fiberglass fuel tank??????

[phatmanmike]

is it possible? can you make one yourself, will it work, im not doing it, just curious?

 

[GraphicByNature]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

Hey Phat,<br /><br />I'm sure it can be done because fiberglass fuel tanks are common in aircraft, and I have seen them as part of the package on the bigger yachts.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

Mike, Custom motorcycle tanks were fiberglass years ago. I think some states outlawed them for safety reasons. (i.e. split open easier on impact) <br /><br />I cannot say I have heard of fiberglass boat gas tanks, however. I think the fiberglass may absorb gasoline, which may raise questions about safety.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

It works, but now there can be problems with alcohol in gasoline attacking the epoxy. I expect this is why you don't see it in small pleasure craft at all.<br />Diesel isn't a problem at all though.<br /><br /> West System tank building article.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

thanks

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

This guy did it then had to redo it after he used gas with ethanol in it b/c it started to eat away at the sealant he used. He replaced them with aluminum.<br /><br /> http://egyptian.net/~raymacke/ <br /><br />He gives good info about the whole issue.

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

Originally posted by phatmanmike:<br /> can you make one yourself, will it work,

One way to do it is to make the shape of the tank with the little ball type styrofoam, like a beer cooler is made from.<br /><br />Once you have the shape, just coat it with the epoxy & mat to get the thickness as you want.<br /><br />Cut the holes for your guage sender, outlet & fill tube.<br /><br />Pour gasoline in the tank and it will dissolve the styrofoam.<br /><br />Clean the mess out by rinsing it a couple times, and there's your tank.

 

[Realgun]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

One way to do it is to make the shape of the tank with the little ball type styrofoam, like a beer cooler is made from.

My beer cooler is kinda hard and says igloo on it.<br />Its to big to use as a fuel tank. Will gasoline really disolve it? <br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />J/K

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

Originally posted by Realgun:<br />

My beer cooler is kinda hard and says igloo on it.

10,000 comedians out of work ,,, and you're trying to be funny...........<br /><br /><br />I admire you bro......... <br /><br />I wish I too had brass balls so big and heavy that they drug on the ground. <br /><br />har, har, har,,,,,<br /><br /><br />Ed.<br /><br />Something I have to ask though is,,,,<br /><br />Why do you live in NM, and have a intrest in boating?<br /><br />I lived in the shadow of Sandia Crest when I was a kid, ('58-62) and only saw enough water to float the boats we made as kids out of 2 x 4's that we stole off the new housing projects, and built to look like WWII battle ships when the street flooded about 3 days a year.<br /><br />Living there,, I figure you'd be more interested in trying to see or find a 'horney toad', Julia Monster, a barrel cactus, or even a scorpion than getting involved boating type stuff.

 

[even125]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

I have been looking into it, polyester resin does a good job, some say that fibreglass tanks do the best job overall. No problem with ethanol (most underground gas tanks use polyester) but use the high grade/s poly, baffels etc<br />Go here:<br /><br /> http://www.practical-sailor.com/newspics/charts/8912byofiberglasstanks.pdf

 

[Buttanic]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

I had a 31 Bertram that had a fiberglass gas tank.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

Interesting reading! Thanks Even.

 

[kd6nem]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

Wouldn't aluminum be lighter?<br /><br />The only aircraft tanks of fiberglass I am aware of are in homebuilt aircraft. There is a fair amount of controversy about these, although choice of resin may play a major role in the controversy. The sealant Kreem has been lauded by some as the salvation of these tanks, despised by others. Personally, I think I'll try to avoid fiberglass as a fuel tank for either marine or aviation use.

 

[Clamboni]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

Aluminum would be lighter, but if you're fabricating a custom tank, it's expensive. Glass is easier to work with at home.

 

[Buttanic]

Re: fiberglass fuel tank??????

Years ago I saw a picture of a fire in a boat yard and one of the boats that burned was a Bertram with a fiberglass fuel tank. The only thing left of it was the fuel tank lying in a heap of ashes.