Went to a Early Ford Parts place that parts out out trucks. I was trying to find a brace & lever for the cowl vent. He had one & it was only 20 bucks. That really made my day. Went home to play with the 53. I just got a new gas tank from LMC. The problem, The old tank has 1/4" ID pickup tube. The new tank has a smaller bung. Tha ID is about 3/16. Whats with that ?? Might feed a 6 or flathead
But I have a 289 ??? Might have to make a new pickup tube ?? what you think ??

 

Can you drill out and re-tap the existing bung? I think lawnmowers use 3/16"....

 

NO, I think if I drill I will lose the pickup tube in the tank.

 

Is the bung welded or soldered in?

 

Very good question. I'm going to guess soldered I don't see any weld. Will check it out Monday. Will clean off the new paint & throw a little heat to the bung. Thanks

 

And if you screw up the tank when you heat it, you are stuck with it. Why not contact LMC and see what they recommend. Maybe they can take it back and get you the right one.

Later!
Mr. Ed

 

I will contact LMC in the Monday AM. I can make a new pickup tube & mounting bung if I have to, I can make a new pickup tube thru the sending unit base plate.

 

I think I remember reading in the Mid Fifty catalog a warning that the new tanks have a different sized pickup tube.

 

Well I contacted LMC this morning. What a waste of time. She said that they have no Tech Dept & that I should contact someone local for my problem. I purchased a gas tank from them for my 53.Problem being that the pickup up tube is smaller in Dia for gas flow, Contacted Tanks Inc, very helpful. They have a pickup tube with mounting flange that will fix the problemThey also sell a adaptor from a 6 hole stock Ford to a 5 hole for aftermarket sending unit . Happy camper now