fuel tank differences
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New User
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From: Normandy,TN
fuel tank differences
I have a couple questions about the differences in the fuel tanks for an 84' and an 85' LB. The 84' i got the used tank off of had a smaller opening and a smaller sending unit. I wanted to know if this is because it is a 16 gallon tank instead of 19 gallons or because of the year difference. I know the connector is different but if I get a sending unit for a 16 gallon 85' tank i want to be sure it will work. Of course I could change the plug on my truck to fit the tank but I was looking for suggestions from you guys. Thanks.
Elder User
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From: Norman, Ar
I have a couple questions about the differences in the fuel tanks for an 84' and an 85' LB. The 84' i got the used tank off of had a smaller opening and a smaller sending unit. I wanted to know if this is because it is a 16 gallon tank instead of 19 gallons or because of the year difference. I know the connector is different but if I get a sending unit for a 16 gallon 85' tank i want to be sure it will work. Of course I could change the plug on my truck to fit the tank but I was looking for suggestions from you guys. Thanks.
If so which tank are you referring to. Front(midship) or rear(aft)
If you have just the single tank, you can probably make the 16 gal one work.
The sending units (good ones) cost as much or more than the tanks.
If your tank is bad but the sending unit is good, I would replace the original tank. I think they are less than 100$.
I have a 85 and it has the 2 (19 gal) tanks. I did replace one(midship)and bought OEM sending unit/pickup tube.
Some of the aftermarket(cheapo) sending units are trash and you will be replacing it more often than OEM units.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
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16 gallon (16.5 if I remember right) typically came on the short bed trucks, mounted mid-ship along the frame.
18 or 19 gallon, typically came on the long bed trucks, mounted mid-ship along the frame.
I think the sending unit size depends partly on what motor the truck had that had that tank. For instance, an 84 with a computer controlled carburetor and a 300 inline-6 just has a siphon tube and a sending unit mounted in the tank, with a low pressure mechanical pump mounted on the block.
Whereas a 302 with EFI from 85 would probably have a higher pressure fuel pump, and the pump was probably mounted either in tank or along the frame rails (I don't know if I'm right on this or not so don't quote me <-- ).
If you've got a 16 gallon, it's a short bed. 18 or 19 gallon is a long bed.
Someone should be along here shortly to help.
What size bed is on your truck now?
18 or 19 gallon, typically came on the long bed trucks, mounted mid-ship along the frame.
I think the sending unit size depends partly on what motor the truck had that had that tank. For instance, an 84 with a computer controlled carburetor and a 300 inline-6 just has a siphon tube and a sending unit mounted in the tank, with a low pressure mechanical pump mounted on the block.
Whereas a 302 with EFI from 85 would probably have a higher pressure fuel pump, and the pump was probably mounted either in tank or along the frame rails (I don't know if I'm right on this or not so don't quote me <-- ).
If you've got a 16 gallon, it's a short bed. 18 or 19 gallon is a long bed.
Someone should be along here shortly to help.
What size bed is on your truck now?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
I have a couple questions about the differences in the fuel tanks for an 84' and an 85' LB. The 84' i got the used tank off of had a smaller opening and a smaller sending unit. I wanted to know if this is because it is a 16 gallon tank instead of 19 gallons or because of the year difference. I know the connector is different but if I get a sending unit for a 16 gallon 85' tank i want to be sure it will work. Of course I could change the plug on my truck to fit the tank but I was looking for suggestions from you guys. Thanks.
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New User
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From: Normandy,TN
Mine is a long bed with dual tanks. It has a blue plastic fuel line where the other is a rubber line. I was out working on the tank cleaning it up and found a couple small holes in it anyway. I will probably just get an aftermmarket for it but i need to get a sending unit too. I appreciate the advice guys and now I know the difference between the two years. I hope that the gravel shield I have will work.
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From: Normandy,TN
Gary, I am going out tommorrow to look for another tank and i want to know whether or not it being a 250 would have any bearing on difference in gas tanks. Can i safely assume that a tank from a 85 or 86 f150,250, or 350 would be the correct one as long as it was the side tank on a long wb with dual tanks. these years should have the larger opening for the sending unit on both of them. Is this right?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The later tanks, like your '85, had a larger opening to allow an in-tank pump to be installed. You can make either type tank work if you have the right sending unit and don't need the in-tank pump. But, at some point Ford also changed the type of fuel line that was used, going from a rubber hose to a plastic tube, and I think that was done in conjunction with the change from small to large openings - but I'm not sure. Anyway, you may have to adapt the fuel line to fit the fittings on the sending unit.
Impossible question to answer, unless you wanna spend hours typing the myriad part numbers/differences/applications.So why bother? Post the following instead: Text ~ Section 90 ~ Pages 1 & 2
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FTE Legend
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From: Northeast, OK
Thanks, RB. As you know, I'm on the road and can't post those pages. Good job. I would rep you, but I'm still a curmudgeon and can't. Hopefully someone with clout will - as well as Invest.
And thanks, ND, for the section and page info. I agree that's the only way to do this - give the OP the capability to answer his/her own question. In fact, we need a sticky with those pages and just refer people there.
Invest - You'll soon see why it is wise to give you the capability of answering your own question. We would be playing Twenty Questions all day given all the variables involved. So, have at it and please don't forget to reward the two that have helped you - RB and ND.
And thanks, ND, for the section and page info. I agree that's the only way to do this - give the OP the capability to answer his/her own question. In fact, we need a sticky with those pages and just refer people there.
Invest - You'll soon see why it is wise to give you the capability of answering your own question. We would be playing Twenty Questions all day given all the variables involved. So, have at it and please don't forget to reward the two that have helped you - RB and ND.
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From: Norman, Ar
Thanks, RB. As you know, I'm on the road and can't post those pages. Good job. I would rep you, but I'm still a curmudgeon and can't. Hopefully someone with clout will - as well as Invest.
And thanks, ND, for the section and page info. I agree that's the only way to do this - give the OP the capability to answer his/her own question. In fact, we need a sticky with those pages and just refer people there.
Invest - You'll soon see why it is wise to give you the capability of answering your own question. We would be playing Twenty Questions all day given all the variables involved. So, have at it and please don't forget to reward the two that have helped you - RB and ND.
And thanks, ND, for the section and page info. I agree that's the only way to do this - give the OP the capability to answer his/her own question. In fact, we need a sticky with those pages and just refer people there.
Invest - You'll soon see why it is wise to give you the capability of answering your own question. We would be playing Twenty Questions all day given all the variables involved. So, have at it and please don't forget to reward the two that have helped you - RB and ND.
I can't believe how helpful everyone is.
Be careful on your way home. Enjoy the Family..Trav
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From: Virginia
Gary, I am going out tommorrow to look for another tank and i want to know whether or not it being a 250 would have any bearing on difference in gas tanks. Can i safely assume that a tank from a 85 or 86 f150,250, or 350 would be the correct one as long as it was the side tank on a long wb with dual tanks. these years should have the larger opening for the sending unit on both of them. Is this right?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
Thanks. And, will do. Am sitting in the dark ready to go, but my 11 month old grandtwins aren't up yet and I'm NOT leaving without seeing them. No way, Jose.
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