Removal of Galley sink counter

[sailn]

I am the owner of a 1982, 367, hull number 33. I have named her "MIXED BLESSING", or should I say, she named herself, lol. They are lots of fun, but also a lot of work. Right now I am having a hard time seeing the blessing. I am in the process of an engine rebuild, and will be removing at least the end panel of the counter. I was wondering how the joints go together, and if I can disassemble without destroying it. To bad I have already revarnished everything.

[INCOMMUNICADO]

Sailn,I have removed that end of the counter a few times for engine removal and fuel tank replacement.Remove the plastic laminate then the counter sunk wood screws.Allen

[sailn]

  Thanks. Knowing that the top was screwded, not glued, I played around and got the side screws out instead. It was more work possibly. I removed the fiddles, and with a razor knife, I worked it around the top, I cut the side panels clear, and saved the top. Next I cut the front panel just before the next divider. This is hidden by the stove unit and will be an easy fix.
  The engine is out, and I am waiting for parts. I now look at the fuel tank, and wonder if I should just change it now, and be done. The work never ends when you let your mind play the "what if game". What if it goes in a few years, and I need to do this again, lol. The work continues.

[slokat]

Hmm, my engine came out & was put back in without cutting up the galley cabinet. Just unscrewed and removed the cabinet under the companionway ladder...

[barrylab]

I'd say change the fuel tank out. I pulled my engine this last spring, looked at the light patina of rust on the old tank and thought, it's a lot of work to pump it out and remove it, maybe it's OK. The next day I found a diesel transfer pump at the local Harbor Freight for cheap, and decided it must be a sign. I pumped the 50 Gal of diesel into a plastic drum in the cockpit, and lifted the tank out with the help of a small pry bar. Check out the pictures, there is definitely bad rust on the bottom. It was sitting on plywood (nice moisture sponge). When I brought it to the fabricator to have an aluminum tank made, it started to leak the few ounces of fuel left in the tank.

http://s1261.photobucket.com/albums/ii598/barrylab1/Tank%20Removal/

[sailn]

  Thanks for the comments, although I am a little jealous of slocat not having to remove the cabinet, lol.
  My tank is aluminum, but the not being sure is the kicker. I know in the end it will come out, if only to get a got look at it, but I will likely replace it. I want to have fuel tank trouble just because it was easier to leave it.

[barrylab]

My advice (for what it's worth) is:
1. Empty it into a barrel
2. Lift it out to the cockpit for inspection
3. If it looks OK, slap another coat of paint on it
   If not, take it to a fabricator as a model to build a new one.
4. Put the resultant tank back in.

I gave the fabricator schematics of what I wanted (many thanks to Dale). He asked for the old tank as a reference.
I'm rebuilding the frame in plastic (no sponge effect)

[SVJourney]

If your tank is aluminum, its probably been replaced already.  Good idea to  pull it out and treat the aluminum if there are any developing areas of corrosion.  Etch and Alodine are cheap.

[sailn]

The tank will come out next week for a look. What I can see looks good, but the viewing port for the fuel gauge leaked when I bought the boat. If good she will be coated, if not repaired or replaced.
Thanks for all the replies. Always good to get advise.