Acess panel for fuel tank hose replacement. Do i need to cut floor?

[ChizelSpiel7]

I just bought a 1990 thompson cutlass 190 from a good friends neighbor. I dont no squat about boats. But it was a pretty good deal. Although i am finding out there is alot to boat maint required in general. The bellow kit has been ordered. The engine was under a bit of water, previous owner did not pull the bildge plug. Water did not get into oil, but surely messed up wires, starter and possibly alternator. So far removed starter and plugs. Shot some lube into cylinders and freed engine up. Now i need to replace fuel hoses while im looking for starter replacement or rebuild. There is a access panel for the fuel tank, But cannot reach screw driver to remove hoses. Fuel sending unit is to one side also. Looks to me like i have to pull carpet up and then cut the floor board to get to it. Anyone have any experience with these boats. If i do have to pull carpet up. I sure hope there is a pre cut piece of wood drilled in shape of gas tank. I'll take a picture of the access panel and surrounding area. I dont no if i can post pics or not yet as i just joined up. Thank hou for any assistance. And hello, all.

 

[Grub54891]

There might not be easy access to the tank,if there is a panel the size of the tank,it"s screwed down through the carpet. The screws get hidden down in the nap of the carpet.Poke around where you think they are. If ya can"t find screws,just install a deckplate in the spot needed. no need to rip up the carpet.

 

[ChizelSpiel7]

There might not be easy access to the tank,if there is a panel the size of the tank,it"s screwed down through the carpet. The screws get hidden down in the nap of the carpet.Poke around where you think they are. If ya can"t find screws,just install a deckplate in the spot needed. no need to rip up the carpet.

Ok. I will do that. I will use a magnet and see if that helps in finding the screws that go hopefully to a pre-cut panel underneath. If there isnt one. Maybe i'll cut a bigger hole around the exsisting hole and maybe tie hose to existing hose and snake it through? I have access to cnc machine and can have piece of aluminum cut out to the new diameter. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Grub54891]

Ok. I will do that. I will use a magnet and see if that helps in finding the screws that go hopefully to a pre-cut panel underneath. If there isnt one. Maybe i'll cut a bigger hole around the exsisting hole and maybe tie hose to existing hose and snake it through? I have access to cnc machine and can have piece of aluminum cut out to the new diameter. Thanks for the advice.

the screws are more than likely stainless,not magnetic.

 

[WOEISMEIGOTTA470]

"... I sure hope there is a pre cut piece of wood drilled in shape of gas tank."

Welcome ChizelSpiel7, I have a slightly older Thompson, an '87 198 cuddy. On mine, I also had a carpeted floor, and no, there was no pre-cut tank floor section. The floor was solid and I needed to carefully cut it out with a skill saw inside of the stringers to remove the tank. I needed to replace my entire floor anyway so didn't matter much to me. The boat did have a small 10" square plastic access panel to at least access the tank sender and fuel connections. Unlike some other boats I see, Thompson ran the fuel lines under the floor and through the port side stringer. I was able to tape the new lines (using a good bit of gorilla duct tape) to the old, and fish the new lines through by pulling on the old lines. Hope this helps.

pics:
original floor

I eventually ended up creating my own tank floor section:

Also I built up a raised portion around fuel fill area to keep water out, I'm a bit shocked that the manufacturer just left a hole in the deck open for water to drain right in!

Post up some pics when you get a chance, interested to see how your 1990 may differ

 

[ChizelSpiel7]

No Title

I cut out the access hole to gas tank today. I machined a new cover for it, 13.5". The original access hole was 6", now its 11". I can now get a screwdriver to remove and replace gas line to motor, as it was cracked. The big hose is the fill hose line and the other i'm assuming is a breather line. Those hoses dont look great, but i dont believe they are leaking. I dont see how the heck i would replace those hoses without tearing the hole floor apart if they do leak. I dont smell fuel vapors. I don't no if i have enough space to remove fuel sending unit if i had to replace it. hopefully still works. Have not received starter yet and need to get a new battery. Here's a few pics.

 

[WOEISMEIGOTTA470]

Nice, I like that cover you made, fancy! You may find that once you get those old lines off of the tank fittings, that the hoses will slide under the deck easier than you think. Like I said, I was able to run new lines without needing to rip up my floor. You will need to tape the new lines to the old really well in order to snake them through. I'd pull a new ground wire as well for tank to fuel filler neck grounding while you're at it. If the hole in the floor is too small where the lines come up, you may need to relief cut it a bit larger to make it easier pulling the lines thru. You can always patch over the cut-out floor section when finished with a small piece of plywood and/or fiberglass. Good luck.