Gas Tank removal

rudders_midship · #1 01-01-2003, 04:03 PM

Is there any trick to removing the foam around the gas tank i.e liquid to dislove, Ive dug and dug with a screw drver and tank wont budge

Jam

Trayder · #2 01-01-2003, 04:48 PM

I used long hacksaw blades they worked very well.

[ January 01, 2003, 08:17 PM: Message edited by: Trayder ]

Jon G · #3 01-01-2003, 05:43 PM

Rudders what year is your boat? I just took mine out of my 74" and there was no foam on the sides [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] only the front and the tank broke away from that long ago, lifted it right up. Keep on sawing it will pop after a while. Got to mine just in time, tank looked great for 28 years old except for one spot on the bottom that had a tiny leak that had "gummed" itself up over time, after pressure washing it it was very apperant that it was really close to letting go big time [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] . Saw- saw-saw-saw-liiiiift! Good luck. Jon

rudders_midship · #4 01-01-2003, 05:46 PM

Boat is a 1978 20' sceptre Ill try the hack saw blades I think they went nutty with the foam and it looks original.

Jam

Jon G · #5 01-01-2003, 06:03 PM

Chip(saw) away at the stone! The foam around the tank must have been a later thing mine was held in there with four angle mounts on top of the tank that screwed in to the stringers. Some were along the line they must have just poured foam around them hence all the faom you now have to remove [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] It must be cold up there to!

Scott · #6 01-01-2003, 06:23 PM

Well I dont know what kinda room you've got to work in on the 20 ..... but I used a crosscut saw (just a good old hand saw...and I would think in limited space a keyhole saw would work great) jammed it down in the foam between the tank and stringers and cut out slices of the foam ...enough to release it so it could be wrestled out of the bilge....then cleaned the mess that was left on the stringers later....while not my favorite job it didnt take that long....as JonG mentions make sure your not screwed into the stringers also ..... Mine was

ltdan · #7 01-01-2003, 08:45 PM

I NEED SOME OPINION'S/HELP. LT DAN HERE,I JUST GOT STARTED ON A 23C.C. REDO, AND I WANT TO PULL THE TANK. WITH THE CENTER FLOOR PIECE OUT,FROM WHAT I CAN SEE THE TANK LOOK'S GREAT. IT'S BEEN COATED WITH GREEN EPOXY. LOOKING THROUGH THE SENDING UNIT HOLE,FROM WHAT I CAN SEE, THE TANK LOOK'S NEW!! NO DIRT NO SLUDGE OR GEL. THE HULL'S AN 83" AND MY GUESS IS THE TANK'S ORIGINAL.(CANT READ THE ID BADGE) NO FUEL SMELL AND NOTHING VISUALLY TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. TO GET TO THE FOAM ON THE SIDE'S WOULD MEAN CUTTING THE EDGE OFF ALL THE WAY AROUND THE OPENING THAT THE DECK PIECE SIT'S ON AND SCREW'S TO. ANYBODY GOT SOME IDEA'S? SHOULD I LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE? I'LD GO NUT'S IF I HACKED UP SOME OF THE DECK JUST TO FIND OUT THE TANK'S O.K. [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] THANK'S IN ADVANCE LT DAN

Jon G · #8 01-01-2003, 09:28 PM

Lt.Dan I think from reading other posts that your tank should lift right out once you loosen it from the foam. Run a saw right down beside the tank and it should come up with out toughing the deck. I'm not to familiar with how much room you have on the 23'. My tank looked like it was only a couple of years old to my suprise when I got it out. It was origional 74' and had no foam around it except on the front side. I think the one thing that made the tank last so long was the fact it didn't have the foam up against it and the vents everybody hates on the back of the boat let lots of fresh air in to keep the tank are well ventilated(dry). After I pulled the tank I could not believe the breeze I was getting under the deck even with the boat tarpped. Like I said the tank looked great no mess in the inside and very little corrosion on the outside EXCEPT the one spot on the bottom that was rotted right through and ready to let go. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] I was going to do the tank next year and when I topped it off for the winter I smelled gas a couple days later. It turns out around the sender was slightly leaky when full. I also had to put a new peice of plywood under the tank too, the old one was broken loose on both sides. I am very glad that I did it now verses next summer when the fish are biting! I guess the only way to know for sure is it pull it and have it checked. Not a fun job but when its done that will be one less worry for many years to come. With out pulling it its a crap shoot could be good and it could be ready to go. There should be some info on 23' tanks and removal in some of the older threads. Try a search for "tanks" threads. This is the site for SeaCrafts the info here is top notch bar none! Congrats on the new ride. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]