TD20 Gas Tank – Any Expert Advice Out There?

[John Gragg]

Hey All,

So my restoration is moving along well. I have spent the better part of the last couple of days working on restoring the fuel tank.

I stripped it completely, and now I’m in the middle of slowly adding fiberglass filler (bondo-type filler w/ fiberglass, not the cloth/liquid approach). I have been using my pull starter as a guide to help with the final height of the tank (under the starter), trying to get a consistent reveal.

I discovered two things in the process.

1.) My starter housing is (I’m pretty sure) bent. See pics. The housing is not flat. Is that a bent starter, or were they made that way for some reason?

2.) My tank was so dinged up I initially thought there was a ‘crease’ in the tank under the starter housing rim, from about 2″ forward of the rear mounting bolts, all the way around the tank. Now that I discover that the starter housing is bent, I’m starting to believe there is no crease in the tank and that the top of the tank should be flat? I took some example pics off fleabay to show my questions.

Several pics to follow, so going to be two posts to cover it.

So:

Starter housing supposed to be flat?

Crease or no crease?

Anyone have a proper/restored tank to show what it should look like?

Thanks all!

Best Regards,

 

John Gragg
RIverside, CA

Just starting in the hobby, please be patient.

48 Sea King 5hp GG9014A. Sold
49 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
48 Johnson TD20. Sold
49 Johnson TD20. Sold
54 Johnson QD15. Sold
55 Johnson CD12. Sold
57 Johnson RJE-19M
57 Johnson RDE-19

[John Gragg]

Here are the fleabay examples…

Thanks again!

 

Best Regards

 

John Gragg
RIverside, CA

Just starting in the hobby, please be patient.

48 Sea King 5hp GG9014A. Sold
49 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
48 Johnson TD20. Sold
49 Johnson TD20. Sold
54 Johnson QD15. Sold
55 Johnson CD12. Sold
57 Johnson RJE-19M
57 Johnson RDE-19

[T….in Wisconsin]

You may want to consider buying a used TD-20 parts motor for the tank & recoil.

There are a number of them still out there.

[John Gragg]

Thanks – But too much time and effort invested in the tank at this point. Sure, several tanks out there but not one of them in any better shape than my original. Add that to the fact that I’m in So Cal (not known for a plethora of older outboards), where vintage outboards are either non-existent or hugely overpriced (‘hey, it’s old it HAS to be worth $1,000’) and I’m kinda outta luck. Don’t get me wrong, they are out there, but a used TD20 in decent shape is going to run me >$150 just for the motor, then shipping from (East Coast for sure) wherever is another $100?

Yes, I already have a pull starter in mind, I have asked the seller about the flatness of it, waiting to hear.

Pics of my efforts so far below…

Still at the 80 grit stage, another day and I can move on to 180 and 220, then glazing compound and 320/400. Primer in between and the tank should be the least of my worries, once I know if I need to sand in a crease to the top of the tank.

Best Regards,

John Gragg
RIverside, CA

Just starting in the hobby, please be patient.

48 Sea King 5hp GG9014A. Sold
49 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
48 Johnson TD20. Sold
49 Johnson TD20. Sold
54 Johnson QD15. Sold
55 Johnson CD12. Sold
57 Johnson RJE-19M
57 Johnson RDE-19

[Author]

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