Gasoline transfer pump

[nemosuit]

Okay, it's really not for my boat, but it's for the forklift that's going to lift my boat off the trailer.

Tank on the old forklift is full of crud and I'm looking for an efficient transfer pump that can handle gasoline. Want to pump as much out of the tank as possible: even that last little bit that siphoning just won't get.

Does anybody make something like this for boats that you guys have experience with? I heard West Marine has one, but haven't found out for sure yet.

I just put a rebuilt carburetor on the forklift, and don't want to run contaminated fuel through it. I can rig an external tank to run it long enough to do the boat job; but I want to clean the onboard tank, too. (Also have to do the same to my '73 Corvette that's been sitting in the garage for years.)

Any help with a good source for an efficient yet reasonably priced fuel transfer pump?

As always, thanks in advance.

VBR,

Pat

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I had this problem before.

We just went to the local auto parts store and bought a ~$25 puralator fuel pump, and some long fuel hose and 12v connectors. worked fine. we just sealed the electrical connectors w/ liquid electric tape (plastic dip) so there were no sparks.

good luck!

 

[Sumner]

If the tanks are bad I'd question if you are going to just be able to pump them and then clean them in position? I added....

...a sump to my tank for my Street Rod for an external electric fuel pump and ...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/turbo motor/TM-page-3.html

...reconditioned the tank with a kit for Eastwood. The tank prior to welding the sump in was in good shape, but still it was a job going through the whole procedure. I needed to use this tank as it fit the truck, but in hindsight I probably should of just ordered another Camaro tank like it for $150 and welded the sump to it.

For the fork lift how about using you portable fuel tank that came with the new outboard and put a quick disconnect on the fork lift and you could use the boat one on the boat or fork lift and on the Corvette you could find a new tank for under $250. Maybe the way to go there?

Good luck,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[nemosuit]

I had this problem before.

We just went to the local auto parts store and bought a ~$25 puralator fuel pump, and some long fuel hose and 12v connectors. worked fine. we just sealed the electrical connectors w/ liquid electric tape (plastic dip) so there were no sparks.

good luck!

Thanks Mr. Bill!

Just bought one on eBay. :dance:

VBR,

Pat

 

[timebandit]

Be sure to put a fuel filter BEFORE the pump.

 

[nemosuit]

Thanks Guys,

I'll try to hit the replies i missed here...

Sum,

The sump is a great idea. I had already budgeted to replace the tank in the 'Vette if I have to drop the old one for service; but alternatives are always good.

The way the tank is built, I think I can pour about ten gallons of non-ethanol gas in; move it around with a suitable brush through that nice "racing style" filler cap at the top center of the tank; let the sediment settle; and then suck out the crud with the pump we have on order.

Then I can put in some more fuel, and will see what drains out the bottom. If I have to pull the tank, I'm just going to replace it. It's pretty cruddy inside.

About the same with the forklift tank; except if i have to pull it, I'll just do the best job of cleaning i can do and reinstall it.

I considered adapting the Tohatsu fuel tank, but it's got some nice "snap on" lines I'd either have to cut or make an adaptor for. Don't want to mess with that.

Now I'm kicking myself for throwing out that Harley Sportster tank I had laying around the shop for decades.

Last week I decided the cheapest temporary solution was to buy a square, one gallon can of lacquer thinner (which I needed anyway); transfer the fluid to another container; clean the can adequately; install a hose barb in the bottom by soldering in a piece of sheet metal; and hanging it as a "gravity feed" tank from the forklift's safety cage. (Rubber line from the hose barb to the fuel pump worked fine when the "tank" was a large plastic funnel duct-taped the cage for initial tests on the carburetor.) So I figure when I get the "can tank" soldered up it will be safer and provide more fuel for short term operations like getting the boat off the trailer. Still mean to clean the onboard tank eventually, though.

And TB: Oh yeah! I've got about a half dozen of those little clear plastic, paper insert, fuel filters from the car parts store. I'll really be keeping an eye on it to protect my new carburetor.

Thanks for the tips, guys! The work (fun) goes on! :dance:

VBR,

Past

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I also used Pennies in the tank to help dislodge the rust.

-just count your pennies in and out...

welding fuel tanks are for the adventurists!

 

[timebandit]

Ya know you can buy a hose with a pump bulb and a fitting to fit your o/b gas tank at Walmart.

The tank mounted high you can gravity feed to the carb and bypass the fuel pump (also will work on outboard motor to get you home if pump goes out).

You would then have an extra for your boat.

 

[Sumner]

.....welding fuel tanks are for the adventurists!

I've welded quite a few tanks after I've purged them, but still I usually had them around the corner of the building and would put something on fire around the corner. I never had one go off and usually filled them with water almost to where I was welding on them, but still I never liked it.

This time I took the tank down to the welding shop and for $40 or $50 they purged it for me and I felt a lot better welding on it.

Another guy and I had a Honda/Suzuki/Norton shop in the late 60's in Alton, Ill. A guy in a 'car' shop near us was killed when a tank explode when he was welding in an exhaust system. They are nothing to mess with.

Pat I welded the sump in the truck tank as I want to convert from carb to EFI eventually. The pump, with....

....filters on both sides will supply the pressure/gas for over 700 HP and the ....

...regulator works with the carb now and with a spring change in it will then boost the pressure up to what the EFI needs. When you get to the vette are you going to go EFI, maybe a LS motor? That would be my next motor when the time comes,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, daho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[nemosuit]

I've welded quite a few tanks after I've purged them, but still I usually had them around the corner of the building and would put something on fire around the corner. I never had one go off and usually filled them with water almost to where I was welding on them, but still I never liked it.

This time I took the tank down to the welding shop and for $40 or $50 they purged it for me and I felt a lot better welding on it.

Another guy and I had a Honda/Suzuki/Norton shop in the late 60's in Alton, Ill. A guy in a 'car' shop near us was killed when a tank explode when he was welding in an exhaust system. They are nothing to mess with.

Pat I welded the sump in the truck tank as I want to convert from carb to EFI eventually. The pump, with....

....filters on both sides will supply the pressure/gas for over 700 HP and the ....

...regulator works with the carb now and with a spring change in it will then boost the pressure up to what the EFI needs. When you get to the vette are you going to go EFI, maybe a LS motor? That would be my next motor when the time comes,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, daho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

You do really good work, m'friend! I've seen your stainless projects and I gotta admit you're better than I am.

Honestly: welding on gas tanks scares the hojees out of me.

But I really like what you've done there. Good stuff!

VBR,

Pat

P.S. No EFI. The 'Vette is a bone stock '73 454 with the Holley option instead of the Quadrajet. But even so, the fuel system from tank to carb is a plumber's nightmare with beau coup hoses, a carbon filter, and more. It's going to take some figuring out, but I want to stay stock because right now everything except the aluminum rocker arm covers and mag wheels are OEM; all the numbers match, etc. I won't be racing her; just want to get her back as close as possible to what God intended.