The new fuel tank ready to install. This one was made out of 5052 Aluminim by a Sheet Metal builder (Billings Sheetmetal) in Olean, New York. I have a complete AutoCAD drawing if any one needs it. My tank has an extra fuel pick up point for my ESAPAR heater. The gray is a two part epoxy coating.
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/dtskibo/Fuel%20Tank/6thWeekend001.jpg)
The area where the tank sits was cleaned and epoxy coated. The forward bulkhead in the tank box was removed to get the old tank out. The aluminum angle that you can see is for the new rear engine room firewall and mizzen support.
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/dtskibo/Fuel%20Tank/6thWeekend003.jpg)
The new tank is in place at the point and the forward bulkhead panel is also back in place.
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/dtskibo/Fuel%20Tank/6thWeekend009.jpg)
I installed new 1" wide stainless straps up and over the tank side to side. The old straps went fore and aft. The black plastic corner fitting protects the tank from the strap. They are used in shipping departments to protect cardboard box corners from packing strap.
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/dtskibo/Fuel%20Tank/10thWeekend021.jpg)New tank in place and finished. The tank itself cost me around $500. I built all of the fuel pick-up fittings and hold down straps.
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/dtskibo/Fuel%20Tank/6thWeekend012.jpg)
I will dig that drawing up and try to post it. The story behind the story is that I decided to build the replacement tank. What the heck, I have welded all kinds of stuff, so weld I did. Unfortunately under the 5psi pressure test it leaked, and leaked and leaked. The more I fixed it the more it leaked. It was at this point that I contacted Billings Sheet Metal and asked them to make me one. I went back and researched the whole fiasco and discovered that I wasn't using the proper fill rod and the aluminum was changing molecular structure with the heat. Apparently, the correct filler rod would have provided the proper alloy to counter act that problem. I made my own fuel pickups. A standard weatherhead (manufacture's name avaliable at NAPA) was drilled out to accept a stainless tube and then the tube was silver soldered into the fitting.
Dale