Fuel Filler hose Elbow

[tlross]

Hi ! Not a direct atomic 4 questions but hoping someone has advice - I have a 1971 C&C 35 Mk1 with a replaced atomic 4 engine, lying Etobicoke, (near Toronto). The gas fill hose disintegrated so I am replacing (with much swearing). The most challenging part is to find a replacement for the elbow that makes the 90 degree turn from the fill hose into the tank. The existing piece is a fuel stable soft rubber like material, (5"long, 1.5 "ID) with MFHL 150 stamped on the outside, and a just barely visible EWCO written on the inside. [ see photo] It could be the original piece that C+C put in way back.

The hard plastic replacement that the boat store won't work. The challenge is that there is very little clearance between the top of the fill tube on the tank and the underside of the cockpit - I need something flexible that I can squish over the tube coming in from the side and then down onto it, as this flexible piece did. But I have not been able to track down a direct replacement. I've done a bit of searching online but I have not found the exact piece, nor have any idea if I could ever track something like this down from an automotive supplier.

If anyone has experience with this, or tips on finding a replacement, I'd appreciate your thoughts. Need to get this sorted before launch!

Thanks

Tracy Ross
oomla@yahoo.ca

[tenders]

This sounded familiar and one of the links below your post identified the previous discussion on the topic:

http://www.moyermarineforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10386

[GregH]

Wouldn't the current set up have horizontal hose lower than the elbow in any case? A low point for fuel to pool.

[ndutton]

Tracy, I suggest you are a candidate for a sealed access plate in the cockpit sole. It would solve this problem and open up a variety of improved elbow solutions.

http://www.beckson.com/screwout.html

[joe_db]

A C&C 35 exploded and sank after fueling and I am 99% sure this was the cause. Mine ended up dumping about 5 gallons in the bilge I got a 90 degree aluminum fitting made to replace the old kitchen sink thing.
I'll grab a photo of my aluminum piece when I can. You need to replace ALL the hose, not just the elbow. My 1973 full hose was coming apart too. I would not try and make a cockpit floor fill, these are bad for a couple reasons. One is any fumes from filling have a much easier route into the cabin and second is standing water on the fill.

[joe_db]

Wouldn't the current set up have horizontal hose lower than the elbow in any case? A low point for fuel to pool.

My hose does not sag now. The original may have.

[roadnsky]

I would not try and make a cockpit floor fill, these are bad for a couple reasons. One is any fumes from filling have a much easier route into the cabin and second is standing water on the fill.

Joe-
I don't believe that Neil was suggesting a cockpit fill fitting.
Rather an access port so that Tracy can install a proper 90° elbow.

The challenge is that there is very little clearance between the top of the fill tube on the tank and the underside of the cockpit - I need something flexible that I can squish over the tube coming in from the side and then down onto it, as this flexible piece did...
Tracy Ross

[Wrsteinesq]

Try Fillernecksupply.com.

[sdemore]

I had the same elbow on my C&C 30. There are two problems with it, it isn't a 90 degree bend, it is more like 120 degrees and second, (on mine at least), it was joining two pipes that were slightly different sizes. The nipple to the heavy gas hose is different than the entry to the gas tank.

On mine, the boat had been sitting for 3 years with no activity when I got it. I tried t add gas and this elbow was split, resulting in a gallon or so going straight to the bilge.

Pep Boys let me go through their shelves of radiator hose and I found one molded into a 90 degree bend and stretched to the right size for the gas tank fitting. I cut off the other end and the unstretched part fit the nipple. Radiator hose isn't rated for gasoline, but neither is that rubber elbow...

[joe_db]

Joe-
I don't believe that Neil was suggesting a cockpit fill fitting.
Rather an access port so that Tracy can install a proper 90° elbow.

The problem is not access, it is easy to get to. To the problem is there is no room for a standard 90 degree fitting once you have it on.
This might do the trick with some trimming and a male-male barb:

https://www.fillernecksupply.com/1-1-2-id-38mm-90-degree-super-fuel-filler-elbow-1.50/

[joe_db]

I had the same elbow on my C&C 30. There are two problems with it, it isn't a 90 degree bend, it is more like 120 degrees and second, (on mine at least), it was joining two pipes that were slightly different sizes. The nipple to the heavy gas hose is different than the entry to the gas tank.

On mine, the boat had been sitting for 3 years with no activity when I got it. I tried t add gas and this elbow was split, resulting in a gallon or so going straight to the bilge.

Pep Boys let me go through their shelves of radiator hose and I found one molded into a 90 degree bend and stretched to the right size for the gas tank fitting. I cut off the other end and the unstretched part fit the nipple. Radiator hose isn't rated for gasoline, but neither is that rubber elbow...

On the C&C 35, the fill fitting, the gas tank, and the hose are all 1.5" and the turn is 90 degrees.
BTW - if you have the original C&C 35 gas tank from the early 70s, GET RID OF IT now! Those tanks were ternplate and will rust through. You also can see in the OPs photo the fill hose is about to come apart too.

[tlross]

Thank you!

Everyone, thank you so much for your replies! It makes me feel so less alone with this to know others have dealt with the same thing.

Wow amazing memory to refer back to a thread from 2008! I had searched the forums before posting but did not come across this thread.

I had seen that piece on fillernecksupply.com but was hesitating - went through with it now so it's on the way. Fingers crossed it works!

Yes I am replacing the whole filler setup including the main hose part, it had completely disintegrated. Have some good Trident hose for that part.

Don't know about a access port in cockpit sole - will try to avoid that if just to prevent opportunities for water softening in the already old floor.

That brass piece looks lovely, but don't think I'd have room for it.

Having an aluminum piece made could be an alternative too. Yes if you can post an image of that that would be great.

No it's not the original tank, that has been replaced with a plastic one, but the installer did not replace the fill hose or the elbow. boo.

Yes I had the same problem with gas going straight into the bilge. Which I will be cleaning thoroughly!

Again thanks everyone, I will post the finish product here once it all is done!

[joe_db]

The aluminum piece cost me $150, so the 90 degree hose is certainly a cheaper way to go. You don't need to make an access port either, you can just crawl back there and work on it. Don't forget the vent line, that one will be old too