Well, I filled the front tank for the first time since I bought the truck, and now I see why the PO only used the rear tank. Seems I have a leak towards the top of the tank.

So two questions...

I have found several replacement steel tanks, but are there any plastic ones that fit? Steel is ok, but it will probably rust through like the original one.

It seems the tank selector switch is not working. It will only draw from the rear tank. I found one replacement valve but it is a universal unit, not the original style, and would require new wires. Any ideas? Junkyard my only option? Has anyone "fixed" their selector switch? Banged on it till it moved?

I pulled the fuel line running from the front tank to the selector and put an electric pump in and pumped out about 5 gallons to all my available gas jugs(mower/trimmer/etc). I was going to put it in the wifes car, but it is rusty as heck, so not going into her newer fuel injected car. If I can get the selector valve to work, I could use up that fuel (while getting another filter or 2). But in the meantime, I think I have it below the hole in the tank.

 

MTS COMPANY, L.C. - Plastic fuel tanks for Jeep, Ford, Chevy, Scout, ******, and Toyota

But they're expensive as I recall. I'd just get a metal one, it'll last longer than the remaining
life of the truck as a whole.

Plenty of info here on tank selector valve:
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Search Results

 

My valve isn't working either, so I bypassed it and am using only the front tank. Haven't done any troubleshooting on the valve yet, but I'm hoping it is only an electrical issue and that the valve isn't getting told to switch. So, I'd suggest you put a meter on the wire to the valve and see if the switch, wiring, and fuse are working.

 

I will probably get a metal tank and paint it good, maybe put sealer on the inside.

What was I thinking wanting a fuel tank that wouldn't rust. Especially on a truck that is rusting as we speak.

NPD has a replacement valve that looks almost identical to the original. Going to do some testing tomorrow to make sure I need it first.

 

Bwahahaahahhahaha!!!

 

I was also thinking that there needs to be filters before the selector valve. With the amount of crap/rust that came out of my front tank, that crap could easily clog the selector valve.

 

Bronco Graveyard has Plastic tanks for 139 each (rear or side tanks) Regular steel ones are about 20-25 bucks cheaper

 

both my tanks were rusted out when i bought my truck. i bought metal replacements from advance and sprayed them with some rubber undercoat before i installed them back in the truck.

 

The pickup tube in the tanks normally have filters attached to the ends but in my
experience they disintegrate over time and sometimes have actually fallen off the
tubes.

 

The screen was rusted off on my front tank, and I couldn't find a replacement locally. So, we put a large chain in the tank along w/a gallon or so of gas and shook the tank. Poured the gas, and all the junk, out and poured in another gallon of gas. After about 6 passes the tank appeared to be clean.

So, I'm running with a reasonably clean tank and no screen. But, I have also been thinking about placing a filter ahead of the valve. Any thoughts?