, try loosening your fuel fill next time you run it.  Could also be the anti-siphon ball in the fuel pick-up barb...

[fitz73222]

Hi Skoot,
How did you validate the vent works properly; I`m sure thats not the problem unless the vent hose is kinked. Anti siphon valves cause a host of problems but usually show up at idle with fuel starvation when the fuel pump is working the least from a volume perspective. The engine will continually shut off at idle because the fuel pump cant overcome the check ball spring tension. If you havent replaced the water separator, do so anyway to get a new base line for maintenance. Replace the bulb and see what happens. Otherwise you are going to have to pull the hatch and remove the check ball and spring and pitch it. If your concerned about a siphoning issue, put a shut off ball valve at the water separater inlet. When you used an auxillary tank did you use the same fuel line? If it had the same problem with a different tank with the same fuel line; look at the fuel ine and primer bulb for the obstruction. Its something simple and I doubt its your new fuel system since you replaced everything.