Need help with my 170 fuel tank, fuel lines, oh my!

[Capt. Bob]

Miguel,
I would bet that your leak is coming from underneath the strap/s. That's where I found mine. You really need to pull the tank to see it.

As far as covering the tank in glass, I don't know that fiberglass adheres too well to aluminum and in the long run might not play too well with modern fuels.
If you can't get another aluminum tank, how about a "poly"? You may need to go with two smaller ones. Again, you need to research how well the plastics are doing with new fuels.

Good luck.

[nighthawk]

Miguel,
I replaced the tank in my '73 17'.  Replaced both the fill & vent.  From all the work your putting in it, I vote to do it once & do it right.
I found a local metal fabricator that duplicated the tank I gave him.  It was quite a few years ago, but I seem to remember it was fairly reasonable.  Under $300.

I've also gone the way of refiberglassing a '84 19' tank.  I took it out, spent a few hours sanding every sq. in. of it & applied 2 part liquid steel over the suspect areas.  Then I epoxied the whole thing & wrapped it with glass cloth & epoxied it again.  Did not replace the hoses as they seemed O.K.

Then the bear.  I bought a '84 20'CCP.  Pulled the console & tank cover first thing.  What a mess.  Had a new tank made in Farmingdale, NY. (He was making 2 others identical to mine at the same time)  Replacing the hoses was a first class pain in the A#$.
Took over 4 hours of pulling, poking, etc.  Finally, cut a 6" hole in the floor over the hoses & was able to remove the soaked filler.  Then all went back together just fine.  New hoses, glassed up the hole & now working on the console.

There are the 3 I've had experience with.  See if you can find a tin-smith that can build you a new alum. tank.  You'll be happier with the job in the end.

Questions??? Let me know.  Good luck & take your time.

Nighthawk

[Fishhyren11]

would love to know where you had it fabbed because I'm seeing $400-720 for one right now which seems very high for aluminum....

Thanks!

[nighthawk]

Here's where I had the 73 Gal tank for the 20' CCP made.
 ALLOY METAL WORKS INC., 146 VERDI STREET, FARMINGDALE, NY, 11735, USA, (tel) 631-694-8163, (fax) 631-694-1213. E-mail.
    WE MANUFACTURE CUSTOM MARINE FUEL TANKS TO COAST GUARD SPECIFICATIONS MEMBER OF ABYC

Give them a call & tell them the year & model of your boat.  They'll tell you what it takes & give you a price.

Hope this helps.  
The tank I got was quality with everything needed.

Nighthawk

[Miguel]

I´m having a new tank built using the old one as a template.  I´m being quoted 350.00 for the 1/8" 5052 aluminum, 29 gal tank.  It comes painted in epoxy primer.....  Does not sound that bad after all.
I think I´m going the way of 5200 with frp strips for fastening to the boat.  No straps to hold moisture.

[nighthawk]

Miguel,
Sounds great.  I'm sure your going to enjoy the comfort it was done right.  
Nighthawk

[Miguel]

Ordered the new tank last wednesday and was called today to say it is ready (5 bussiness day turnaround).  I convinced them to weld 1/4" aluminum strips at 12 inches in center on the bottom for the same price.  The tank will be painted with epoxy primer, and any small gap in between the support strips and the bottom of the tank will be filled with a 5200 fillet.  It will be very hard for water to stay trapped there.  All this for $350.00.... Not bad.
The tank will be glued to the tub with 5200 also.  No SS strips, neoprene pads, foam, wooden wedges, or any of the things that I found in there.  Hopefully the 5200 will be enough to keep it in place.  I'll try and post pics of the tank when I finally get it.

[RickK]

[nighthawk]

Look forward to finished report & pics.  Great price & turnaround time.
Nighthawk

[Miguel]

Here's the tank.  It is coated in green epoxy primer.
First pic, top of the tank.  Tank is leaning against the boat:

Second pic shows the aluminum strips welded to the bottom of the tank:

Third pic is the clean tub waiting for the tank.  Note the hole where the original SS tanks upporting straps came out of.:


Now I just have to find some spare time to finish.....

[nighthawk]

Very good looking tank.  Should give you years of service.
Thanks for the report.
Nighthawk

[Miguel]

What would you recommend as the best product for sealing the fuel tank tub?
I´m planning on 5200 for the screws.  What would you use for the seam between deck and hatch?
I prefer something easy to apply and clean.  5200 is messy!!!

[nighthawk]

Miguel,
I used the 5200.  Seems to seal better.  It is a pain to install.
Patience.
Nighthawk

[nate44]

Something I did when I re-installed my tank. I used some heavy duty garden hose and cut two lengths running front to back and laid them down on the bottom of the fiberglass coffin for the gas tank. I thought it would keep the tank from lying in any water/moisture that might get in. I did not re-install my metal straps or wood wedges. I put foam around the sides/front and back. Again, I left air pockets/gaps so that no moisture could get trapped along the sides of the tank. It should also allow air around the entire tank.
My 2 cents!

Nate

[Marcq]

I would use 4200

Marc..