Fuel selector valve

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Dec 30, 2010 | 09:05 PM

ebodell

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From: Southwest Iowa

Fuel selector valve

I just purchased an '85 F150 with the 300 cid six and 4 speed OD trans. The truck is well optioned and has dual fuel tanks. Unfortunately the fuel selector valve has been removed and simply bypassed with a couple of fittings. I repaired the leak at the fittings but I would ultimately like to replace this set up with the correct system (so that I can use both tanks). I understand that there were a couple of selector valves available in 1985 but I am not sure which one would have been on the truck originally. I looked in the local boneyards but they did not have a truck close enough to mine to offer any insight. The fuel gauge is not working as well and I assume this is related as there were two electrical connections that were unplugged with no visible locations to terminate them to (I assume they were connected to the selector valve). Does anyone have any input as to which valve may have been in the truck originally? Obviously the truck is not fuel injected.

Overall the truck is solid for a Midwestern vehicle and is very original with little to no modifications made to it. It runs and drives very well and should make a good work truck.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Dec 31, 2010 | 09:41 AM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

If you have some large plugs down at the frame where the valve was, and you have;

A yellow/white wire

yellow/lightblue

darkblue/yellow

red

and brown/white

Then you had the motorized selector valve that switched the sending units also. I find this unusual, since you really only need the plain soleniod type valve for a carbed truck with the fuel pump on the engine, but you never can predict what Ford did back then.

Verify if you have these wires down where the valve went.

Dec 31, 2010 | 12:04 PM

ebodell

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From: Southwest Iowa

Thank you for the feedback. Once the freezing rain stops I will crawl under the truck and take look.
Thanks again for the reply.

Dec 31, 2010 | 12:36 PM

JimsRebel

Cargo Master

Joined: Mar 2008

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From: Washington

.
.

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The top picture is the stock selector valve on my 86, what I think you also had. This style was used when ford switched to plastic fuel lines. It is a lot harder to find and more expensive.
The lower photo is used in older trucks and cost about $25 new at the auto parts store. You will need to buy an adapter to go from plastic line to rubber fuel lines. Both style are engerized when drawing from the front tank. The single wire connector uses a case ground.
Jim

Dec 31, 2010 | 12:50 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

The lower picture is what my 80 had with a carbed 302 and dual fuel tanks. In that system, the sending unit switching is done at the dash switch, and the dash switch also sends one 12v signal to the frame unit to make it switch back and forth from front to rear tanks.

Jan 1, 2011 | 07:56 PM

ebodell

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From: Southwest Iowa

Thank you Jim and Dave for your replies. I crawled under the truck and I am confident that I had the selector valve in the top photo in Jim's reply (based upon the remaining artifacts on the frame rail). Still way to cold here (10F) to lay on cold concrete to do much with it right now but I have an idea of what parts to gather.
I appreciate the help. I am new to the forum but already have learned quite a bit. Looks like another project will be converting the feedback carb to a Duraspark 2 setup.
Thanks again for your help and Happy New Year to all.
Erik

Jan 6, 2011 | 01:27 AM

NumberDummy

Ford Parts Specialist

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 88,826

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From: Simi Valley, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebodell

I just purchased an '85 F150 300 I-6, 4 speed OD with dual fuel tanks.

Welcome to FTE

E5TZ9189A .. Fuel Tank Selector Valve-3 ports / Use with single line fuel system / Marked: E57B-9F271-AA / Available from Ford.

Fits: 1985/86 F150/350 I-6/V8 (gas) / 1986/89 E150/250 300/351W under 8500 lbs. GVW / 1986/89 E250/350 460 / 1985/86 Ranger 2.3L (gas) & V6.

MSRP: $128.43 // FTE sponsor PARTSGUYED.COM price: $92.47.
--------------------------------------------------------------
E5TZ9189B .. Fuel Tank Selector Valve-6 ports / Use with dual fuel line system / Marked: E57B-9F271-BA or E67B-9F271-AA / Available from Ford.

Fits: 1985/86 F150/350 I-6 & V8 (except 6.9L diesel) / 1985 E/F250/350 6.9L diesel / 1985/86 Ranger 2.3L (gas); 2.3L (diesel); 2.8L/2.9L V6.

Fits: 1986 E150/250 302 / 1986 E250/350 351W/460.

This POS valve has been a troublesome terd since these trucks were brand new! Prolly every vehicle the little darlin' fits, has had it replaced...at least once.

MSRP: $227.17 // FTE sponsor PARTSGUYED.COM price: $163.56.