1992 Formula 34 PC fuel tank compartment access

[BruceK]

How does one access the fuel tank compartment in the early 34PC? There is an area behind the aft cockpit but forward of the engine bay seperated on both sides by a bulkhead. At the moment the only access I can see is removal of the ice maker and crawling between the outer hull and top fitting to the port tank and across. Was the generator originally located in this compartment as shown in the lower diagram or is that a logical drawing?

area in yellow

 

[BruceK]

Also was the rear most bulkead shown above that seperated the fuel compartment (now) from the engine bay an original factory fitting or has it been added by a PO? Possibly noise and heat reduction? It's the only thing I can think of because I see no way to access this space to either do fuel tank checks or if the genny was located there, service it?

 

[tpenfield]

Do you have some actual pictures to post as well? do you need to remove the fuel tank(s) or just get access to the top portions. You may have to cut some of the bulkhead out in order to get good access to the fuel tanks. Cruisers are like that. . . they generally are not made to come apart easily.

 

[BruceK]

The area inside this void is quite large, especially between the two tanks, I cant believe it was intentionally inaccessable as it would have been an ideal location for equipment such as generators etc. I will get some photos, but I dont think they'll show much as the whole interior has been sound and heat shielded which is why I can't see if this bulkhead was a previous owner addition. The genny has since gone and that area in front of the bulkhead is now taken up by a calorifier which does not look original based on the drawings.

 

[Iceman356]

Hi. Where can you find complete drawings as shown above?

 

[twarble]

contact TAG...support@formulaboats.com

 

[sailerman]

I see this is an old thread but what the heck...I have a 29 PC and most of the PC were similar, The genset is located between the fuel tanks, I have access to the sending units from deck plates. On mine the only bulkhead is forward of the tanks and genset.

mike

 

[BruceK]

Thanks. I have no access at all to my fuel tanks and come filter change time when I cannot reach the fuel cut off taps on the tanks it's a case of "Jack be nimble, Jack be quick"

I'm not sure how one would ever change a tank or clean one out if it got the bug without taking a saw to the superstructure.

 

[Treads]

Access to the sending units and fuel line connections at tank are via deck plates. The port side deck plate is in the forward area of the seat bottom/cockpit table storage, the starboard side deck plate is in the line storage/secondary breaker panel area. The black foam insulation covered bulkheads are factory. Pics below are of relocated trim pumps, tab pump and drive monitor bottles. Genset is original location between tanks, forward bilge area. Hope this is helpful. Any other configuration is more than likely PO mods.

 

[BruceK]

I like what you have done with the relocation of the pumps! I have removed the hatches but they dont line up with the taps. Starboard is out by more than a foot and the gap is about 1 inch. Port I just cant find at all but can acces via the icemaker if removed and I send in a skinny lad.

 

[Treads]

Bruce, if the deck plates do not exist, it is quite easy to install them yourself. I will get you a couple of pics when I am down the boat next time, along with a sketch with some setup dimensions, at least for where my tank access and sender locations are. I would be surprised if they are that much different, only being one year apart.

During my first re-power I took advantage of the opportunity to bring everything forward that requires regular checks and maintenance. Everything is easily accessible and much more maintenance friendly.

 

[BruceK]

That would be great and much appreciated. My biggest concern is a fuel leak or fire and the inability to cut off fuel easily. I'd like to look at a system where one could pull a cord or similar and remotely shut off fuel in an emergency. As it stands I have been a bit lax in sorting the issue out, always something more urgent needing maintenance and never getting round to it.

 

[BruceK]

Looking at your engine bay I am impressed. I'd like to do similar but my diesels are shoe horned in with barely any room in front and access to the bilge non existent. I have a 15 spanner and several sockets down there waiting for the next time I remove the heat exchangers etc to retrieve and god knows how many bolts.