1996 390 Express fuel selection

[trojanicki]

Hey all - thank you for having me. I am a new owner of a 1996 390. Can anyone explain how the engines draw fuel off each respected tank? I see the fuel selector valve through access in the mid cabin (forward engine compartment area). How do the engines draw equally off each tank? Not sure what position the selector valve should be in when both tanks are full. Any input is appreciated.

[prowlersfish]

I assume you have 2 Tanks ? You should have valve for each tank/engine and maybe a cross over valve . How are your tanks set up one on each side ? Asking as I not sure on how carver did the tanks .

[trojanicki]

Thanks for the reply. Tanks are set up between mid ship and aft on both port and starboard. There is one crossover valve that I can find that is a three-way valve. It has an incoming line from each tank port and starboard, and one outgoing line to the generator. Valve is accessible from mid cabin. I am not able to find any other valves off of the fuel tanks anywhere. I could post a picture when I get to the boat tonight.

[rickalan35]

Trojanicki

I own the same boat.

I'm assuming you don't have an original owners manual which contains complete diagrams.

Just let me know what you need and we'll figure out how I can get the info to you. Great boats.

Rick

[prowlersfish]

The norm is port engine draws off the port tank and starboard off the starboard . in theory the draw would be the same . But no 2 engines are the same so you will see some difference . I have seen some boats that don't have any manual or cross over valves . A anti siphon valve is used , many have both .

By the way are you gas or diesel ? That adds more to the mix . Opps 502 bluewaters never mind about diesels .

This likely does not apply to your boat but some have a equalizer tube from tank to tank . normaly on single engines like trawlers

[trojanicki]

This is the only valve I can find regarding fuel.

[prowlersfish]

I assume no owners manual or the info is not there ? Hopefully rickalan35 will be able to help . You can also trace the fuel lines and see what you have .



I almost forgot congrats on the new boat . And what area do you boat in ?

[trojanicki]

Thank you very much. I boat out of grand Haven Michigan. The diagram for my owners manual which I do have, shows three valves. Two valves are nonexistent.

[prowlersfish]

Thank you very much. I boat out of grand Haven Michigan. The diagram for my owners manual which I do have, shows three valves. Two valves are nonexistent.

Removed , hidden or never installed ?
Got to love it .

rickalan35 Do you have 3 valves ?

[rickalan35]

Hi Guys,

Going up to the boat this pm (15 miles away). I will check and get back to you. I've never messed with the fuel lines so can't answer off the top of my head. Darn manual is at the boat so can't simply refer to it here at home.

Cheers

Rick

[rickalan35]

My Trojan Express is NOT a diesel. Mine has the 502 Bluewater engine option and was also upgraded to a 7.5 Westerbeke generator.

The boat has two fuel valves. One for each gas tank. The valves are located on the bulkhead behind both engines. This bulkhead is accessed inside the cabin by removing the cushions on the settee in the cabin's rear lounge and then removing the hatch cover.

I assume that your single valve is located on the same bulkhead.

There is a hole in the middle of my fuel-valve dashboard (see my photo) and this seems to be where your single valve (marked "Generator") is positioned. Maybe your current valve still feeds your Generator. (You can choose to send fuel to the generator from either tank.)

When my stock generator was removed by the selling dealer and replaced by the Westerbeke unit, they chose to feed it from the starboard fuel tank for some unknown reason and eliminate the middle valve (marked "Generator.)

I am going to assume that for some reason your tank selector valves have been either moved elsewhere on the boat (doubtful) or eliminated completely (are the empty holes still there?). A new valve system feeding each engine separately has probably been installed.

[rickalan35]

Fuel Valves for 1994 Trojan370 Express

6DA7DB09-A510-4CD3-A8C3-1E1EDC8F53CD_1_105_c.jpeg (46.95 KiB) Viewed 7253 times

[rickalan35]

Trojanicki,

Hope my above comments helped. Best of luck with your new boat and congratulations. I hope you enjoy it and if I can help in any way, please feel free to ask.

Cheers

Rick

[trojanicki]

Hey Rick, thanks. I’ve followed the fuel lines from my tanks to the three way valve that is existing. I’ve looked at every line from the tank. There are no other valves in the fuel system on my boat. There are no empty holes where valves previously were located

[rickalan35]

Hi,

Well, that's a weird one.

It would seem to me that if the valve we are looking at is operative - it is indicating that it is adjusted to send fuel from your starboard tank to your generator.

Obviously, your engines are receiving fuel from "somewhere".

When you trace your fuel lines backward from your engines, I'd be curious to hear where you end up?

Good luck.

Rick