Galvanized Fuel Tanks: Your opinion

Danny Bailey · Post by **Danny Bailey** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 8:33 pm

Just for info....the 1979-80 galv tanks I pulled out two years ago during my diesel repower are still laying on the ground back of my shop and still look good and have not rusted through. How long would they have lasted in the boat with gas in them....who knows!

lobo · Post by **lobo** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 7:14 am

thanks to all for your advise. I had a lot of trouble with my Trophy boat this summer so I didnt have the money to put new tanks in the Trojan and to tell you the truth I just got pissed about putting all of my money into my boat and jet ski so I figure I would try to clean it myself. Worked out well (for now) but I know I will need to address this in the near future. Talking to a number of experts the product POR 15 is designed to work in tanks that use ethanol. I would rather try and use the existing tanks that are fitted to the boat.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 9:22 am

Why not ask these experts about their guarantee against leaks with this POR15?

We'd love to hear the answer ...

lobo · Post by **lobo** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 9:32 am

like i said my friend uses it without problems and was suggested to him by other car restorers. try this web site
http://www.advanced-rust-protection.com ... ankSealers

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 12:17 pm

I had a 1972 MGB that the tank rusted out on - it dumped 1/4 the tank in the garage, which was a problem, but not super dangerous. If that dumps in your bilge, its a whole different ball game. Getting boat advise from car guys may not be the best.

Danny, Paul and I only give our opinions based on experience and our desire to help you. I think the "will these companies guarantee against leak, in a boat?" is a valid question.

My final point, and I'll kick the soapbox aside - will your insurance cover you for leak related claim (or fire) if you perform self repairs/patches/sealer on the tanks?

OK - bye bye soap box (sorry guys).

lobo · Post by **lobo** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 12:28 pm

point well taken, I did want opinions and thanks for yours. For the remainder of the year I just wanted the boat to run without having to change the filter every 20min and I did that. I would love to keep the original tanks but I am not against any other idea that will work. Does anyone have a galvanized tank rusted through story? The company (Petro Scrub) that was going to clean my tanks had offered to their services of coating my tanks and guaranteed it for as long as I had the boat. So there must be some validity behind the claims off coating gas tanks.

mr elevman · Post by **mr elevman** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 11:35 pm

i replased my tanks with plastic last year and i have no issues with them the orig galv tanks were rusting at the seams i have a 72 30' express it was some work but i was able to get the old tanks out and the new tanks in thru the aft hatch and whill the tanks were out i replased all the exhust hose and clamps rudder post packing and brassingthe chain that conects the stearing rod to the stearing box cleaned and painted the bildbe just a little 38 year pm work

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:34 am

They would not clean them .but will coat them ??

If there is rust on the bottom replace then . I assume you saw the insides when cleaning them

lobo · Post by **lobo** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:40 am

I had a problem with the reason they wouldnt clean them, I think they just didnt want to do it that day. It was about 100deg outside. There is a small patch of rust where the fuel comes in from the filler hose. So I know I have to do something with them eventually. It would cost me about $150.00 to prep and coat the inside of the tanks so I figure I will give it a try.

rooferdave · Post by **rooferdave** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 8:45 am

question on this coating idea....with a large gas tank in a boat and no suspension as a car, do the tanks not flex a bit with the boat movement?
If this is so it would seem the coating would crack/break, unless the coating is not rigid. The car tanks are smaller and less likley to flex and are set in a car with a suspension system.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:10 pm

150 for a maybe patch ? ?? a new tank is ??

lobo · Post by **lobo** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:18 pm

two tanks, and the retro fitting of lines will cost me almost a grand. After almost wasting 600.00 on cleaning them and then doing it myself for free I'm thinking it may be a good calculated risk to try and coat the tanks. Who knows I may end up finding something a lot of people on the forum could use. Also I think one of the problem some of you are having with the fuel gauges going up and down are because the plastic tanks may not have a baffle inside of the tank to limit the movement of fuel.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 7:24 pm

Your life