86 v20 fuel tank update
 

hi
just finished cold taring my original 60 g. factory fuel tank. (photo enclosed). I was going to powder coated it, but when i called RDS aluminum, they said cold tar epoxy is a better choice. I will install starboard panel strips, with 3m 5200, around the fuel tank. staying away from anything that holds moisture,
jet

you're not foaming in?

i read an article on by a marine surveyor about fuel tank installation and it said to stay away from foam or anything that will support moisture. that's why i am using starboard to support the tank on bottom and sides.

Very cool. How would you say this project went as far as:
- cost?
- difficulty?

I believe my tank is 11 years old now. I think I'm doing this project next Spring.

factory 60 gal. fuel tank was $500.00 plus 100 for s/h from perry fla. to yankeetown. fl.
$110.00 for a gal. of cold tar epoxy from grainger.
about $100 for the 1/2 thick starboard board pieces from boat outfitter.
removing the tank was a PITA, I cut the top of the tank with a cutting wheel and wrapped a heavy strap around the back wall and it rip it out partial. i had to cut holes into bottom of tank with a hole cutter to weaken it enough to put out

here are some photos of the fuel tank removal

photos

Wow. My tank isn't the factory original. It's like 11 years old, so I'm hoping its not as horrible to remove when the time comes. Thanks for all the pics.

your welcome, the foam surrounding the tank is the killer, its a PITA to remove and its damaging to the tank because it holds moisture.

Been there done that, not fun. Worth the peace of mind though.

Blue: I'm in the process of replacing my tank, I laugh when I see people worried about coating the tanks and spending so much money in epoxy paints, my tank is 37 years old (1978) and in general is looking brand new, when I removed the foam covering it, it looks brand new, ii even has the green primer that was used those days, The main problem with the tank is the water and the alcohol in the gas that deposits at the bottom of the tank and pits it for the inside. anyhow I'm planning to replace it with a Moeller nylon tank that cost a lot less than aluminum. I don't want it to last another 30 years because, in the unlikely even I last 30 years, I wont be able to afford using it, the way things are going...

Blue: When you say factory original, what do you mean ? , Did they sell you the tank as per our boat specifications ?, Do they have them already made ?

Zinc Chromate.... Depending on a few things it can be any color from green to yellow. Usually greenish yellow,

it was factory original spec. RDS ALUM. IN PERRY FL was the original mfg of the 60 gal. alum tank. the name has changed but it is the same company. they send me a copy of the fuel tank spec. and the only difference was that the new tank had two attachment holddowns on the top of the tank.

here is the data plate , and a photo of old tank installed from factory

mine was already made , it cost about $500 total includes s/h to crystal river 100.00 by freight.