Holing a Diesel Tank

[hpeer]

Need to add a pick up. What is the best method for putting a hole in an integral steel tank?

Also would like a suggestion on what kind of fitting to use.

I need to add a dipstick and also a pick up for a fuel polishing system.

150 gallon tank, integral to the hull. The top is welded in, there is an "inspection plate" but I would have to remove the engine to use it.

On a second note, I was thinking of drilling a 6" diameter hole to make an inspection port. Any suggestions on that?

[Charlie]

Here is a link to a very good product that I used. Real Easy. Assuming a diesel tank all you need to do is drill it out with a hole saw then drill for studs and assemble. Works well. I know one guy put all of his pick up lines etc in the access port.

[hpeer]

Charlie, I don't see a link.

Do you fill the tank before making the hole? Are there any special precautions?

[never monday]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Charlie, I don't see a link.

Do you fill the tank before making the hole? Are there any special precautions?

it's diesel, you can light a cigar with a propane torch while drilling it

[tallyhorob]

I would empty tank if possible, so you can clean out the metal chips from the drilling and cutting. also would be a great time to clean out the tank well when you got the hole there. Save on filters after you install that polisher, if you got it clean to start with.

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by never monday

it's diesel, you can light a cigar with a propane torch while drilling it

Gotta say it buddy,--I'm a little surprised at so casual a responce.
Flash point 150*F--Auto-ignition temp 450*F
We always injected CO2 into the tank from a fire extinguisher before drilling.
Jus sayin'

[Charlie]

Sorry about that here is the link. Seabuilt - Access Plate Systems also a link to a thread on access ports. Fuel Tank Acces Ports I drilled into an aluminum tank with a holesaw and didn't blow up. Now doing a little research on the net I see that diesel in its liquid state is difficult to ignite even with an open flame. If the diesel has been vaporized an open flame will ignite it. An electric motor in a gasoline engine compartment must be spark protected in a diesel engine this is not the case.

[RTB]

As Charlie says, those are great. We just put one in last year. 27 year old tank. No leaks. BTW, it was way easier installing it than what it seems in Charlie's thread.

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by RTB

As Charlie says, those are great. We just put one in last year. 27 year old tank. No leaks. BTW, it was way easier installing it than what it seems in Charlie's thread.

In the thread I asked for help planning on building my own. It didn't work out as well as I hoped because of space restrictions . I used two homemade ones and then had to buy two seabuilt ones. The Seabuilt were much easier to install.

[RTB]

I was just saying that things seem more complicated when typing them, than actual hands on doing it. It does, however, take a bit of courage to cut a hole in your boat's fuel tank!

I must add, that I didn't do the work myself. But I watched the whole process. The guy doing it does fuel polishing, and had obviously done this same job many times. Have you ever watched someone that was skilled do something, and thought how easy it looked? This is actually a pretty easy job.

Ralph