Fuel tank vent connector repair

[pascoea]

Afternoon, fellow boaters! I have a dilemma I'd like to get some input on. Working on restoring/repairing/upgrading a 1984 Blue Fin 16' aluminum. I just picked up a used poly fuel tank off craigslist. It's an older version of this guy: http://www.moellermarine.com/moelle...n-permanent-below-deck-boat-fuel-tank-032612/ except the older version has a molded nipple for the vent hose, and the dude apparently thought it was a good idea to cut 75% of it off...

Any idea where I could find a connector similar to the one on the tank in the link? Or any other suggestions for repairing/replacing? Really my only option is to cut the rest of the nipple off flush with the tank then add some sort of flange. I've done some basic searching and have come up blank, save for something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Joywayus-Con...ocphy=9019570&hvtargid=pla-527971646526&psc=1

Thanks!
-Adam

 

[Chris1956]

That tank has a hose barb for a vent fitting. I would replace it with the same. Does the old fitting unscrew from the tank? if so, it is easy to replace.

On my newer Moeller plastic tank, I needed to switch the fuel pickup and vent fittings. I ended up drilling out the old pickup fitting and the vent fitting and threading the tank to accept the fuel fitting. I think I used a washer and brass nut to reattach the vent fitting. I could reach into the tank via the fuel sender mounting hose to tighten the but.

You will obviously need to see how the tank is constructed. It is best to reuse any metal liners of fittings the tank has for vent and fuel pickup, as those are molded into the tank, so they don't leak.

 

[cptbill]

Like Chris 1956 said use a hose barb best would be brass or plastic just be careful that you use washers that won't deteriorate in a fuel environment

 

[pascoea]

Here's what it looks like now. I guess I could just drill out what's there and tap a brass or aluminum nipple in. Or on my second look today, seems like there is almost enough there to just clamp a hose on...

 

[ahicks]

Maybe see if you could locate a brass barb fitting that would be a good fit when inserted into the ID of the tank vent?

 

[robert graham]

Here's what it looks like now. I guess I could just drill out what's there and tap a brass or aluminum nipple in. Or on my second look today, seems like there is almost enough there to just clamp a hose on...

I agree, looks like enough there to clamp a vent hose onto it......

 

[GA_Boater]

I agree, looks like enough there to clamp a vent hose onto it......

Sure won't hurt to try. A vent has no pressure or vacuum, so it isn't as critical as the filler or fuel connections. I think you'll be good though. Keep an eye on it looking for gas seepage from gas sloshing.

 

[Chris1956]

See if a piece of copper pipe would fit snugly inside the stub. If so, use some epoxy on it to hold it. Put one clamp on the copper pipe and another on the plastic.