Does anybody know if the 20 gallon aluminum fuel tank in a 1982 Hunter 33 has a BAFFLE(s)? I am planning on installing a cleanout. Thanks, David
Fuel Tank baffles
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You should be able to tell from looking at the top
If you look at the top surface, there should be a very slight indentation along the center where the baffle is welded to the top and bottom surface. If you can't quite tell, put a straight edge to it. I didn't look too carefully before I tried to install an inspection port on my holding tank, and ended up being right on top of the baffle. It was a lot of work to cut away part of the baffle to install the bottom plate of the inspection port.
If you look at the top surface, there should be a very slight indentation along the center where the baffle is welded to the top and bottom surface. If you can't quite tell, put a straight edge to it. I didn't look too carefully before I tried to install an inspection port on my holding tank, and ended up being right on top of the baffle. It was a lot of work to cut away part of the baffle to install the bottom plate of the inspection port.
Another way, cut two.
The H37C has a baffle and I knew where it was. But I cannot recall being able to detect it from the outside. I do not think it is welded to the top, only the sides and the bottom. But I did not concern myself with it since I knew I wanted two cutouts. I cut one over the lowest part of the tank where the pickup tube is located. I wanted to be able to clean that area every season. From that cutout I could determine where the baffle was located and, thus, where to position the second cleanout port. I cut aluminum one inch greater in diameter than the hole(9") and drilled and tapped for about twelve bolts. I seal with Permatex on a homemade cork gasket. My 1979 tank was surprisingly clean. There was no screen on the pickup tube. There was a little gunk in that corner.
The H37C has a baffle and I knew where it was. But I cannot recall being able to detect it from the outside. I do not think it is welded to the top, only the sides and the bottom. But I did not concern myself with it since I knew I wanted two cutouts. I cut one over the lowest part of the tank where the pickup tube is located. I wanted to be able to clean that area every season. From that cutout I could determine where the baffle was located and, thus, where to position the second cleanout port. I cut aluminum one inch greater in diameter than the hole(9") and drilled and tapped for about twelve bolts. I seal with Permatex on a homemade cork gasket. My 1979 tank was surprisingly clean. There was no screen on the pickup tube. There was a little gunk in that corner.
Tank construction
Several years ago i was employed in the electronic sheet metal trade.Being a job shop we often took on fuel and water tanks.Also for short period worked for a tank supplier to Hunter. Most tanks are made the same way,two u shaped formed up pieces,bottom one is bottom plus two sides.to this is tack welded the baffle.Other u 4is inverted over this and contains top plus two ends,no way to tack baffle to this when in place so there will be no sign of baffle on top surface when done. I said most as there are exceptions when the wrapper[top, bottom, both sides] are one piece and two ends and baffle are added.that would show baffle on top.This type wrapper is harder to form so rarely used.
Several years ago i was employed in the electronic sheet metal trade.Being a job shop we often took on fuel and water tanks.Also for short period worked for a tank supplier to Hunter. Most tanks are made the same way,two u shaped formed up pieces,bottom one is bottom plus two sides.to this is tack welded the baffle.Other u 4is inverted over this and contains top plus two ends,no way to tack baffle to this when in place so there will be no sign of baffle on top surface when done. I said most as there are exceptions when the wrapper[top, bottom, both sides] are one piece and two ends and baffle are added.that would show baffle on top.This type wrapper is harder to form so rarely used.
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