1979 E-150 Fuel Sending Unit Help

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Sep 12, 2013 | 03:32 PM

Clem's Cousin

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From: Portland, OR

1979 E-150 Fuel Sending Unit Help

Hi. I have a low mileage, short wheelbase 1979 E-150 van that has an ahead-of-the-axle 18 gallon fuel tank. No one makes a replacement fuel tank sending unit for this, only for the rear 22 gallon tanks that were on long wheelbase vans. They are not interchangeable. Believe me, I bought one and already checked. The fuel pick up was an inch and a half too short and it's tube was 5/16" dia. instead of 3/8". At least four companies make replacement fuel tanks but no sending units.

So far I haven't been able to find a used one either on the internet or calling locally out of the yellow pages. Auto restoration places weren't much help. I did find a company 3000 miles away in New York state that specializes in rebuilding these and I might wind up doing that. I don't know what else to do.

Sep 12, 2013 | 07:45 PM

LSxEconoline

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interested in what you find, seeing as how my system sounds like **** and i stall every so often.

Sep 12, 2013 | 08:08 PM

Clem's Cousin

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From: Portland, OR

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSxEconoline

interested in what you find, seeing as how my system sounds like **** and i stall every so often.

That's what happened to me. You probably have a lot of rust in your gas tank. My fuel gauge stopped working too. What I found in the tank was unreal, like sand and gravel - only rust. So now I have a shiny, new tank but I really want a gas gauge that works...

Sep 12, 2013 | 10:17 PM

econolinemanor

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You might check Broncograveyard.com, they list a sidemount sending unit for F 150 pn#20334 with a short arm?

Sep 13, 2013 | 09:30 AM

LSxEconoline

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Clem's Cousin

I really hope there is not a beach in my tanks. What tanks did you go with?

Sep 13, 2013 | 03:37 PM

Clem's Cousin

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I bought a Spectra Premium tank from AutoZone | Auto Parts & Accessories | Repair Guides & More They usually give you a 20% discount if you order online, use their discount code, and have it home delivered. Free shipping on orders $75 or more. Also, http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/is a good source. They have a larger selection of tanks to choose from. And then there's always your local parts stores but they have to order the stuff.

When I drained my tank instead of sticking the siphon hose in the gas tank I disconnected the rubber fuel hose from the back of the fuel pump and stuck the siphon bulb into that, then put a clear vinyl tube on the outlet side of the bulb. That pulled the gas from the tank's fuel pickup tube sock strainer and let me see what the engine was getting from the tank. The first few ounces of gas was like mud, full of fine rust sediment. It cleared up after it began to trickle out. That technique gets more gas out than sticking a hose in the tank too.

Sep 13, 2013 | 03:53 PM

Clem's Cousin

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Found NOS Part

I can't believe it. I just ordered a NOS (new original stock) sending unit that "Number Dummy" (Bill) at https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-any-info.html found for me. He found 4 of them at 3 different sources. I bought the last one that the source in Texas had. It was expensive, about $190.

I've spent 2 weeks in a fruitless search with a dead truck on the driveway. I sure hope this works out. It should now.