I am getting ready to order a new gas tank for my 54 F250. LMC is $179.95 plus extra $20 for shipping. Midfifty is $245 plus $12.50 shipping so will probably order from LMC. Has anyone seen a better price?
My question is Midfifty shows the gas tank pickup fitting, which I plan to order, but no one as far as I can see shows the actual pickup tube that goes into the tank. Is this a separate piece or does it come as part of the tank? If separate, how does it come out, and where can it be ordered from. I want to have everything I need so I don't have to take the tank back out later.

 

I just recently bought my gas tank from Midfifty. I needed the fitting to hook the gas line to. The pickup tube is already in the tank. I don't know if the LMC tank is different or not though.

I bought the drain plug but that wasn't needed because the tank had one already.

 

Most of the '53-'55 tanks are from the same manufacturer. The pick up tube is built into the tanks, as it was in the originals. Also, there is a brass 45 degree fitting that threads into the top of the tank for the flared gas line. This fitting is bigger on the new tanks. (I think all of them) If you want to use the original size gas line you will need a new fitting or will need to get a reducer. I don't remember the size but you should find them at a good hardware store.

Read the description of the tank carefully when you order. Most of the tanks are configured for the original style sending unit and use an adapter plate for the new style unit. A few of the tanks are configured for the new style sending unit only.

 

For that much difference in price, I'd be curious to know if it's the same tank, or an inferior one? Sure, I'd be happy saving $50 as much as the next guy, but not at the expense of buying crap, something incomplete and needing to buy $75 worth of extra stuff to make it work, or will rust out in 6 months because they didn't use coated metal to build it. Just some food for thought.

 

I ended up getting the tank from LMC. Seems pretty heavy duty metal. It appears to be already painted. Anyone else ordered one? My guess is they are probably all manufactured by same place.

 

Started working on the gas tank today. Old tank was leaking around the fitting for the pickup tube to fuel line. Looks like someone had attempted to solder the tank at one time, but didn't last. Figured out I had to take off the rear running board bracket to drop the tank. While I have it out I am replacing the cab to frame bushings so won't have the tank back in for a while.

 

By the way, I contacted LMC and their response on if the tank needs to be painted is, no it can be installed as is with the coating it has on it.

 

Don't forget we always price match as long as it the same part or same quality

 

Wish I had known that, I got some of the other fuel parts from Midfifty.

 

Make sure you replace the fuel sending unit's gasket.

C1TF-9276-A (replaced 68-9276) .. Fuel Sending Unit Gasket / Reproduced

Applications: 1936/48 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars; 1936/47 commercials (1/2 ton trucks); 1938/55 trucks; 1956/77 trucks with in-cab fuel tank.

I couldn't find any NOS in NE, the closest source that has 8 is Klimesh Motor Sales in Calmar IA (563-562-3241).

btw: I've dealt with Felix Bedlan, I surmise you have too.

 

Yes, I know the Bedlans well. I have the gasket for the sending unit. I plan to use the old sending unit as it was working ok when I took it out of the old tank. It shows some mild rust around the top, I imagine from moisture getting in the tank when it sat for years. Hopefully I can clean it up ok. The center contact for the negative wire (positive ground 6V) is a little loose, is that common?