Fuel Tank Leak/Repair

[DracoP]

My 'bargain' runabout restoration project, a 1975 Draco 1700, has an aluminium fuel tank. It sits in the tank-well and is insulated from bumps by a fluid. Unfortunately, the fluid is petrol. I am about to take it out and am pretty convinced I will find that the aluminium is perforated on the bottom (I have eliminated other sources of leaks.). It is a small tank of around 18 gallons. The ball-park quote from the local fabricator in York is around £1k for a new tank in stainless steel. I have an indicative price from a specialist tank restoration company to coat it internally and externally in some form of US gunk which is then given a 3 year warranty. The cost is sub £400. The link is http://www.fuel-tank-renu.co.uk/pages/tanks.html.

Since I paid less than £1000 for the boat, I am inclined to take the cheaper option; but I would be very grateful for any thoughts/experiences on the product referred to and the price quoted for the new tank.

 

[Trundlebug]

See my reply on Mobo forum

 

[VicS]

£1k seems an awful lot for an 18 gallon tank . I think Id look a little further afield. A couple of places I could suggest in the Chichester area!

You might also consider a plastic tank from some one like Tek Tanks.

If the tank is not too badly corroded maybe something like POR15 from http://www.frost.co.uk/por15-fuel-tank-sealers.html would do the trick.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Could you adapt one of these. http://www.amazon.co.uk/LITRE-PETROL-DIESEL-JERRY-FLEXIBLE/dp/B001IZLINO

I have adapted a 10 lit plastic refueling can for my outboard

 

[macd]

£1K is bonkers money, especially for a material which is by no means the best for fuel tanks.
Tek-Tanks will do you an off-the-shelf plastic tank of around 70 litres (15 gal) for a little over £200. Even their custom tanks are miles cheaper than your stainless quote.

See: http://www.tek-tanks.com/tank-selection-guide-series-b-petrol/