My 87 F223LS fuel pickup started pulling air when below about 60% full. I contacted the tank manufacturer, Florida Marine Tanks. I spoke with a very helpful

Tristan Ince
Customer Service
FMT
120 Peter Gill Rd
Henderson, NC 27537

Office: (305) 620-9030 ext 2802




With my tank code FMT-81-TB and their records he was able to identify and spec a correctly sized pickup. It's 3/8" NFT with a 12 5/16" length pickup. There is an angle cut at the bottom BTW.
I probed the tank too, FMT had it perfect, which is not a surprise since it's their item.
The OE pickup had a copper tube, and thankfully, no screen. They are using plastic and stainless these days. The elbow at the top is stainless and the tube is plastic. You may opt for a stainless pickup too.

Use this company, they are the real deal!

Great info. Thanks.

What symptoms where you getting that lead to you finding this ?

Once I burned off about 36 gallons she would go lean on takeoff, even run out and stall. I wasn't sure what was up but I thought it had run out by looking at the fuel pressure and the afr. Plus I had left it at a canvas shop since the last fill up and I don't trust my gas gauge. Turns out it was right.

The wife and I had the day free, so we putted from Center Harbor to Y landing and topped the fuel.

the boat took off happily with a full tank. I just went to my favorite cove to hang out and then when the weather started to be a concern we ran it back to the ramp. It's around 6 or 7 miles.

As I was heading in I ran it to wide open a time or two. Didn't spend time trimming for max or anything, but she pulled like a train at full song. I really love having an afr gauge!