Long story short, I found a 1975 taylor ss barn find. Completely stock and in 9 of 10 condition.
problem is its been in boat storage since late 80's/early 90's with fuel in the factory fiberglass fuel tanks.
I drained all the fuel, but there is some black tar like substance that was floating around, and in my vacuum tank when I
removed all the old fuel.
I took and put 5 gallons of purple power in each tank and let it set all day, then flushed the tanks with water.

I know this will be an issue when the boat hits the water, my luck, so I'm trying to figure out a way to clean them properly.

If the boat wasn't so nice, I'd just pull them, but since it even has the factory fire extinguisher and original 70's tires on the trailer, I"d go a different route, but I'd sure like to keep them if at all possible.

thanks
chris

I'd sure replace those 70's tires too.

But save the air . . . nobody repops that stuff for sure!   

I just loaded them on this thread but the whole reply is missing, I'll try again.

fire in a boat is bad.  grab some aluminum tanks and cut out the fiberglass ones.  theres plenty of alum tanks floating around that can be had for fairly cheap.

if you have air, and water in the tanks id use a die grinder (with a cut off wheel) much cleaner!

Like everyone else has said, there's no sense in saving a fiberglass gas tank.  I replaced mine last year and it wasn't that bad, mine we not part off the boat but were tabbed into the gunnels with a few layers of glass holding them down.  I used a cut off wheel to catch the top few layers of glass without cutting through the hull bottom.  Finding tanks that fit your boat might be a pain but this should not be something that gets over looked.

Like everyone else has said, there's no sense in saving a fiberglass gas tank.  I replaced mine last year and it wasn't that bad, mine we not part off the boat but were tabbed into the gunnels with a few layers of glass holding them down.  I used a cut off wheel to catch the top few layers of glass without cutting through the hull bottom.  Finding tanks that fit your boat might be a pain but this should not be something that gets over looked.

I found fuel tank bladders that are just for this issue, I have a call into them. You just send them your measurements, and they can build a bladder to your spec, cut a hole in the top and drop it in, or cut the top off. i was really not wanting to blow a ton of money until I know it's mechanically sound.

I graduated in 86. The football stadium was old when I was there and I noticed they have done a lot of changes to the campus. i lived off 134th and western in eastlake estates, worked at foodworld bagging for first job then on to Hudiberg Chevy til I moved. I have been back about 3 years ago but didnt have time to look around. Even downtown OKC has changed. Good luck on the boat and I am going to have to do the same thing one of these days too.

got my measurements, here is what I need:

2 of each, 40 long by 10.5 tall and 7 inches wide.

the search begins.


anyone have an idea of what new ones cost?

well looks like this weekend they are getting cut out. I am having ksh marine in havasu build the tanks, after I get it all spec'd out for them.

now to figure out mounting of the tanks

well one side down, 1 to go. It wasn't really to bad, but my eyes and arms are on fire now!!!!
I used a dewalt corded 4" grinder with a cut off wheel, my cordless and air just didn't have it in them, but the electric one zipped right thru it.

glad you're doing this the right way and replacing with aluminum tanks.  ill keep my eyes open for a set.

next time you need to cut something fiberglass use one of these vibrating saw guys.  i have a craftsman one with a little vacuum attachment and theres no dust or scratching your eyeballs out.

I might run down to harbor freight and grab one of the cheapies to try, I'll just need it once, lol.
And yes, that fiberglass dust gets everywhere, I didn't think that dust would be that bad, good thing I had a face mask on.

so the million dollar question is,

since the boat is not flat in the back, how do you get the tank level and secure the new aluminum tank?
it will be a rectangular design.