1973 SRV 240 Repower/Restoration. Moving Forward Again.

Don't know how it works in the States but up here there are fabricating shops that are specifically licensed for the marine industry. After several attempts at getting our own (commercial transport) fabricating shop to repair two rusted gas tanks I ended up biting the bullet and taking them to the specialty shop. They have a computer program that draws the plans for the original tanks based on pictures and measurements. As I was in the middle of a restoration and not in a hurry they gave me a really good deal by using my project as a filler to keep someone busy instead of sending them home on a quiet day. It ended up taking 6 weeks to get the tanks made but it only cost $250.00 and a case o' Bud. And the new ones were made of aluminum too, lighter and less prone to rust. Good luck an' keep up the good work.
 
A quick look online showed some promise. I found a place in NJ that will give you an online quote with the measurements you supply. I am out there often enough with the Peterbilt to avoid the shipping costs. But I still want to let the local guy take a look and see what can be done here.
But to be honest the old tank looks like total junk and not repairable.
I'll take more pics today once I get it out. My neighbor said he will help me lift it out and into the pick up truck.
 
Update for now. Today Charlene, our neighbor Jake and I removed the gas tank off of the stilts and into the back of my Ford truck.



Today I dropped it off at Pickerts Radiator here in town. They will look at it and I'm sure tell me she's junk. I'm not sure if they can make a new one. I will speak to them Monday. I submitted a quote from these guys in NJ. http://www.speedytanks.com/index.html Hopefully they will be reasonable. I asked for a price on an aluminum tank.

Here are some pictures of the bottom of the tank.





The Ford's clutch will have to wait. There just isn't enough time today to get it done. I have to be 300 miles away by morning so today will be an early one. I still have to put the boat back inside the shop, then vacuume up inside. Pack up then roll out. But this was a short weekend and I got plenty done so I am happy.
 
Good work for a short weekend! How does the inside of the tank look to you?
 
I never looked. I'm sure with old gas sitting in it since 1997 I bet very bad.
 
In Egg Harbor NJ is a company called Hubert Stollenwerk (SP?), they build tanks for Egg Harbor and Ocean Yachts. They built a custom tank for my last boat. USCG certified, aluminum tank, extra heavy gauge. Take the old one to them and they will duplicate it, modifiy it, anything you want. Price was reasonable too. They Awlgripped my tank for me too. You may have some boat tank makers in your area too, a web search should help you find them.

That old Ray Jeff was built in Phila. back in the day. I think its probablly only a 23 channel unit so it wouldn't be very useful today even if it still worked.
There were a lot of marine electronics and boat builders in the MD and PA area back in the 60's and '70's. Goldberg's marine catalog, (before WM) was THE big mail order boat supply company. I think my dad got his Ray Jeff flasher depth finder and Pearce Simpson marine radio telephone (complete with telephone handset) thru the Goldberg company.
 
Ok, last update today. Before we leave for work again, we vacuumed up the boat again and removed what we could of the stryofoam gas tank padding. I also found a few interesting things as well. This tank has been out before I do believe.

The stryofoam pieces that I can pry off the stringers and floor.



The stryofoam was on the sides and is still on the bottom.



It is waterlogged and frozen. Hard as a rock.











Here is what I find odd and is what leads me to think thistank has been out once before. First of all gthere is no water relief channel in the stryofoam under the tank. How does the water get out when the bilge has some water I it which it inevitably does.
Second, there was a bulkhead between the gas tank and engine. It was cut out. This is the same in the front of the gas tank too. The tank must have been removed to make these cuts and the crappy glass work was to keep the water from under the tank from getting into the cabin. Never mind tthe fuel vapor aspect of things.

The missing bulkhead locations in front of the engine.





That's it people. Now off to work I must go. :smt089
 
Another option for comparing fuel tank quotes: http://www.kehrigmetalfab.com
This is who we used with our offshore race boat - reasonable and a bit closer to home for you, North side of Detroit.
 
Very good. Thanks much. I saved the Web site in my phone for when I go and get a quote on a new one.
 
As expected the tank is junk, or at least not worth the money. It was removed once before to coat the inside. A repair that didn't hold up. I got a quote from a place in NJ for about $780.00 for a new aluminum tank. The shop local to me is getting a quote for me today or tomorrow for a new aluminum tank as well.
 
Steve, I just did a really quick search of the WM site and it looks like they've got under floor fuel tanks starting at $475.00, Gotta go, the Oger is coming down the hall!!
 
Yes, I have been looking. This tank is the biggest the space will allow. It is very long and wide. And as tall as it can be. Holds 70 gallons. I want to keep it the same size. If anything I would like to add more size to it but the space won't permit that.
 
Pickerts Radiator here in Fond Du Lac Wisconsin called me today with a price on an aluminum tank built right here in shop. $800.00. That is good since the other places I have quotes from are about the same. My tank is not an emergency thing for the shop to rush so she may be a bit cheaper if they can work me around priority work. The pieces will be custom cut by water jet and sent here. TIG welded in house. 2 baffles. We are also adding lifting lugs to the 4 corners to assist in the potential removal if ever. This way the bulkhead can stay in and the tank be lifted without prying on the bottom.
She should be ready in 2-3 weeks. These guys sold me the 4 core radiator for my 77 Ford Motorhome. They are known around here for good work.
 
Nice work! Hopefully you won't run into too many more surprises and the worst is behind you.
 
jitts3 said:
Pickerts Radiator here in Fond Du Lac Wisconsin called me today with a price on an aluminum tank built right here in shop. $800.00. That is good since the other places I have quotes from are about the same. My tank is not an emergency thing for the shop to rush so she may be a bit cheaper if they can work me around priority work. The pieces will be custom cut by water jet and sent here. TIG welded in house. 2 baffles. We are also adding lifting lugs to the 4 corners to assist in the potential removal if ever. This way the bulkhead can stay in and the tank be lifted without prying on the bottom.
She should be ready in 2-3 weeks. These guys sold me the 4 core radiator for my 77 Ford Motorhome. They are known around here for good work.
Click to expand...

Glad you found someone close to home.
Water-jetting is a great tool with aluminum. We use it in-house all the time with our aircraft assembly tooling.
Cost wise it would be a good opportunity to get any other custom aluminum pieces cut during the tank fab if you need them.
 
I picked up my new gas tank last week. Custom built by Pickerts Radiator in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. The only thing different besides having it made out of aluminum is 4 lifting lugs. The tank is supposed to have a bulkhead in front of it and behind it. The lifting lugs would allow the tank to be lifted from the top without removing either bulkhead to get a bar underneath it.
I have been way to busy getting trucking done and shop work on my pick up trucks paint job to get the boat in. But hopefully when I get some more work done, I can start up on it again.
 
Its amazing how time goes by- always seems as though there is not enough time to get done what needs to be done, much less for the things we want to do. You'll get there, we're cheering for ya'
 
Steve,

Saw a yellow Pete in the lumber yard today an' thought of you guys,. How's the project goin'? Haven't heard from ya in a while:huh:
 
Just an update on the Old Boat. Summer came and went and got busy with kid stuff. We think we will be moving into yet a bigger shop and a heated one. This way I can work in the heat thru the winter. I have to get my sons car done first. But once I'm done with that I plan on getting back on the Sea Ray.

Edit 11/29/14 Signing the lease today for the new, bigger, heated shop. Move in is 1/1/15. Closer to Green Bay and the Fox River system.
 
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