Saddle Tank Replacement

[Fitz]

Does anyone know the measurements for the saddle tanks on a 1975 Steplift, or where to find them?

I'm preparing to order replacement polyurethane saddle tanks for the original aluminum saddle tanks on my 1975 StepLift, because the pickup tubes on those tanks have deteriorated and can't be replaced without cutting and welding.

I began experiencing sudden, seemingly-random fuel-cutoff symptoms when running on either saddle tank last season, even though I always had plenty of fuel. I initially thought the problems might be due to air flow restrictions or leaks. When I didn't find any such problems I began to run Internet searches for other possible causes. The comments of forum member Axespino in this thread led me in the right investigative direction:

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=General;action=display;num=11554836 77

I pulled the tanks this winter and found that the pickup ends were almost completely clogged. The mechanics at my marina told me it would make more sense to replace them with new plastic tanks than to to try to repair them, so that's what I'm now doing. I'm giving the history just to help anyone else who might run across the same problem. I suspect that what really killed those tanks after more than 30 years of trouble-free use was their first full season of running ethanol-laced gas.

Anyway, it appears that Moeller makes some tanks that will fit with minimal adaptation, but I need the exact measurements of the bottom width, top width, length, and height of my existing tanks. Unfortunately my boat is presently 60 miles away and shrink-wrapped, and I won't be able to get down there to take measurements for another few weeks. Needless to say, I'd like to order now and hit the ground running.

Does anyone have that info? Thanks in advance.

[reelapeelin]

Fitz...I babysat my saddle tanks for years after replacing w/ tanks under seat bolsters for added capacity...finally gave them away 3 years ago, so can't help...if MJ comes along, he's still packin' his saddles ;) ...

[macojoe]

How much money is it worth to you?? ;D
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Well with bad foot and all I went out and got it for you ;)

60" Long
17" High
6" Top Wide
3" Bottom Wide

[reelapeelin]

Well with bad foot and all I went out and got it for you ;)

60" Long
17" High
6" Top Wide
3" Bottom Wide




The walkin' wounded comes thru again!!...
8) ...

[macojoe]

Here is a todd tank $199
http://www.shootnhunt.com/catalog/JM/fuel_tanks/todd/5900913.html

Tempo has a few that willl work (you have a littkle extra room
http://www.tempoproducts.com/2004/bd_fuel_tanks2.html

[macojoe]

8 days from now I won't be doing anything for 3 weeks :'(

[reelapeelin]

8 days from now I won't be doing anything for 3 weeks :'(






Maybe Willy can send ya the books I sent to him back when he had his neck operation ;) ...

[macojoe]

O Baby!! Hey willy you holding out?? ;)

[Fitz]

MJ - Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. I'll take and post some photos when I do the job to help others in the future.


Fitz

[axespino]

When you get the plastic tanks how will they be mounted. The old tanks had the tab that screwed into the floor, but I don't see anything like that for the plastic tanks. I want to get the plastic tanks especially the 24 gallon tanks. Thanks

[tsubaki]

Fitz, I may have the same problem. In a couple of weeks I'm going to drain mine and examine them. They are the original ones in my "75 cuddy. I know for a fact this boat hasen't been in the water for over 3 years. Keep us posted.

[macojoe]

My tabs broke off years ago!! They just sit in there behind the wall which is screwed to the gunnel and to the floor. They are going no were!!

24 gal I am not sure they will fit in there, at least not with out modfiying the side pannels, so they come out some more?

[tsubaki]

Mine are 20 gal each. I can still read the labels if that helps any.

[axespino]

The outside panels on mine are long gone. I thought about having a raised lip put in to keep the bottom from kicking out.

[macojoe]

That will work! Just make a new panel they easy!!

[tsubaki]

I'm not replacing the panels and the mounts are still there. Figured less to contend with later. :-/

[axespino]

One of my tanks wore through on the bottom. The only thing that was holding the tank in place was the fill hose. One thing that did not help was the tank was real pitted and it was only a matter of time before it started to leak.

[Fitz]

This is an update.

After unsuccessfully searching long and hard for plastic saddle tanks that would fit into my existing tank spaces, I decided to order new aluminum tanks from speedytanks.com. However, I wasn't able to place an order without giving speedytanks.com the exact locations of the fill and vent tubes, so I took the day off today and drove down the shore to get that info.

While taking those additional measurements, I decided to unscrew the elbows from the tops of the pickup tubes and run a stiff wire down the length of them to see if I could determine the nature and location of the (expected) deterioration. Surprisingly, underneath each elbow, at the top of each tube, I found a very fine-mesh filter, about 2" in length. I previously thought the tubes themselves were clogged, but the clogs were actually in the filters.

I pulled the filters and ran the wire down each tube. I could not feel any blockage, irregularity, or deterioration at all in either tube. I then pulled the fuel gauge senders and inserted a small flashlight into each tank. I was able to see about 90% of the length of each pickup tube (the rest was obscured by the baffles), and they both looked perfect. The tanks also looked remarkably clean.

As a result of that inspection, I now believe that those clogged filters have been causing my fuel starvation problems, not any pickup tube deterioration. Accordingly, I removed the tube filters and re-installed the tanks. My boat has a large, in-line OMC filter and also the internal engine fuel filter, so I'm not worried about sucking up any sludge.

Looking under those elbows may have saved a good deal of time, work, and money. I hope to splash the boat this weekend, so I'll let you know if my new assumption is correct. Thanks again for all the advice and info.

[msbhammer]

Good job Fitz. Glad you found the problem and saved all that money from having to put out in new tanks. ;)

[macojoe]

Good save!! I had problems with the elbows also a long time ago, I had to take the balls out for the anti sypion.

I would have mentioned it is you had not said that the pick ups were rotted off. I thought you knew what you were talking about!! :-/

But I will keep that in mind next time, Fitz has no idea what he is saying ;) ;D

Your large filter is all you need you be fine now!!

[tsubaki]

Full Member




75 cuddy work in progress

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Gender:
Posts: 487
*Re: Specs
« Reply #108 on: May 18th, 2007, 8:32pm » *Quote *Modify *Remove *

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Found out why one tank acted clogged.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tsubaki3/Picture065.jpg
Filter (now cleaned) and pickup tube full of trash.
The other tank is perfect. *
« Last Edit: May 18th, 2007, 8:33pm by tsubaki »
Balls in elbows MJ was talking about.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tsubaki3/Picture074.jpg

[Fitz]

Tsubaki:

That's exactly what I found under the fittings in both tanks. I should have taken some photos. Those filters are so small and fine that I'm amazed they went as many years as they did without causing problems.

[macojoe]

I Just replaxced the fittings and never put the balls or filters back

[reelapeelin]

Good work, Fitz...glad to see ya back on the board ... ;) ...

[tsubaki]

I have removed them completely and the flow valves and just got a straight shot to the water seperator.
Daddy now believes that is why two engines on the boat ran lean and burned pistons. One engine did it twice.

[Fitz]

A final update:

I put the boat in the water last weekend and logged about 50 miles testing the fuel tanks and all the other systems. I'm happy to report that the pickup tube filters were indeed the problem, and that I don't need new tanks.

I'm extremely glad I was able to fix this problem at the beginning of the season, as I would not have wanted to waste any warm-weather time troubleshooting or doing repairs. Needless to say, getting back on the water after a long winter was extremely therapeutic.

Thanks again for all the help. I hope everyone has a great season. I'll try to take and post some updated photos later in the summer.

[macojoe]

Thats Great news!! I will be starting my season in 10 days!!

Good Luck!