Fuel tank pickup tube

E

Edward Thieme

New member
I have changed the fuel pickup tubes in a number of boats fuel tanks including a C-Dory 22. I took a 5/16 copper tube, bent it in the shape of a letter L, sqweezed the bottom end shut and drilled 1/8 in. holes along the bottom to act as a strainer. This is inserted through the existing treaded fitting on the tank. Over this I slide a 5/16 in. compression fitting that has been drill through, so the tube can slip through it and screw the body of the fitting into the tank. The ferrule and nut are then slipped over the tube and tightened to hold the tube in place and seal the tank. The fuel hose is then slipped over the top of the tube with a hose clamp.

The pickup tube on the 22 C-Dory had a slight air leak in one tank where the plastic tube slipped on to the barb fitting inside the tank and at idle speed the engine would stall some times. In addition I want to pick up any water in the tank so the Racor filter can catch it.

I now have a 25 C-Dory and would like to do the same thing but I worry about using brass fittings on the aluminum tank and can't find a source of aluminum compression fittings.

Would like a source of aluminum compression fittings and opinion about brass fittings on an aluminum tank
Ed on "Rambler"
 
I am not too keen on standard compression fittings with the brass "olive" that slides over the tube and is subsequently compressed sometimes with a bad outcome. Many years ago I became acquainted with and used "Swagelok" compression fittings. I had excellent result using them. I am sure their website would guide you in application and material compatibility.
 
sailor-d":2ciavugp said:
I am not too keen on standard compression fittings with the brass "olive" that slides over the tube and is subsequently compressed sometimes with a bad outcome. Many years ago I became acquainted with and used "Swagelok" compression fittings. I had excellent result using them. I am sure their website would guide you in application and material compatibility.
Click to expand...

A screwed up Ferrel / Ferrule is caused by Over Tightening :wink: Swagelok fittings are as easily ruined as the other(by over doing it) :wink: The only Swagelok's I have dealt with are 316 Stainless though?
 
You might wish to revisit your basic plan.
According to the following link
http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/PRO-ACT/fact/petfuels.asp
additives are commonly placed in gasolines to increase conductivity, so inserting a copper pickup line in an aluminum alloy fuel tank sounds like a perfect setup for corrosion regardless of the metal chosen for the mounting connector.

Paul Priest
Sequim, WA
 
Thanks for the input, I found Swagelok makes aluminum fittings and I plan to use aluminum tubing which the local hardware store has. The fuel tank has an extra 3/8 in fitting welded on to it and it had a BRASS pipe plug in it! You might want to check your tank before the pipe plug corrodes the tank.
Ed on "Rambler"
 
I have finished installing the tank pickup tube. I was able to syphon 4 more gallons of gas out of the tank with this set up. I have fittings and a valve in the fuel line between the priming bulb and outboard where I can drain the fuel.
 
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