| Title: | SAILING |
| Notice: | Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference |
| Moderator: | UNIFIX::BERENS |
| Created: | Wed Jul 01 1992 |
| Last Modified: | Mon Jun 02 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 2299 |
| Total number of notes: | 20724 |
Well, we are finally taking the plunge by buying an oldie
but goodie Contest31, built in '73. She has held her age well
but she has a few defects which will need repairing before
next season. One of these defects is a "weep" on the seam of
her stainless steel diesel fuel tank. My questions are as
follows:
* Is there a liquid lining material that I can use
to seal up the holes similar to that used by old car restorers
on their very vintage gasoline tanks?
* Have any of you used this stuff to repair diesel
tanks?
* If I descide to replace the tank, what material
should I have it fabricated of?
* Can you recommend a shop (western mass/central
conn) where I can get this tank repaired or a new one can
be made?
* Is there a source of ready made tanks out there?
There are probably alot more questions that I haven't
thought of yet but the answers to these will help alot.
Thank you all, John
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 998.1 | MSCSSE::BERENS | Alan Berens | Fri Sep 30 1988 14:22 | 19 | |
Personally, I'd replace the tank. Leaking fuel has only one place to go -- the bilge. Diesel tanks can be made of monel (the cost is prohibitive), stainless steel, aluminum, and black iron (I think, and whatever that is). Repairing (rewelding) your current tank might be possible, but finding someone willing to do it might be difficult. After all, at welding temperatures any diesel vapors or sludge in the tank will burn merrily. I doubt you'll find a stock tank due to the funny shapes boats have. I'd use aluminum (that's what our tank is made of) as the material is inexpensive and any competent welder could weld it together. See the Yellow Pages under Sheet Metal and/or Welding. If you get ambitious, you could buy sheet aluminum, cut out all the pieces with a sabre saw, and then have someone weld it together. Heck, sign up for an adult education welding course at your local vocational school and make the tank yourself. You'll even learn a new trade in case computers are a passing fad. | |||||
| 998.2 | Try Defender Ind. | EMASA2::HO | Fri Oct 07 1988 10:43 | 12 | |
The Defender catalog lists off-the-shelf fuel tanks in a variety
of shapes. The available materials are aluminized steel and all
aluminum. Costs run from about $100 - $200.
I've known welders who have repaired automobile gas tanks so doing
the same for a boat fuel tank shouldn't be any more difficult.
The trick is to fill the tank with an inert substance. I've forgotten
what they use but something like calcium salts of some sort come
to mind.
- gene ho
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| 998.3 | IT'S FIXED...I HOPE! | RAIN::WHITCOMB | Wed Dec 14 1988 19:57 | 9 | |
I am happy to report that my tank has been repaired for the princely
sum of $10.00 at a radiator repair shop. They had the facilities
to boil it out over a weekend, resolder the hair line crack on one
of the seams, and pressure test it. However, since I can't believe
I got away so cheaply, I will make sure when I reinstall it that
I will be able to remove it with more ease then previously.
Thanks for your help,
John W.
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