1984 gas tank ???

[venomspine18]

I just got a 1984 starcraft open bow with the 120 i/o mercruiser 18 foot. Its an aluminum hull and i have a few questions. Where was the gas tank origanally mounted on these modeles. As of now it is in the back left corner of the boat when sitting in the driver seat. The reason i ask is the fuel tank makes the whole boat list to the left and makes steering hard always pulling to the left. Second is how do i go about finding the leaks. I ripped up the floor and all the foam was water logged. I would pump my bilge out in the water and nothing would pump out bone dry in the engine compartment. then i drive up a big hill and water would just pour out the plug hole. Thanks for any help you can give me this is my first aluminum boat first boat was a glassport.

 

[HONKER1]

Re: 1984 gas tank ???

I have a '86 Starcraft, 18'. The 20 gallon gas tank is in the floor about in the middle of the boat. The tank fill is on the port side front deck.
If the foam is waterlogged, then remove it as you already have the floor up. This way you can inspect and replace any bad rivets. If the boat was used in saltwater, you may have some pitting issues going on. Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[APPALOOSA2]

Re: 1984 gas tank ???

My 71 Holiday is in the same Port "left" location from the factory. Mine does not list at all.
Hard steering is from not adjusting the trim tab on your lower unit to match your prop.

Put about 12" of water in the LEVEL boat on the trailer and chech for leaks also check your bellows on the sterndrive for cracks, holes water will leak in and you will not find that putting water in the hull.