[C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel tank

[Jeff Hare]

If you look closely, you'll see all the internal pitting/corrosion (the dark
spots).  The early tanks (even through 2002 models) used significantly
thinner aluminum than the latest tanks.

I predict that this tank will spring real leaks before much longer,
especially now that it's cleaned and the corrosion can really get started
again. Instead of just cleaning out the inside of the tank, I think you'll
soon be pulling out the aft water tank and cleaning leaked diesel from that
area and the grid stringers.  These old tanks will all fail. And it's those
pits that will start weeping.  Ours was replaced 2 years ago in our 2001.

Also the newer tanks have a pickup that dips near the bottom but doesn't sit
on the bottom.  I actually prefer that the crud to be picked up and handled
by your primary filter, so that your tank retains less debris over time, but
that's just my preference based on how and where we use our boat.

We designed and installed a ~24gal replacement tank that EZELL built for us
using the same thicker material they use in the newer tanks.
https://c320.org/mediagallery/album.php?aid=298

-Jeff Hare 
#809


-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
Of Graeme Clark
Sent: Saturday, November 4, 2017 10:41 AM
To: Catalina list <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel tank

Indeed so Ted,
The ends are folded over and inserted INTO the folded body then welded on
the outside. I guess it gives extra rigidity around the edges, but is also
leaves an impossible to clean crevice where dirt can collect.
I have no idea what the gunk consisted of, but there was a grittiness to it.
I suspect its a combination of things!
Graeme


> On 4 Nov 2017, at 12:22, Ted Harrison <tharrison at innovations-plus.com>
wrote:
> 
> Thanks for the pictures. What I also noticed was the metal seams.
> 
> Ted Harrison
> 
>> On Nov 4, 2017, at 8:14 AM, Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk> wrote:
>> 
>> Before and after pics, having cut an inspection port and cleaned out 21
years worth of gunk!
>> 
>> I was surprised to find the rubber extension hose on the fuel pickup
leading to the very lowest point of the tank (forward port corner) where it
is ideally placed to suck up any accumulated muck!
>> 
>> Before:-   https://ibb.co/giY9Nb <https://ibb.co/giY9Nb>
>> 
>> After:-   https://ibb.co/d9wJFw <https://ibb.co/d9wJFw>
>> 
>> Graeme
>> #366, Jaskar, 1996, UK