1989 tournament gas tank, floor questions

[crabbydad]

Just bought a 1989 tounament knowing it had a weak stringer. I can push on the fiberglass and it gives, nothing solid toching it, but the floor feels solid when walking on it. I pulled the tank access cover and ther was a black "goo" around the top back of the tank aroun the sending unit and on the bottom of access cover. there was a sour smell but it didn't smell like any old gasoline that i had ever smelled. to get the tank out to inspect, after removing deck supports, should it come right out, looks like a fairly snug fit thru the access.
Unfortunetly i put 30 gallons of fuel in it on the way home from picking it up. i don't smell any gas fumes.
Another question. the floor panel, looks like the floor should be able to be used over. is there wood glassed in under the non skid deck? or is the entire deck fiberglass resting on the stringers? i would like to try to cut it up in 1 piece at the non skid edge and reuse it after replacing stringers. looks like it may not come out in 1 piece if i cut back under the jump seats i may not be able to manuever it out. Anyone out there ever remove the floor have any advice or tips on removing the floor and gas tank.
I can't stand the thought of taking it out until i at least check the tank and replace all the fuel lines, they looked prety bad.
Thanks in advance for any info

 

[crabbydad]

anyone?

 

[Curmudgeon]

should it come right out,

Probably not, may have to trim about 1/8" from the lip. Don't try to remove it with 30 gal of fuel unless you have a hoist and a small boy. Covers were typically layered with pieces of ply and prone to rot at/near the access covers. The usual fix for that is to grind out the current wood, re-glass over new. While the tank is out, clean it up, check for corrosion typically found under the neoprene aside strips, and replace the sender. Obviously replace any rotting stringers or hatch supports. I have heard of rotten bulheads (one fore, and one aft) although my '86 did not when I did a full tank replacement in ''07.

 

[Parthery]

I had an '86 190 Tournament and did a tank replacement on it.

RDS (www.rdsaluminum.com) has the exact specs on file and can build you a replacement tank and UPS it to your door.

We were able to remove and install the new one without any trimming...it wasn't easy but it fits like a glove once it's in there.

In my case, the deck cover over the tank was in good shape...the hatch cover for the in-floor storage compartment had gotten soft though...we cut a piece of plywood the size of it and glassed it to the underside of the hatch....made it super strong...although it was also a bit heavier then it needed to be.