Fuel Tank Removal

mickeydd · Post by **mickeydd** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:59 pm

Hi guys, need a little help.....and I know this has been beat all to dog.

But, has anyone ever remove forward fuel tanks on F-32. I have a 1978, with twin 318's. My stbd side had a start of a small leak last spring. just went to my aft tanks for the season. I want to replace it...... so

If the exhaust, gennie & whatever else, without removing the engine. Can it be done?

Tks Mickey

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 4:45 pm

I believe you must pull the engine. Not that big a deal...time wise.

summer storm · Post by **summer storm** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:03 pm

Give the engines a nice paint job while they are out

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:51 pm

One a F36 I belive you can get the tanks out ( will take some wood work ) I would thing the F32 would be close to the same

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:37 pm

Is the tank empty / dry / fully ventilated, etc... ? Just wondering .. if it was.. is there any way to cut it up and take it out in pieces, and replace it with a bladder tank?

I don't know how tight things are with the forward tanks, or for that matter what their dimensions are, since my F32 only has the single set of aft tanks (which is a p.i.t.a.... 100 gallons doesn't give me as much range as I would like, but then again I can boast that I can fill 'er up for under $600!)

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:34 am

I don't belive a blader thank would work very well there

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:12 pm

I believe a bladder tank has to have support on 5 of the 6 sides. They are more for installing in the floor where its enclosed. Thats the way they were explained to me when I was considering one for my Chris Craft.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 6:16 pm

So you are saying being 'boxed in' by the ribs and stringers wouldn't be enough support?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 6:47 pm

I don't think it would be very good support , there made to lay flat not side ways on stringers . IMO to do so would be asking for trouble .

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:27 pm

Would bladder tanks be safe in the engine compartment that close to the manifolds? from what I have seen so far, the water cooled manifolds are jacketed everywhere except the bottom of the exhaust port at the head.....

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:37 pm

Bladders are just that. They will bulge out, imagine trying to control a 55gal garbage bag full of water. On a smaller scale fill a sandwich baggie with water or a balloon and try to control it. Now imagine a 100 to 150 gal bladder trying to control the one side with just a couple of ribs. I won't try it.

mickeydd · Post by **mickeydd** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:47 pm

Tks for all the help & comments guys.....Damm I have to take the engine out....ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.......lol

Capt...yes she been empty & dry for some time. I have four tanks on my "ole" girl (78' F32). It's the fwd stbd side...... just a little project this spring I'm gonna tackle.

Mickey

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:56 pm

I really think you can get them out , it will take some work but I bet it can be done . If you can't get the floor out of the way , pulling off That manifold and riser should give you room .

mickeydd · Post by **mickeydd** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 12:37 pm

Yea Prowl....... I think it can be done too. I already have the gennie out, if I remove the exhaust, risers & maybe the manifold. I dont care if I damage the old one, I'll bend the sucker all to dog if I have too.

The new one is going to be close to same capacity, but I think I'm going with a poly tank. Putting all new senders in all tanks while I'm doing it so......

Boating is such a joy........ As one of my fellow boaters at me marina keeps saying "When does the fun start"?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:06 pm

I don't like poly tanks ( you can smell fuel after a while ) But a poly tank will flex some so may help the install