Switching from an aluminum to a plastic fuel tank

[Ramman]

I just got the tank out of my 1987 Z21 and it's very badly corroded, and leaking in about 5 spots! I called Florida marine tanks and they want over $500 plus freight for a new one! And after searching around I found a 52 gallon plastic tank, with the same dimensions as the OEM tank for $200. Is there any reason I shouldn't use a plastic tank?

[Mr X]

The 22 classic's come new with a plastic tank.......
Must not be too bad.........

[RickR]

Ranman
My 90 18 Classic had a plastic (polymer?) tank and my 95 22 Classic has an aluminum one.

The only problem I had with the plastic one was the sloshing from not having baffels.

The mounting is different with a plastic tank. If I remember correctly they expand after filled with fuel so they have to be shimmed in instead of foamed?????????

[Ranman]

Ahhhh... I'm Ranman, he's "Ramman". :biggrin:

I've mistaken him for me too. :eek!: :eek!:

[RickR]

Ranman
Whoops :bonk: I was wondering what you were doing with a Z21 :boggled:

[Gary]

That's the same tank I put in my 86 Z-25. It was a little smaller than the original 60. But I could get it in with out cutting the floor. Also I remember the fuel fill was on the front rather than the back and I had to buy a new hose. So it made filling it up a little trickey. Also you don't foam them in, like an aluminum one. I set it on closed cell foam insulation and held it down with stainless L angles.

[Forrest]

If you decide to go back with an aluminum tank, check with RDS Manufacturing, Inc, in Perry, Florida (http://www.rdsaluminum.com/). RDS makes OEM and custom tanks for many perfromance boat builders including Donzi. The price for a tank for an 18 from RDS should be much lower than $500.

[GKricheldorf]

Gary - You had.have a 60 gallon tank in your Z25? I have an 87 with a 72 gallon tank. I'm going to need to swap out my tank in the near future. Not really excited about having to go down to 50 or so gallons. I like the range i have with the 72 gallons. Oh well

[gcarter]

Gary - You had.have a 60 gallon tank in your Z25? I have an 87 with a 72 gallon tank. I'm going to need to swap out my tank in the near future. Not really excited about having to go down to 50 or so gallons. I like the range i have with the 72 gallons. Oh well
RDS or its predecessor in Perry, Florida probably built your origional tank.
Please see;
http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=36420
They can make a tank for you as large as you can practically fit. :smash:

[Gary]

GK,
It could be that my memory is fading:) But I'm pretty sure it was a 60, maybe 65 gals.Also, my boat was an 87 hull #7 built. Maybe they made them bigger later on. But it just fit. I had to cut it in half to get it out of the access panel. That's why the 52 was easier to get in. Otherwise you would have to cut the floor, or take off the top deck.

[Ramman]

Alright well I got the tank ordered, 2 to 3 week delivery!! Damn the summer gonna be over by then!:frown: So I shouldn't use any foam at all?? Just strap it down? I was thinking about filling up the tank to let it expand, and then foaming it? What do you guys think?

[Fish boy]

1986 z-25 came with 70 gallon fuel capacity. Also, my 1987 f-23 is the same hull as the z-25 and it came with a 100 gallon tank. I am actually considering taking out the 100 and putting in a 60 located closer to the stern (rather than midship) to change the attitude of the boat.

[fishnfool]

I recently purchased a 55 gallon aluminum tank from RDS for $269.