Johnson Tall Boy Tank

[davidk]

Any advice on restoring a Johnson tall boy tank? I see that vintageoutboard.com has a repair kit with some gaskets and a diaphragm.

The cork looks like it needs to be replaced. I wonder what I can do to replicate that cork? I’m hoping to remove and replace it without screwing up the gauge. Not sure how that comes off?

The fuel pickup has a plate holding the screen that may be too far gone. Any chance there are other more common tanks that used a similar pickup?

[frankr]

Hoo boy, that thing looks like a challenge.

Here’s a parts list if it will help

[davidk]

Thanks, Frank! I’m finding a lot of these parts available through the parts numbers your list provides.

[reivertom]

You might have to “gin rig” something, as the old timers used to say. I would coat any cork replacement or use a plastic foam type float if possible. If the screen is made of bronze, it might clean up. I bought some not long ago, so it is still available.

[David Bartlett]

Boy Dave,

That is rough. The strap under the float needs to be unsoldered to get the float off.

Maybe electrolysis for the rusty stuff.

David Bartlett
Pine Tree Boating Club Chapter

"I don't fully understand everything I know!"

[gjonz]

I have many of these parts. And a new cork float I think. The floats I bought on line. But Rochester Pumps is still around. We use their gauges on our machinery at work. And the modern floats work as well.

You might pm me or email you needs to outboards.greg@gmail.com. I’ll see what parts I have if you figure out what you need.

Love a Tall Boy tank!

Greg

[davidk]

Frank was right. Hoo boy! I’m not discouraged, though. Whoever put this back together last time left out the inlet and outlet disc valves. Maybe they were trying to save weight so the boat could go faster?

[davidk]

[David Bartlett]

You can make it work!

David Bartlett
Pine Tree Boating Club Chapter

"I don't fully understand everything I know!"

[frankr]

I think the check valves are the same as the regular pressure tank and the obsolete 1960-ish fuel pumps

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