I need new tanks for a 1963 Mercury 9.8hp and a 70's model 5hp Chrysler. Are metal tanks still available? If not, what can I do?
The hoses are still good, just the tanks have rusted to what I think is beyond repair.
Both engines have less than 30 hours so I want to use them.

You should be able to use plastic tanks. You just might have to change the connection at the tank

Go to www.westmarine.com and check out their tanks. Plastic is better because it won't rust.

After reading several horror stories of plastic tanks from Walmart I was a bit skeptical, but knew there must be a better made tank somewhere. I will give Westmarine a call.

Thank you for the replies

You might want to check with Sierra Marine also. Tom

Thanks Tom

The Walmart tanks have/had problems with the plastic connections breaking off tank from what I have read. Some boaters have been left stranded because of it.

West Marine carries 3.2 and 6.6 gallon plastic tanks made by Moeller but they are NOT for sale in the USA! 

Sierra Marine's site is too complicated for me and I could not find any plastic tanks. 

I phoned the local Walmart (175 miles) and they quit stocking the plastic tanks, no reason given. I am not sure if they meant just that store or all stores.

Living in remote Idaho can be challenging..........................

I am no computer whiz so my wife had to find the tanks on Walmart's web like she did a couple months back. It was there we read the reviews where so many had had problems with the hard plastic between hose and tank breaking. Today there was only ONE review listed and it was a 5 star. All other negative posts were gone.    Go figure.
They are available on line and can be shipped to my PO. I would like to inspect one before ordering, but will think on it.

Thanks for all the input.

I have never used the Sierra website, I have a CarQuest Auto Parts store down the street that provides me with a catalog and orders my parts for me. No hassle and I don't have to pay shipping! Tom

Use one of those old metal tanks with ethanol fuel and your motor won't be running too long!

You can get them from Bass Pro, Cabelas, and Gander Mtn also. Not counting marine dealers. There not hard to find.

Thanks to a member sending me a PM, I found a good site for plastic fuel tanks. It is First Choice Marine in Grain Valley Mo.

Not all Marine dealers carry plastic tanks. I phoned the three closest to me, (155-180 miles) and no tanks were in stock. Two of the three wanted to "coat" the inside of my old metal tanks. I passed.

Thanks for the replies

heck I had a 63 mercury with a steel tank the ole girl finally died and I bought a new 4 stroke motor and it came with a plastic tank. I like it better because it is much quieter in the bottom of the boat. Also the corrosion resistance is another plus. Any outboard dealer should be able to get you a new tank and I am sure it would be much more durable than anything walmart sells.

heck I had a 63 mercury with a steel tank the ole girl finally died and I bought a new 4 stroke motor and it came with a plastic tank. I like it better because it is much quieter in the bottom of the boat. Also the corrosion resistance is another plus. Any outboard dealer should be able to get you a new tank and I am sure it would be much more durable than anything walmart sells.

heck I had a 63 mercury with a steel tank the ole girl finally died and I bought a new 4 stroke motor and it came with a plastic tank. I like it better because it is much quieter in the bottom of the boat. Also the corrosion resistance is another plus. Any outboard dealer should be able to get you a new tank and I am sure it would be much more durable than anything walmart sells.

I have both kinds...steel and plastic. The reason I like steel is when sitting in the sun all day, they have a relief valve that bleeds off pressure created by the heat. Most plastic tanks (maybe all) don't seem to have that feature and just swell up unless you have one with the vent in the cap that you have to open. That's fine except when you leave it open and you have a downpour that nite you have a chance of getting water in your tank. That I don't like.

My plastic tank has a screw in the filler cap that you turn open to relieve any pressure in the tank. I used to have a steel tank for a while but it ended up rusting and leaving a rust stain on the carpet of my boat. I find that my plastic tank fits better under the splashwell on my transom, too.