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Author Topic:   Installing new fuel tank 1983 Revenge 22

JMARTIN posted 03-08-2013 07:58 PM ET (US)
The new aluminum fuel tank is identical to the old one except it is not "painted" with that greenish stuff.
Should I seal it up with something?
How would you recommend bedding it down?
I think I should foam it back in to keep it secure, leaving a small open space at the lowest part of the stern where I have a hose installed now into the rigging tunnel. The plan was to use the hose to get out any future water.
I would use the original hold down bars.
John
Jeff posted 03-08-2013 11:24 PM ET (US)
John,
If it where me, I would have the tank powdercoated or rhino-lined prior it's installation. It should last a lifetime if done.
Also, I would likely find a way to resinstall the tank without foaming it in place. It would take building a special cradle but, if done like and if you installed a drain tube from the fuel tank cavity to the rear fish locker that would theoretically allow you to always drain the tank cavity of any water...
Of course foaming it is easiest and if the tank is coated, I doubt you'd ever really have much of a problem even if the cavity filled with water in the foam.
JMARTIN posted 03-08-2013 11:58 PM ET (US)
Thanks Jeff, it lasted 30 years and was still intact. I will Line X it, local guy has done a whole bunch of marine stuff. Then I am going to put down a whole bunch of the sticky stuff that the guy who built the tank will supply, strap and foam it in. Fluid in motion packs a wallop. The tank was foamed in for a reason.
There is a "thru hull" like tunnel even with the top of the tank that I have the hose in. I am willing to bet that more water got into the fuel cavity from going in this hole from the rigging tunnel than water came out of this hole into the rigging tunnel as per design.
John
Tom W Clark posted 03-09-2013 11:09 AM ET (US)
I would not coat an aluminum fuel tank.
Aluminum has a lot of corrosion resistance, but to achieve this resistance it must develop the protective oxidation on its surface. Aluminum in an anaerobic environment will corrode faster. This is why the foamed in fuel tanks corrode; the foam holds moisture and blocks to movement of air around the tank.
While a coating might theoretically protect the tank, any nick or pin hole in the coating will lead to a spot of corrosion which will bloom.
The fully foamed in fuel tanks are secure from shifting around, thats why the factory does it that way, but more air circulation around the tank will extend its life.
JMARTIN posted 03-09-2013 01:09 PM ET (US)
The original tank had a green coating. It has a name like zinc bro-mite or something like that. The tank guy suggests a good bedding to the bottom to hold it and foam it back in. Keep popping open the deck plates for ventilation and it will last another 30 years.
John

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Author	Topic: Installing new fuel tank 1983 Revenge 22
JMARTIN	posted 03-08-2013 07:58 PM ET (US) The new aluminum fuel tank is identical to the old one except it is not "painted" with that greenish stuff. Should I seal it up with something? How would you recommend bedding it down? I think I should foam it back in to keep it secure, leaving a small open space at the lowest part of the stern where I have a hose installed now into the rigging tunnel. The plan was to use the hose to get out any future water. I would use the original hold down bars. John
Jeff	posted 03-08-2013 11:24 PM ET (US) John, If it where me, I would have the tank powdercoated or rhino-lined prior it's installation. It should last a lifetime if done. Also, I would likely find a way to resinstall the tank without foaming it in place. It would take building a special cradle but, if done like and if you installed a drain tube from the fuel tank cavity to the rear fish locker that would theoretically allow you to always drain the tank cavity of any water... Of course foaming it is easiest and if the tank is coated, I doubt you'd ever really have much of a problem even if the cavity filled with water in the foam.
JMARTIN	posted 03-08-2013 11:58 PM ET (US) Thanks Jeff, it lasted 30 years and was still intact. I will Line X it, local guy has done a whole bunch of marine stuff. Then I am going to put down a whole bunch of the sticky stuff that the guy who built the tank will supply, strap and foam it in. Fluid in motion packs a wallop. The tank was foamed in for a reason. There is a "thru hull" like tunnel even with the top of the tank that I have the hose in. I am willing to bet that more water got into the fuel cavity from going in this hole from the rigging tunnel than water came out of this hole into the rigging tunnel as per design. John
Tom W Clark	posted 03-09-2013 11:09 AM ET (US) I would not coat an aluminum fuel tank. Aluminum has a lot of corrosion resistance, but to achieve this resistance it must develop the protective oxidation on its surface. Aluminum in an anaerobic environment will corrode faster. This is why the foamed in fuel tanks corrode; the foam holds moisture and blocks to movement of air around the tank. While a coating might theoretically protect the tank, any nick or pin hole in the coating will lead to a spot of corrosion which will bloom. The fully foamed in fuel tanks are secure from shifting around, thats why the factory does it that way, but more air circulation around the tank will extend its life.
JMARTIN	posted 03-09-2013 01:09 PM ET (US) The original tank had a green coating. It has a name like zinc bro-mite or something like that. The tank guy suggests a good bedding to the bottom to hold it and foam it back in. Keep popping open the deck plates for ventilation and it will last another 30 years. John