Fuel Tanks and Smokey Volvos

[Joseph E. Hosie]

Glad to find this site as I own a Cape Dory 28' Open Fisherman built in '87. Live in St. Thomas Virgin Islands, a wonderworld for boating Need to pull engine & replace fuel tanks. Wonder if better to stick with Florida Marine's 60 gal aluminum or go with cheaper plastic types. Also, has anyone found a good reliable Volvo parts supplier (I used to use DiPetro-Kay, now gone)and a fix for smokey TAMD41A model Volvo?



hosie@islands.vi

[Larry DeMers]

Welcome!
I would stick with the aluminum fuel tank personally, but maybe John R. can say something about the corrosion problems possible with diesel and aluminum tanks..I am not too sure of the facts right now, except that there are precautions to be aware of.

My main reason for responding is that DiPietro-Kay has indeed closed, but has reopened now as DiPietro International (Manchester, CT. 1-800-447-9482 ..ask for Lester Thurston..a knowledgeable person who can help you. Have your engine manual handy when you call, as well as the engine specifics..model, part number if given, other identifying points. They are Volvo experts, as you probably know seeing you have used them previously.
I have had nothing but expert service given to me.

Cheers,

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Finally!! Onboard for the weekend..on Lake Superior

Glad to find this site as I own a Cape Dory 28' Open Fisherman built in '87. Live in St. Thomas Virgin Islands, a wonderworld for boating Need to pull engine & replace fuel tanks. Wonder if better to stick with Florida Marine's 60 gal aluminum or go with cheaper plastic types. Also, has anyone found a good reliable Volvo parts supplier (I used to use DiPetro-Kay, now gone)and a fix for smokey TAMD41A model Volvo?

demers@sgi.com

[John R.]

I agree with Larry, stick with aluminum. My reason is because of their strength as opposed to plastic. External corrosion is the problem with aluminum. My advice, keep the tanks external surfaces wiped down with an anti corrosive. Install them elevated on a couple of risers so they will not sit in standing water or dirt. Other options aside from the commercially made plastic tanks are FRP/Epoxy/marine ply, and maybe consider monel if you are wealthy.

Welcome!
I would stick with the aluminum fuel tank personally, but maybe John R. can say something about the corrosion problems possible with diesel and aluminum tanks..I am not too sure of the facts right now, except that there are precautions to be aware of.

My main reason for responding is that DiPietro-Kay has indeed closed, but has reopened now as DiPietro International (Manchester, CT. 1-800-447-9482 ..ask for Lester Thurston..a knowledgeable person who can help you. Have your engine manual handy when you call, as well as the engine specifics..model, part number if given, other identifying points. They are Volvo experts, as you probably know seeing you have used them previously.
I have had nothing but expert service given to me.

Cheers,

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Finally!! Onboard for the weekend..on Lake Superior

Glad to find this site as I own a Cape Dory 28' Open Fisherman built in '87. Live in St. Thomas Virgin Islands, a wonderworld for boating Need to pull engine & replace fuel tanks. Wonder if better to stick with Florida Marine's 60 gal aluminum or go with cheaper plastic types. Also, has anyone found a good reliable Volvo parts supplier (I used to use DiPetro-Kay, now gone)and a fix for smokey TAMD41A model Volvo?

[Ken Cave]

For parts you might try D.B. Marine in the UK. Some of the folks here have used them in the past with good results, and they are probably the largest dealer of Volvo parts anywhere! Even one of our dealers in Anacortes has their number for hard to find parts!

The web site is www.dbmarine.co.uk Thrie e-mail address is: sales@dbmarine.co.uk.

And, heaven forbid, you might want to call them, try 011-44-1628-526032.

My last order was a mechanics book on a Volvo 2020-got it in a week!

Ken Cave
CD 28 Dragon Tale
Anacortes, WA



bcave@whidbey.net