Fuel tank removal 1978 23 CC

EagleOCNJ · #1 03-18-2007, 04:49 PM

Ive read alot of posts about this. Time for me. I have a 78 23 CC with the fixed engine dam. I know I need to remove the console and cut foam.

Is the foam under the tank too? What to do if no access to a machine, fork lift, towtruck, or even a tree for that matter?

This stinks! Oh also I got a 1200 estimate for a new tank. Anyone know a better place in South NJ?

CValle · #2 03-18-2007, 06:03 PM

I paid a 1,000 for a 100 gallon custom built tank on Cape Cod. It's typically around $10/gallon.

Capt Chuck · #3 03-18-2007, 06:22 PM

Eagle

I removed my fuel tank(100 gal) in my '78 without much effort. I was able to remove the deck plate over the tank with only tilting the console forward a bit. Once the deck was off exposing the tank, it was a matter of unscrewing the tank hoses and the side supports and working it up and back out at the same time. There was four pieces of approx 1" teak epoxied to the inside of the stringers that the tank's support brackets were screwed into. No foam was under just a small amount on the sides. The tank sat on a piece of marine ply. In 1995 it cost me $600 for a 135Gal replacement.

EagleOCNJ · #4 03-19-2007, 04:58 PM

How do you suggest lifting it up? Can I maybe put a strap under it and three guys? Im having trouble with the last 20 gallons of fuel in there too. It looks like its gonna be a b@#ch to lift and manuever.

Do you have the big engine dam in the cockpit like mine has?

Ive cut most of the foam out or at least sliced it up pretty good. It has alot! And what did the bottom of your tanks look like - I should say was it real bad or leaking? Ive found that most boats wear the same and in the same places.

Capt Chuck · #5 03-19-2007, 05:51 PM

You have to get ALL the fuel out first, "PERIOD"

Two of us used a outboard engine hoist to lift and wiggle it out. Try a come-a-long hooked to the tanks mounting brackets. The bottom was crusted in places with small pin hole leaks. The floor had rotted out under as water reached it from the original battery boxes below. At the time of removal, I did have the large engine splashwell. I added a new tank floor before inserting the new tank.

BTW: I don't think anyone on this forum has removed their tank without using choice words of wisdom coupled with the consumption of some sort of alcoholic beverage

Briguy · #6 03-19-2007, 07:27 PM

I paid $575.00 for a custom 105 gallon tank here in Sarasota. I feel bad for you guys in the north always seem to pay alot more. Like Chuck said, get ALL of that fuel out. We lifted my old 150 gallon tank out with 2 guys but it was really a strain.

Fr. Frank · #7 03-20-2007, 01:23 AM

Quote:

BTW: I don't think anyone on this forum has removed their tank without using choice words of wisdom coupled with the consumption of some sort of alcoholic beverage

Actually, Chuck, I did. (That's no alcoholic beverages, I mean.) I did utter a few choice words of wisdom. It was either vent verbally that way or perform some "choice" indiscriminate mods with a 16lb 38" hammer.

BTW, a long prybar came in handy, too.