My '87 H31 has the original poly tank, and I want to install both a fuel level sender and an inspection port - it has neither. Other than a regular plastic inspection port, I haven't found anything suitable. Does anyone know where I can find a decent inspection port to install on the top of my tank? If possible, I'd like it to be metal, so I can mount the sender in the middle of it, and only cut one hole in the tank. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Fuel tank inspection port
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Some will freak out, but
I cut a hole in the top of the fuel tank of my H 34 8 years ago, because I had a bad case of crap in the fuel. I made the hole large enough to put my hand and arm thru so as I could completely clean the tank. For a cover I bought a piece if plexiglass 1/4" thick, clear so I could inspect the fuel. I fastened with 4 self tapping screws on each side of the cut out. I drilled an exact copy of the cover, as I was sure the cover would cloud up or somehow become un useable. I sealed the lid to the tank with a Permatex fuel safe sealant. Last summer I removed the lid and checked the condition, I found the plexi to be in the same condition as when I installed it, I re sealed and re installed it. The only change I would make is I would make the hole round rather than square to reduce any stress at the corners.
I cut a hole in the top of the fuel tank of my H 34 8 years ago, because I had a bad case of crap in the fuel. I made the hole large enough to put my hand and arm thru so as I could completely clean the tank. For a cover I bought a piece if plexiglass 1/4" thick, clear so I could inspect the fuel. I fastened with 4 self tapping screws on each side of the cut out. I drilled an exact copy of the cover, as I was sure the cover would cloud up or somehow become un useable. I sealed the lid to the tank with a Permatex fuel safe sealant. Last summer I removed the lid and checked the condition, I found the plexi to be in the same condition as when I installed it, I re sealed and re installed it. The only change I would make is I would make the hole round rather than square to reduce any stress at the corners.
I found a ton of crap
In the pick up tube last year and was faced with the same situation that I could not see into the tank and it was easy to replace the tank so for 150.00 I bought a Tempo tank with a sending unit already installed and I was able to increase my fuel tank to 24 gals. without giving up space. I use a filter when fueling so I'm not to concerned with crap getting in there again.
In the pick up tube last year and was faced with the same situation that I could not see into the tank and it was easy to replace the tank so for 150.00 I bought a Tempo tank with a sending unit already installed and I was able to increase my fuel tank to 24 gals. without giving up space. I use a filter when fueling so I'm not to concerned with crap getting in there again.
I bought...
a Seabuilt stainless acesss port from the company Bill has provided a link to. It will be installed in the near future in the poly tank on my H34. It is a very well made product. Seabuilt makes them for commercial applications. They're not cheap, but I don't want to fool with lesser alternatives (no offense to Fred F.--I think he used a Beckson item) for safety reasons.
a Seabuilt stainless acesss port from the company Bill has provided a link to. It will be installed in the near future in the poly tank on my H34. It is a very well made product. Seabuilt makes them for commercial applications. They're not cheap, but I don't want to fool with lesser alternatives (no offense to Fred F.--I think he used a Beckson item) for safety reasons.
Thanks for the suggestions, guys....
I like the Seabuilt access port, but it costs a bundle! I'm also not sure I can fit my forearm into a 4" hole, and I don't really want to pay a bunch more for a larger one. Too bad there isn't a cheaper version available.
New tank? I hadn't thought about that, and of course I already bought the sender. I'm not sure what to do - we had some problems early last year with losing power, and a couple times the engine cut out completely while motoring into medium heavy seas, so I'm assuming I have gunk in the tank that's getting picked up when it gets bounced around enough. Unless I can convince myself I should spend the money on the Seabuilt port, I think I'll find a fuel polisher to drain and clean the tank (I'll have to get that done anyway, maybe the polisher will give me a break if I let him keep the diesel) and then take a look inside through the fill port and see if it's necessary to install the inspection port. Anyway, thanks again for the suggestions. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
I like the Seabuilt access port, but it costs a bundle! I'm also not sure I can fit my forearm into a 4" hole, and I don't really want to pay a bunch more for a larger one. Too bad there isn't a cheaper version available.
New tank? I hadn't thought about that, and of course I already bought the sender. I'm not sure what to do - we had some problems early last year with losing power, and a couple times the engine cut out completely while motoring into medium heavy seas, so I'm assuming I have gunk in the tank that's getting picked up when it gets bounced around enough. Unless I can convince myself I should spend the money on the Seabuilt port, I think I'll find a fuel polisher to drain and clean the tank (I'll have to get that done anyway, maybe the polisher will give me a break if I let him keep the diesel) and then take a look inside through the fill port and see if it's necessary to install the inspection port. Anyway, thanks again for the suggestions. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Bob...
I built a fuel polisher to clean up the fuel in my tank after having a new filter clog quickly and encountering similar problems to yours. Polishing the fuel did work well. However, after much discussion with others about what junk had been found in their tanks, and a commentary in Practical Sailor about the need to clean out the tank, I bit the bullet on the SeaBuilt port, buying the 8 inch one so I could get my arm and cleaning materials through the 6 inch hole it provides. I believe the peace of mind will be well worth the investment as the tank is over 20 years old and has never been cleaned out.
I built a fuel polisher to clean up the fuel in my tank after having a new filter clog quickly and encountering similar problems to yours. Polishing the fuel did work well. However, after much discussion with others about what junk had been found in their tanks, and a commentary in Practical Sailor about the need to clean out the tank, I bit the bullet on the SeaBuilt port, buying the 8 inch one so I could get my arm and cleaning materials through the 6 inch hole it provides. I believe the peace of mind will be well worth the investment as the tank is over 20 years old and has never been cleaned out.
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