I cannot attest to the sock preventing water from being drawn into the pick-up, but a friend of mine who has been a Ford Technician since the early 1980s, told me that it was not unusual for a Ford vehicle [trucks, too] to come in under warranty with the sock being plugged up. Instead of dropping the gas tank, the accepted procedure was to remove the gas cap and disconnect the fuel line just before the fuel pump. A small burst of compressed air was blown back toward the tank and the sock would be blown off and left in the tank. An inline fuel filter was then installed as mentioned previously.

 

Very interesting. I would love to see the TSB on that procedure.

The sock and the float were totally deteriorated on both my tanks. I thought I would find evidence of them in the tanks but nothing.

 

So, it sounds to me like some previous owner removed them?

How is the sock/filter going to prevent excess moisture from being ingested? Those things lead the pickup tube to the bottom of the tank... where the water would be, seeing as how fuel would float on it.

 

Well I know I read somewhere that the material on the new filter socks provide moisture control. Maybe it was just an internet myth, but anyways I cannot find the article I read before.

I'll forget about installing the filter socks and just install an inline filter.

 

I was told of 1aauto.com and where I got my 2 senders for my 81 F100 w/300 six.


The only thing they list for 1986 F250 is for a 5.0 motor and not for both tanks.
1986 Ford F250 Truck Fuel Sending Unit | Replacement 1986 Ford F250 Truck Fuel Tank Level Sensors | 1986 Ford F250 Truck Fuel Gauge Sender Units | Aftermarket 1986 Ford F250 Truck Fuel Sender Units At 1A Auto


So lets say you cant get new first thing is to check if yours works before we look for socks & floats.
Ohm out the 2 senders and if they are both good the rest is down hill.


You can get new socks thru Ford and think maybe Summit racing. You would need to know the tube size the sock will fit. IIRC they come in 5/16" & 3/8"


I have also seen floats for senders some place.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sww-836092


Try Google & Rock Auto for the parts needed like the sock/screen (I only find foot filters) and maybe senders.
Dave ----

 

Oh as said you can run with out the sock just use a filter before pump & after.


BTW how would the (stock) know if the liquid is water or fuel?
It did not and why you would get frozen fuel lines in winter and water in carbs.
Dave ----

 

I don't know how or why it works, but sometimes a fine screen will not pass water. My Dad has a large galvanized metal funnel for fueling, and it has a fine screen down in the bottom of it. As you are pour fuel in, if it has any water in it you can see it bead up and roll around on top of the screen, for some reason it doesn't want to go through.

 

Because of the surface tension of water, filters/screens can be made hydrophobic.

Thus not allowing water through.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

Finally got around to working on the truck. Removed the bed, had to grind 4 of the 6 bolts. Cleaned and painted the rear frame. Installed the rear tank. Installed a new mechanical fuel pump, not fun getting to those bolts. Had to drain and refill coolant and remove oil filter. Installed new fuel lines and connectors. Cleaned grounds and new battery cables. New belts. New fuel filter and cranked for 2-10 second intervals. Started right up and purrrrred like a kitten.