Saddle Tank Replacement - Page 2

tsubaki · #11 05-04-2007, 06:37 PM

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 · #12 05-04-2007, 06:38 PM

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 · #13 05-04-2007, 06:54 PM

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

axespino · #14 05-04-2007, 07:29 PM

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 · #15 05-04-2007, 08:37 PM

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

tsubaki · #16 05-04-2007, 10:09 PM

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

axespino · #17 05-05-2007, 11:16 AM

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 · #18 05-24-2007, 01:16 AM

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 · #19 05-24-2007, 01:33 AM

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

macojoe · #20 05-24-2007, 01:47 AM

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!!