how NOT to install a fuel tank

[pelican]

take a look at these pictures - this is a potter built 23,in my shop for some work...the deck hatches are rotted,deck's rotted - and a few other things are goin' on too...

this tank has been replaced previous - sprayed in a zinc chromate primer - note the areas of corrosion - these are in the bottom portion of the tank - almost through the tank.this tank was gonna develop a leak in a short amount of time.also note the vent hose - pieced - it was leaking - note the clamps used...note the fuel level sending unit - notice the screws are different ? that was also leaking...note the fact,no dedicated ground to the tank,as well as a lead for the static ground for the deck fill - that was lying on the tank - never connected...note the screws pulling out and missing - wanna guess where the missing screws were ? this tank was just sitting on fiberglass - absolutley no abrasion protection...


anybody see anything else wrong ?

[pelican]

the pictures - these do not show the depth of those pits

pitting like this is trouble ! attempting to repair this is asking for trouble...

tanks - aluminum tanks - should be chemically etch primed and coated in a waterproof coating,to the proper thickness - i use interprotect 2000e - this is a waterproof barrier,it seperates the aluminum tank surface from water - this is a good,reliable coating method - done in the correct manner,the tank will last indefinatley...



if your fuel system is in the 10yr range,i highly reccomend you pull that tank and inspect it !

[workinpr0gress]

That's a beaut! The plywood shims look as old as the boat. Is that a household copper 90?

[bly]

the rubber vent hose? I know you will make it all good jim. Aluminum and salt water are almost as compatible as plywood and balsa with wet conditions. Boats do not get wet do they?

[floorboy]

Eeeeesh... My tank is 33 years old. Took it out last year and it looked great yet (freshwater)

[billythekid]

that is ugly did that boat sink and sit on the bottom for awhile???

[bly]

This is the way I have been doing them.
That is not rubber on the bottom. It is neoprene. they claim rubber has carbon in it and causes galvanic corrosion.