Fuel Tank problem

alano · Post by **alano** » Oct 27th, '09, 08:53

FWIW, I cut several different size wedges out of 2x6, 2x4 and 2x8 and drove them under the tank after cutting the tabbing and it popped up eventually, don't know if you have room to swing a maul, I have a 35 w/out the generator so that wasn't issue. br, Alan.

Skipper Dick · Post by **Skipper Dick** » Oct 27th, '09, 09:55

Frank,

When I got ready to replace my 190 gallon tank, I siphoned all the gas I could get out from the tube, then pulled the tube to get acces to the remainder with the siphon hose. I got all but about a cup that remianed then I tied a rag on a wood pole and sponged the rest out until there was no more than a spoon full. I left the tank open and it evaporated. Then I ran water and soap in the tank and sprayed it around as much as I could until all but a little fume was left. After siphonbing out the water and letting it dry for a couple of days, there was little or no fumes.

Once I got the tabs cut and was down to the tank being held in place by the goop they put on the bottom, I backed the boat up under my lift and ran a tow chain into the tube access hole with a hook on the end. With the other end on the lift, I raised the lift until the tank finally gave way. I thought I was going to lift the whole stern of the boat, but it gave finally after I got on top of the tank and jumped up and down a little.

The rest was easy.

Dick

Ed Curry · Post by **Ed Curry** » Oct 27th, '09, 12:19

I have a couple of 4x6 and 6x6 that I use as a gantry for removing my engines. You're welcome to borrow them and a 6' wrecking bar if you think that will help.

Charlie · Post by **Charlie** » Oct 27th, '09, 16:13

George Dent removed the top of a 25B tank some years ago. All the gelcoat was peeling. He ground her down and coated with West System. Then he fiberglassed the top back on. All went well until ethanol. It attacked the top and even started to attack the West epoxy. The West did stick very well to a 45 year old tank.

scenarioL113 · Post by **scenarioL113** » Oct 27th, '09, 17:04

Thanks for all the replies!

The tank is out and I have some very GRAPHIC pictures of a Bertram tank that has been destroyed by ethanol and then destroyed by its owner to get it out.

The old fuel was VERY flammable, I had burned some in a container to see how explosive it may have been.

I had less than 1 inch of fuel and I filled tank with water to top, I then drilled a hole near the top on the side and let the water drain into bilge, when the water drained enough to start letting the fuel (fuel floats on top) pass I drained into a bucket. This worked out pretty well. After I got the fuel out I added detergent and made suds.

I then cut the top off and proceeded to cut working my way down cutting as I went.

I got it all out, it was gooped on both sides of tank and the total length.

scenarioL113 · Post by **scenarioL113** » Oct 27th, '09, 17:25

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scenarioL113 · Post by **scenarioL113** » Oct 27th, '09, 17:33

The goop holding the bottom of the rank fought me till the very end, even when I had most of the tank cut off it. I had plenty of leverage with the 4ft crowbars. It took the plywood up with it.

I believe these old Bertrams were built by old timers that were afraid of fiberglass and resin and over-killed when they put them together.

Its good to know they are well built.

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Oct 27th, '09, 18:14

I believe these old Bertrams were built by old timers that were afraid of fiberglass and resin and over-killed when they put them together.

Nope....

They were built by a bunch of new to the industry guys and nobody really understood or appreciated the strength of fiberglass, being a relatively new material to the boat building industry at the time, and they inadvertently over-killed em...

Be glad they didn't have epoxy back then, or you'd still be up on the boat with a hammer and chisel.

Sometimes rippin' old crap apart is good therapy...

coolair · Post by **coolair** » Oct 27th, '09, 19:12

rippin' crap apart is GREAT therapy!

Rawleigh · Post by **Rawleigh** » Oct 28th, '09, 07:44

Wow, that tank really was toast!! Good work on getting it out. I like you draining approach!

John F. · Post by **John F.** » Oct 28th, '09, 09:01

That tank is something. My tank looked fine--no ethanol. Looking at yours makes me happy that I went to aluminum before ethanol. I'd hate to have gas from there running through my 454s. Good luck with the rest of it. Nice job.

John

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Oct 28th, '09, 17:17

The West did stick very well to a 45 year old tank.

More than likely the West system created a liner instead, which in and of itself felt solid.

Once the gel coat is gone and the glass absorbes the fuel all the grinding in the world won't make it stick to that glass.

Once that tank was filled and flexed some, I'll bet dollars to donuts if they would have pulled that tank back out, cut the top off there would have been numerous places where the west system wasn't sticking.

At that point its only a matter of time before it leaks.

scenarioL113 · Post by **scenarioL113** » Oct 28th, '09, 21:37

My tank was not leaking but it was starting to break down. I had tree-sap type liquid all over my hands and boots that I had a lot of trouble getting off. This is the crap that they are talking about that covers the internal parts of your engine and basically will ruin them if not caught early enough.

That was resin and fiberglass that was breaking down. Nasty stuff and smelled awful.

I drill holes in the tank as I was draining it of water and it was very thin on the bottom of the tank.

bertram31.com

Fuel Tank problem

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