Gas Tank Replacement

[MisterTwister]

I have a 1976 mirrocraft 19'2" aluminum boat that has a slow leak in the gas tank. The floor will be torn out next weekend. I was wondering if anyone knows what replacing a gas tank entails. I have researched the new plastic tanks and the mounting kits. Does sea foam in the hull get ripped out and need to get replaced? What type of mounting brackets or kits work the best? Any suggestions for gas tanks?

[One]

Where is your gas tank located at? I tore the floor out of my 76' Areocraft but my gas tanks run along the gunnels on top of the floor. The only problem I had is that they both had really old nasty fuel and varnish in them. Pain in the rear the clean. Also what is your tank made of?

[MisterTwister]

The gas tank is located just behind the winshield area and goes back almost three feet. So pretty much dead center of the boat. The gas tank Im guessing is some type of metal other than aluminum since it rusted. The floor isnt out yet so I cant give exact details but that is what I know.

[One]

You might have a problem finding one that fits back in that area. Might also try Gas Tank Renu. They might be able to redue it cheaper than replace it.
And on the foam under the floor - check to see how much needs to be replaced before you take a lot out. That stuff aint cheap. for 78$ I got a liquid mixture to cover, I think 8 sq. ft. @80 deg temp. Needless to say my garage couldn't get to 80deg and the foam didn't expand even close to that. I went through a "few" cans of great stuff. I didn't remove all the foam in the floor, just a few spots where I had one leaking rivit toward the frt and a 3-4" channel down the center from frt to back. I let it dry a couple months and it did real well. I got some pics of the whole thing if you'd like to see them. I can try to post them later.

[frenchriver1]

Have you ever seen a fish drown?

Every time you throw one in the bottom of the boat to let it die, it drowns.....

[MisterTwister]

I have to get one rivet replaced also. So I will be removing some foam. That sucks it is that expensive. I would like to see some pictures. that would be very helpful. The rivet and boot around I/O I am having done at the marina. The gas tank we are doing ourselves. So I should heat up the room I am in for the foam to properly expand. Thanks for the comments.

[eddiejohn4]

I did a complete restoration on my whole boat( 22 ft starcraft) from bow to stern. the gas tank was not hard to replace. mine is mounted in the stern. The foam was expensive but I needed a whole hull's worth as I had no floor or anything else for that matter.:)

[MisterTwister]

How expensive do you mean.

[One]

Heres a link to where I got the foam and marine epoxy for my boat.

http://www.shopmaninc.com/foam.html

I know it didn't expand like it said it should have but like I said before the instructions said @ 80deg. and I couldn't get the garage that hot. I do want to comment on the great customer service. Every time I called the sounded like they knew what they were talking about.

Heres some pics:

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/hunt-fish_020.jpgI removed a channel down the center to let water run out and let it dry out. The spot that was leaking was right under the steering wheel. The foam that was removed in the middle left hand side was done when I thought I could have a guy "spray" in foam like they do in buildings - He come out to give me a estimate - $600 to do the whole boat and he said that stuff flys everywhere. Glad I didn't do that.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/hunt-fish_022.jpg


http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/hunt-fish_024.jpg
After I got the floor down I drilled a few holes in the wood and inserted a few cans of great stuff to stiffin' up the seams and places I knew were low on foam between the joist. 250 rivets later and it turned out pertty good.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/hunt-fish_036.jpg
After a good weekend of sanding and a trip to the paint booth @ work theres no more Suzie Bear.:lol:
I got my order in for the new "Fish Tank" graphics.

[MisterTwister]

You redid all the rivets in your boat? How difficult was the paint job on your boat? It really looks nice! The inside of mine looks nice but the outside is worn pretty good.

[One]

I re-riveted the floor in. Thats how it was from the factory, I figured that lasted 30yrs - should but it all back the way it was.
The paint job wasn't bad. The blue on the bottom was there when I got it. When I got it somebody before me painted it silver and a clear coat from the blue up. That look really bad cause the clear started to peel. The hard part was the blue stripe. That was a vinyl sticker w/ clear coat over that.
I used a single stage white from ppg. Turned out really good.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/550/medium/100_06451.JPG (http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/550/100_06451.JPG)

[MisterTwister]

That turned out well. I guess I really dont need mine to be pretty as long as it catches fish. Thanks for all the help ONE.

[One]

Well I hope that helped and everything goes well w/ your project.