[C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel tank

Thu Nov 9 14:52:36 PST 2017

Oh, also, it looks like you can probably get a fuel tank fabricated in the UK for less than you could even buy the stock tank in the states (not even counting the shipping).

It was cheaper for me to design and have Ezell fabricate our new larger tank than it was to buy the original stock tank (which they needed to fabricate on demand also).  Go figure.

http://www.alloyracingfabrications.com in the uk and others let you get a custom tank quote pretty quickly and the tanks they list look very reasonably priced.

Just a thought.
-Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Hare
Sent: Thursday, November 9, 2017 5:46 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel tank

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
> 
> 