84 Scarab Renovation (ongoing) - Page 3

502ss · 06-17-2008, 04:30 PM

Removal of the foam

Kims · 06-17-2008, 04:42 PM

How are you going to fasten the new tank? I just did this job and after contacting an engineer at wellcraft the full foam idea got tossed out. I bought a new tank from IMCO and installed it in accordance with the wellcraft engineers description - works like a champ!

502ss · 06-17-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kims

How are you going to fasten the new tank? I just did this job and after contacting an engineer at wellcraft the full foam idea got tossed out. I bought a new tank from IMCO and installed it in accordance with the wellcraft engineers description - works like a champ!

Well don't leave me hanging in suspense! What is "in accordance with the wellcraft engineers description"?

I am open to suggestions. I have to have the tank made from scratch so if I need to change the design to accomodate a different fastening method then now is the time to do it!

Westcoast · 06-17-2008, 06:51 PM

Looks like you got alot of tounge weight with your axels that far back on the trailer...How did it tow like that?

502ss · 06-17-2008, 07:22 PM

Actually it towed really good. The boat is right at the capacity of the truck but I towed her all the way from NJ to NH through NY at 4:00pm in the afternoon on a saturday and had no problems! I think the truck could use some load leveling bars on the trailer and it would be fine.

Kims · 06-17-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 502ss

Well don't leave me hanging in suspense! What is "in accordance with the wellcraft engineers description"?

I am open to suggestions. I have to have the tank made from scratch so if I need to change the design to accomodate a different fastening method then now is the time to do it!

Well, I found my foam to be like yours, satturated with fuel. No need to open the rocket science book to figure that was an unsafe condition. I also noticed that the out/underside of my tank had numerous small corrosion spots. I even pressurized my tank for 30 days but still found no apparant leaks. With the foam the way it was, I opted to get a thicker tank custom made from IMCO. They really exceeded my expectations in making a nice tank. I also contacted Wellcraft and found them very accomodating and willing to help. What the engineer suggested was that I only foam in the corners and use belts or crossmembers to bolt the tank down. I proceeded to make some crossmembers out of square aluminum and use bolts from these to hold the tank down. I do not go easy when I am in big water (bad habit from the military / racings days...), and the tank has not moved at all. When I received the tank I covered it with an epoxy primer and then put a coat of bedliner on the bottom of it. Water can now flow freely underneath it and it will always have the opportunity to dry (different from foam). Aluminum suspended in water/fuel will eventually corrode and my / wellcrafts method is designed to prevent this. Good luck with the project and feel free to ask any questions. It is essential to safety that this is done correctly.

502ss · 06-17-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kims

Well, I found my foam to be like yours, satturated with fuel. No need to open the rocket science book to figure that was an unsafe condition. I also noticed that the out/underside of my tank had numerous small corrosion spots. I even pressurized my tank for 30 days but still found no apparant leaks. With the foam the way it was, I opted to get a thicker tank custom made from IMCO. They really exceeded my expectations in making a nice tank. I also contacted Wellcraft and found them very accomodating and willing to help. What the engineer suggested was that I only foam in the corners and use belts or crossmembers to bolt the tank down. I proceeded to make some crossmembers out of square aluminum and use bolts from these to hold the tank down. I do not go easy when I am in big water (bad habit from the military / racings days...), and the tank has not moved at all. When I received the tank I covered it with an epoxy primer and then put a coat of bedliner on the bottom of it. Water can now flow freely underneath it and it will always have the opportunity to dry (different from foam). Aluminum suspended in water/fuel will eventually corrode and my / wellcrafts method is designed to prevent this. Good luck with the project and feel free to ask any questions. It is essential to safety that this is done correctly.

OK, here come the questions!

You said you made crossmembers, were they across the top of the tank and sandwhiched the tank between the floor and the crossmember or were they on the bottom and you had tabs fabricated on the tank that bolted to the crossmembers?

If they were on the botom, how did you attach them to the boat?

You said water could flow freely under the tank? How was it supported off the floor?

Thanks

Kims · 06-17-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 502ss

OK, here come the questions!

You said you made crossmembers, were they across the top of the tank and sandwhiched the tank between the floor and the crossmember or were they on the bottom and you had tabs fabricated on the tank that bolted to the crossmembers?

If they were on the botom, how did you attach them to the boat?

You said water could flow freely under the tank? How was it supported off the floor?

Thanks

My crossmembers goes into the stringers as well as the underside of the floor. Then bolts with rubber heads goes onto the tank. On my bottom there was 8 pieces of wood glassed into the bottom to support the tank. I used 1/4" rubber bands between the support and the tank, as well as foam in the corners to make sure it stayed right where I wanted it to.

bri460 · 06-17-2008, 10:19 PM

wow looks like its comming along nice,what are you guys paying to have a fuel tank made ,i think i might have to go this route with mine,im doing a 78 scarab 300 with i think a little history.keep us updated with pics

Kims · 06-17-2008, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bri460

wow looks like its comming along nice,what are you guys paying to have a fuel tank made ,i think i might have to go this route with mine,im doing a 78 scarab 300 with i think a little history.keep us updated with pics

I did some research on this when I bought mine. IMCO was not the cheapest but they where close enough to make it a nobrainer.. They give you a warranty and it is coast guard approved, which helps a lot if you should ever go after an insurance company. My total cost was about $1800,- delivered at the door, but my tank was 250 gallons. The 300 uses a slightly smaller tank which will keep the cost down. Call Dave at IMCO.com and tell him Kim sendt you.