[C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel tank

Thu Nov 9 14:45:53 PST 2017

Graeme,

I have uploaded the stock fuel tank diagram to the Catalina 320 website:

https://c320.org/filemgmt/visit.php?lid=189

or search on the site for: ezell

I also have a technical drawing and part number for our new design of C320 fuel tank that holds a little over ~23+ gallons and still fits through all the same access locations but does require a some modifications to the frame that holds the tank in place.

-Jeff Hare
#809

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Catalina
Sent: Tuesday, November 7, 2017 7:02 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel tank

The document is available from Catalina Direct. Search for fuel tanks. Find the c320 tank (also the c28 or something. I also have a copy that ezell sent me.
If you don't find it, I'll upload a copy to the site.
Jeff Hare

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------From: Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk> Date: 11/6/17  6:37 PM  (GMT-05:00) To: Catalina list <C320-List at Catalina320.com> Subject: Re: [C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel tank From where Jeff?

I searched the association site and googled, to no avail

Graeme

> On 5 Nov 2017, at 10:12, Catalina <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
> 
> The engineering drawing for the tank is available for download.  A decent local aluminum fabrication shop could make one.  There isn't anything too special about it.
> Jeff
> 
> 
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> -------- Original message --------From: Michael McCretton 
> <michaelmccretton at hotmail.com> Date: 11/5/17  1:46 AM  (GMT-05:00) To: 
> C320-List at Catalina320.com Subject: Re: [C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel tank Graeme A couple of years ago I had the bottom of my fuel tank cut off and replaced as you describe by http://www.jaywolfe.co.uk/ who are based in Northampton. They also put an access port in and replaced the rather heath robinson fuel guage with a more modern one. When finished they pressure tested it. Very professional and as you suggest a fraction of the cost from the US.
> I also went to see Tek Tanks who will make a plastic tank in any shape, but I stuck with the old one primarily because getting all the threads on existing connectors which were in American screw threads became problematic. They did not gave the appropriate cutters.
> I also put a hand pump in as recommended by Nigel Calder in his book on boat maintenance. He places great store by this. I can now drain the bottom of the tank with minimum effort. I got the pump fro Force4 for about £19.
> Regards
> Michael
> Silvan II 1994 #302
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On 4 Nov 2017, at 20:40, Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk<mailto:cg at skyflyer.co.uk>> wrote:
> 
> I think you could well be correct Jeff. Unfortunately overseas in U.K. the cost of importing a new one is horrendous!
> I'm thinking of having a new bottom welded into place instead. Relatively simple and inexpensive. The sides and top aren't really that bad.
> Graeme
> 
> Sent from mobile: please excuse typos etc.!
> 
> 
> On 4 Nov 2017, at 15:32, Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com<mailto:Catalina at thehares.com>> wrote:
> 
> 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<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto: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
> 
> 