Okay here goes, I have gotten two quote's on a new 75 gallon aluminum tank and Wow this is not going to be cheap.700 to 900$ I looked in the tank and is speckled with rust, my question is, is there any way I can clean the tank without removal? If so what do I need to use? I have water separators and inline filters before the carbs. Whats the worst case scenario? filters clog and engine stall? I am going to replace it but would like to get a year out of it if possible.
Rob

I bought a 1974 SAAB Sonnett a couple years ago and the gas tank was totally messed up. I pulled the tank, took out the sending unit and dumped probably two gallons of sludge and stuff that looked like white paint chips out.. Then I washed it out with my hose, threw a bunch of nuts an bolts in it and sloshed it around, banged on the sides with a rubber mallet, and washed it out again. I repeated this until not another speck of crap came out. Then I took it to a self serve car wash and blasted it out with high pressure water and soap for about ten minutes. Took it home, plugged a hair dryer in and let it run in the big hole for like a half hour or forty five minutes.. Then I took a torch and heated it up all over an watched whatever remaining water there was evaporate. Reinstalled and never had another issue. So how to do this on a Marinette without pulling the tank.. The first thing is how to drain it completely and get all the crap out before you start flushing it with water.. I don't think there is a 3 or 4 inch fitting on the bottom side to remove and drain is there? If you could, then I would get a snake like you use to clean a floor drain and put it in through the top, like at the gas gauge opening..It does come out, doesn't it? Then put the snake in there and just let it rattle around in there and flush it with water, and repeat till nothing else came out. Then just dry the crap out of it. Hair dryer, block heater, what ever I could fit in there to heat it up.. That's my theory.. But you have to get all the gas and crap out and start flushing with water or you'll have a big bang theory on your hands..And face.. And everyone else in the marinas hands and face.. Probably better to pull it.

$700-900 may not be cheap, but piece of mind is priceless...

Norm,
I understand and agree. Jeff had told me this early on when I had asked this question prior to me getting prices.
I will go the route of a new tank and remove the old one tomorrow. I might have to stop drinking beer so I can afford all these projects I have to complete.
Thanks,
Rob

You might check this out:

http://nashville.craigsl....org/boa/1638142042.html

Most marine insurance companies will refuse to insure a boat with steel tanks that old.
My brother in law had to replace his tank on a '77 F-32 Trojan last year before his carrier would renew his policy.
Check e-bay. From time to time they have great deals on fuel tanks from boat builders who are either hybernating or out of business.

I agree with Doug about Flounder Pounder. I've purchased a few things from them and had very good experiences.

p.s. Here's a link to the Coast Guard regulations covering fuel systems: http://law.justia.com/us...33/33-2.0.1.8.44.10.html

Update,
I was able to remove the old tank today. It was very close but I didn't have to cut any of the bracing.Ya
I am planning on having the new tank the same dimensions but I might shorten it a little. I might drop the size to eighty gallons. I also shopped vac the entire engine room, wow all kinds of stuff in there leaves, nuts bolts zip ties a shoe and more. Lol
I will keep you guys posted on my progress.
Thanks,
Rob

You might want to get a quote from http://sptanks.com/