Fire Hazzard?

[sasto]

My steel fuel tank is within a couple millimeters from the exhaust manifold. I guess it has been this way for along time. The boat was built in '74. A big chill went down my spine when I saw this. What do you think?

 

[rbh]

Re: Fire Hazzard?

That should not be a problem due to the water jacketing of the manifold.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Fire Hazzard?

Over 30 years gone by it must be ok. are you thinking about heat or chaffing?
Heck the fuel tank on my old outboard motor is also cowling, it wraps all around the motor.

 

[sasto]

Re: Fire Hazzard?

Over 30 years gone by it must be ok. are you thinking about heat or chaffing?

Heat, Eliminator. I agree with rbh.... but what if I had an overheat problem? The engine is original and the tank appears to be also.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Fire Hazzard?

I wouldnt sweat it.... But if you want to take me boatn' Im busy... LOL Seriousley though Look at other engines in you life lawn mowers, chain saws etc. somtimes the fuel tanks/lines are damn near bolted to the cylinders/ exhaust etc I would think it would take a MAJOR malfunction or impact to be any danger. Have you put your hand down ther while its running to feel temp. I would think if you have an overheat your engine is gonna stall etc b4 there is enough heat to ignite any gas... Just my 1 1/2 Cents

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Fire Hazzard?

The ignition temperature of gasoline is about 495? F. You could not conceivably get the tank or any portion of the tank that hot.

 

[sasto]

Re: Fire Hazzard?

A relief, thanks guys, going to worry no more. If anything can happen it will happen to me.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Fire Hazzard?

The amount of heat dissipation that you will get with the steel fuel tank and the gas inside (law of latent heat flow) will more than make up for the manifold being that close.

For peace of mind, though, you probably have enough room for a thermal layer to be slid between the two.

 

[sasto]

Re: Fire Hazzard?

I wouldn't mind the peace of mind. What would you use, Fireman?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Fire Hazzard?

Sasto, that oversize hose clamp and bulge near the barb fitting end of that hose would concern me more than the tank position.

 

[sasto]

Re: Fire Hazzard?

Sasto, that oversize hose clamp and bulge near the barb fitting end of that hose would concern me more than the tank position.

It does, but those are easily replaced. There are many oversized clamps on this boat, and even oversize hoses. The raw water hose from strainer was 1 1/4" hose clamped to a 1" hose clamped to another 1 1/4" hose. She is a restore project. Thanks for the concern, Eliminator.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Fire Hazzard?

I wouldn't mind the peace of mind. What would you use, Fireman?

If you are concerned about it, how about some ceramic heat tape or a thermal blanket in that area?

 

[sasto]

Re: Fire Hazzard?

Thanks Marlboro. I'm going to let it be. Never really worked on many boats of this size. That freaked me out. They crammed as much as you can get in a 23-footer.