Fuel Tank question..

memo · 08 February 2009, 17:11

Hi all,
I'm about to order a custom made stainless steel fuel tank at around 60 litres. We're planning to use 3mm SS and I'm trying to decide what king of fuel retainer to use on the tank.
One idea is using the standart Duratank (which came with my etec 40) retainer with fuel level gauge (I will have a manual fuel gauge on the tank apart from the dashboard mounted one with this way). As far as know, these retainer assemblies have also built in breathers for the tank but I am not sure. At least my plastic tank never shrinks but it inflates nicely on hot days!!

If I use this part do I still have to install a fuel breather on the tank? What do you think?
thanks!
Memo

Chris · 08 February 2009, 18:36

International Marine Supplies sell quite a few tank accessories.

I used one of these combo plates on a tank I had fabricated
http://www.imsupplies.co.uk/product....cat=154&page=1

I also had to get some special neoprene well nuts that were used with 3mm SS machine screws to hold the plate onto the tank.
http://www.rivetwise.co.uk/productrange/wellnut.htm

Andy Young2 · 09 February 2009, 06:43

Chris did the adapter plate come with a seal or gasket and/or did you use any type of liquid sealant between the adapter plate/seal/tank?
Finally what price were the special neoprene well nuts (for 10).

It is so frustrating that I can see the kit I need in UK but need to bodge where I am. This time however I shall wait and mail order the right bits.

Many thanks

Andy Young2 · 09 February 2009, 12:33

Chris regarding well nuts you said 3mm. is this the right part number 3WN11A

many thanks

martini · 09 February 2009, 16:38

This is the arrangement on my tanks, similar sort of thing but in stainless. Better than plastic because you can drill/tap/weld on it to suit you're own requirements, even if you're requirements change in the future.

I had senders made to suit my smartcraft system which needed a 1.25" BSP thread. I just drilled a hole in the plate and welded in a BSP half-socket.

memo · 09 February 2009, 17:17

Thanks for the ideas guys.
Martini, actually a stainless part will be easier for me as well. Have you used any kind of breather? and how many litres is that beast?

Chris · 09 February 2009, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Young2

Chris did the adapter plate come with a seal or gasket and/or did you use any type of liquid sealant between the adapter plate/seal/tank?
Finally what price were the special neoprene well nuts (for 10).

It is so frustrating that I can see the kit I need in UK but need to bodge where I am. This time however I shall wait and mail order the right bits.

Many thanks

The plate comes with a large O-ring that seals against the face of the tank.

If your tank can flex I would think again as this would not be suitable my tank at the top was only about 30 x 20cm so was rigid.

Chris · 09 February 2009, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Young2

Chris regarding well nuts you said 3mm. is this the right part number 3WN11A

many thanks

Yes thats right Andy or alternatively the 4mm ones would work as well if you wanted to go up a notch.

martini · 09 February 2009, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by memo

Thanks for the ideas guys.
Martini, actually a stainless part will be easier for me as well. Have you used any kind of breather? and how many litres is that beast?

340 litres and I got 2 of them

Connection for a breather is best situated wherever the highest point of the tank is likely to be (probably the fwd end), any sort of welded in 8/10mm hosetail will do.

memo · 09 February 2009, 20:33

Cheers Martini! One more thing, I was browsing the catalogue of my local marine store and I saw a grounding plate for metal fuel tanks. Have you put something like this?

martini · 09 February 2009, 21:29

Yep, if using a metal fuel filler with a rubber hose between it and the tank, connect the 2 together with a earth wire to prevent static build up when refuelling. In the case of my boat, both tanks are also connected to an anode on the hull. I just copied what was there originally, too complicated a subject for me to do any more than that!