Water Tanks!

[Despacio]

Final report:
It seems that the MicroSeal worked, after many recoats. The tank is full and the outside is dry.

I'm going to leave it for a while before buttoning it up to make sure. If it shows moisture on the outside, I will apply more coats, but it looks good.

In terms of man hours it was about the same as replacing the tank, but, since the tank is far too big to remove and install a new one, this was easier and cheaper as no new tank needed to be made.

I believe I have changed my mind about replacing tanks. If I could go back to when my fuel tank was leaking I'd try MicroSeal before replacing the tank. For water, there's no question that sealing the tank is a better choice.

I found that the method of applying the MicroSeal is to use a spray bottle to get it into the edges. A brush can't get in there and filling the tank would be too expensive.

[seblyte]

Hi, I just cut out my old tanks and had new plastic ones made.

It's worth doing and not that expensive. I got a good scrap price for the steel as well.

[bccanucker]

On my previous boat one of the diesel tanks started leaking anf it was going to be a $20,000. repair. (tank would have to be removed out the side of the boat) I found this company www.thortex.com and its metal-Tech EG and it cost me $2,000. parts and laborand that included the second tank which started leaking when the first was fixed.
This company not really known in the marine business. They deal mostly with large tanks at pulp and paer mills, hospitals, etc. Great company and super people to deal with.

[Despacio]

Here I am two years later, and the sealed water tank is dry as can be.

Do not replace a leaking water tank, seal it!

[jcollins]

Here I am two years later, and the sealed water tank is dry as can be.

Do not replace a leaking water tank, seal it!

Marty,
Thanks for following up with the good news.

[seblyte]

Hi if anybody is interested I have filmed the complete removal and replacement of the fuel and water tanks on my 36 classic. Also I've just finished the removal and installation of new windows. A truly awful job but got loads of experience and a big pile of beautiful teak which I reclaimed from the scrap window frames.

[Despacio]

I think we all would like to see the videos. Could you post them to Youtube?

Thanks

[bccanucker]

Here is the link to the thread I wrote about my tank repair. I highly recommend this company and its products. Here's what I wrote
On my previous boat one of the diesel tanks started leaking and it was going to be a $20,000. repair. (tank would have to be removed out the side of the boat) I found this company www.thortex.com and its metal-Tech EG and it cost me $2,000. parts and laborand that included the second tank which started leaking when the first was fixed.
This company not really known in the marine business. They deal mostly with large tanks at pulp and paper mills, hospitals, etc. Great company and super people to deal with.

[Despacio]

Here is the link to the thread I wrote about my tank repair. I highly recommend this company and its products. Here's what I wrote
On my previous boat one of the diesel tanks started leaking and it was going to be a $20,000. repair. (tank would have to be removed out the side of the boat) I found this company http://www.thortex.com and its metal-Tech EG and it cost me $2,000. parts and laborand that included the second tank which started leaking when the first was fixed.
This company not really known in the marine business. They deal mostly with large tanks at pulp and paper mills, hospitals, etc. Great company and super people to deal with.

Tanks would be cut up in place and removed in pieces. Although I know someone who actually had their engine pulled to remove theirs (the hard way to do it, in my opinion.) My new fuel tanks are modular and go through the available space in front of the engine, and thus are removable.

I did a lot of reading about city water tanks, lots of them were built in the 1800's, and they didn't start welding them until WWII. Tanks are sealed all the time. Microseal did the job for me at a total cost of $35. And I had a lot left over.

My fuel tanks cost about $3,000 for four, two per side, and a lot of work.

We all enjoy watching a project we did, done by someone else.

[jleonard]

Although I know someone who actually had their engine pulled to remove theirs (totally a dumb way to do it.)
My fuel tanks cost about $3,000 for four, two per side, and a lot of work.
.

I don't think pulling the engine is a dumb way to replace the tanks. That IS the method I think I would use. Pulling the engine has definate advantages (plus its not so hard to do). I would get to seal all leaks, paint the engine well, clean up the nasties in the bilge, etc., to name a few.
Plus there would be room to really make nice tank beds, add storage, etc.

[bccanucker]

Jay: Re above, I don't think bccanucker wrote that pulling engines was dumb.

[jleonard]

Jay: Re above, I don't think bccanucker wrote that pulling engines was dumb.

Oh. OK.
I just wanted to express another opinion. I remember that when I repowered my old Mainship, I did tons of stuff when the engine was out. Stuff that could not easily be done with the engine in place.

I think there are several ways to skin that cat. Hopefully I will never have to face that job.

[Despacio]

I meant that removing the engine was the hard way to do it, and maybe even counter productive in the big picture.

Making the new ones go through the available opening makes taking them out for a variety of reasons possible, and that Ford Lehman will be running, exactly as is, for the foreseeable future.

Removing my fuel tanks can be done in a day with no real expense.