88 38' KV fuel tank removal

batty · 08-19-2008, 11:13 PM

Has anyone here had to take the tank out of there scarab? I only have one, and it under the floor. I removed the floor over the tank now I just have to get the foam out. what is the easiest way to do this?? Any recommended tools?? I started on it tonight... .what a pain in the azz!!!

clpbs · 08-20-2008, 08:03 AM

I use a long saw blade and cut the foam and then dig out as much foam as you can on all sides. If you can put a stick of wood or something and try to pry the tank loose from the foam on the bottom. Then put a rope on the fill neck a gently pull up on the tank. Be careful if you are trying to save the tank. If I can help any more 281-326-4800

79excalibur · 08-20-2008, 10:16 PM

Last summer we put a fuel tank in my Excalibur. What we used to get the foam out was to take a sawjaw with a 12 inch blade and run the blade at 45-60 degree angle run it down just to when you hear and feel it hit the hull and come up just a fuzz. we kept it against the stringer so then the foam would come out on the tank. Then we put blocks on the side of the super structure and ran a 4 x 4 across and ran a come-a-long to the sending unit hole and slowly started to crank up. It put a lot of pressure on the 4 x 4 so make sure it is good . we would go a couple clicks at a time and let it sit for a few seconds at the beginning and then you start to hear it pop and crack breaking loose. good luck and if you need anymore help or info let me know we took pictures every step of the process.

David

79excalibur · 08-20-2008, 10:18 PM

I just noticed it was you Brad. Good luck with that project we almost bid on that but decided better.

c_deezy · 08-21-2008, 01:23 AM

How about something a little 'gentler' than a sawzall blade so you don't have to worry so much about tearing up the hull? I.E. an electric turkey carver, or an old 12 inch knife, with the handle cut down and retrofitted to fit in a sawzall? I don't see a dull old knife tearing up the fiberglass too bad but it should make quick work through the foam with a sawzall behind it.

clpbs · 08-21-2008, 07:51 AM

You just want to get the tank separated from the stringer. If you have enough room you dont have to touch the tank or the stringer. A knife blade will be very tough with that closed cell foam.

JetJock · 08-21-2008, 07:57 AM

Any chance we could see some pics? How much foam we talking about here?

batty · 08-21-2008, 08:07 AM

I took a few pics of the process!! What a chore. It wouldnt of been bad but there is absolutly no room to work with. I ended up using a 3' pry bar and a small 18" tree saw, it cut very nice through the foam with some elbow grease. I wanted to use my air saw with a hacksaw blade in it but there is no room to get it in there. Lotso foam, I bet ive filled a 55 gal garbage can and I dont have half the foam out yet!!!

Ill put some pics up tonight

502ss · 08-21-2008, 10:51 AM

I feel your pain man! I just ripped mine out of my 30' scarab. I ended up cutting the tank in half and removing it in 2 pieces, then removed the foam piece by piece. The good news is once the tank was out the foam came out in very large pieces with a little help from a pry bar. The new tank is all fabricated and I am just waiting for the liquid foam to arrive so I can install it. Some pictures of the removal are located here:

84 Scarab Renovation (ongoing)

502ss