1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

[jaekfre]

I've recently acquired a 73 chieftain. I haven't been able to find out the size of the fuel tanks. The gas in the tanks smells like it has gone bad and I need to drain the fuel. I'd like to know how much gas I'm going to be dealing with before I start. Anyone know?

 

[alumi numb]

Re: 1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

don't know, don't have a chieftain.
do have an islander and it's the same hull.
under the two seat on each side of the engine cover there are 12 gal. tanks.
thus total cap. of 12 gal's.
mine were dry and had a little rust in them.
let them set full of vinegar water for about a month, now ok.
use two fuel filters in parallel on both tanks.
hopr that helped some.

 

[jaekfre]

Re: 1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

Thanks Alumi Numb. I'll expect to at least have that much.

 

[dan bateman]

Re: 1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

i have a 1973 chiefton iam restoring everything one tank marked on ti 12 gals no marking on other one i going to remove them if ifigure out how to. tank and rivet on hull with some kind of bracket

 

[jaekfre]

Re: 1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

Excellent. Thanks dan bateman. Any suggestions as to what to do with the old fuel once I have drained it?

 

[alumi numb]

Re: 1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

wow, didn't realize i was that tired, anyway 24 gal's..??
advertise it on craigslist for local pick up, someone will take it!
mine were just screwed to the wood floor, i have replaced all wood inside.
cabin wall is oak ply finished with minwax helmsman spar varnish.
the floor is just 1/2" exterior ply sealed in white floor enamel.
any place were something is fastened to the floor i glued another 1/2" piece of ply to the bottom side.
good luck on your's.

 

[jaekfre]

Re: 1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

Alumi Numb, correct me if I read your post wrong but did you say you painted the deck? I'm trying to find a cost effective carpet alternative. If you did paint the deck, have you found it to be slick when wet?

 

[jaekfre]

Re: 1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

Btw, would you have an idea of what the 21' Chieftain weighs?

 

[alumi numb]

Re: 1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

at the top of the page just over "post reply" you will see starcraft spec's.
wow!
73 chieftain is 2526, my 70 islander is 1955 and same hull.
man i want a 26" chieftain and ebay has one, not going to california for it however.
there is a real nice looking islander there also.

 

[alumi numb]

Re: 1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

Alumi Numb, correct me if I read your post wrong but did you say you painted the deck? I'm trying to find a cost effective carpet alternative. If you did paint the deck, have you found it to be slick when wet?

no i haven't and it has been a little wet.
as mentioned i'm not finished yet and am going to use carpeting, no foam.
the paint is just for sealing the wood.
you know now that i'm thinking about it.
walmart you can get packets of non skid flakes to add to the paint.
makes the surface a little rougher.
dang i might just give that a try.
glad you asked the question, hope all works well for you.

 

[illumastorm]

Re: 1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

here's a little tip for you for the slick paint, mix in some sand (clean sand) and then paint it on, or you could put on the paint and while it is still wet spread the sand on it. either way has worked great for me. i did that on our floating dock & ramp board. much cheaper then buying the stick on tape or flakes.

 

[jaekfre]

Re: 1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

Thanks. Didn't realize walmart sold a product like that. That should work well without shattering the budget!

 

[alumi numb]

Re: 1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

Thanks. Didn't realize walmart sold a product like that. That should work well without shattering the budget!

i don't like wasting money eather so no problem.
the paint came from walmart also, floor enamel.
my son is an ace woodworker, builds cedar log cabins/homes for a living.
he said that's all you need to seal the grain against moisture.
just to add the original cabin wall was mdf with a wood grain lam on it.
the oak ply is much lighter, stronger and looks a lot better.
just don't give up on it, take care.

 

[jaekfre]

Re: 1973 Chieftain Fuel tanks

Thanks alot!