1981 selector valve kaput?
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1981 selector valve kaput?
Hi all, new to the forum and pretty new to older fords. Got an '81 150 with something or several somethings wrong in the fuel system: my forward tank leaks badly so I've been only filling the rear. Unfortunately this thing keeps filling the forward tank within a short period of time. I see a lot of people have this issue with 90's era 150s with in-tank pumps, but as far as I know this truck only has the mechanical pump. Am I way off base in assuming that my selector valve is internally effed? Just don't want to drop the $50 if I'm missing something obvious...Thanks in advance for any ideas
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Welcome to FTE. 
Assuming you have a mechanical fuel pump and everything is still in a factory configuration, then the only place those two tanks connect is at that selector valve. You might be able to disassemble and clean it... hook it up to a battery and see if the thing is even trying to work, first. Default position with no power being applied is the rear tank IIRC.
Assuming you have a mechanical fuel pump and everything is still in a factory configuration, then the only place those two tanks connect is at that selector valve. You might be able to disassemble and clean it... hook it up to a battery and see if the thing is even trying to work, first. Default position with no power being applied is the rear tank IIRC.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Do you really need two tanks? When my selector valve went bad I decided I didn't, and took the valve out and plumbed the front tank straight to the front.
The tank rusting out is a common problem also, you can get a new tank for a reasonable price at the auto parts stores. The next thing that's going to go is the sending unit for the gauge, so you might as well spring for a new tank, a new sending unit, and plumb that straight to the front and you should be good to go. I would put a new fuel filter on it, those rusty tanks like to send rust particles up front and they like to mess up your filter and your carb.
The tank rusting out is a common problem also, you can get a new tank for a reasonable price at the auto parts stores. The next thing that's going to go is the sending unit for the gauge, so you might as well spring for a new tank, a new sending unit, and plumb that straight to the front and you should be good to go. I would put a new fuel filter on it, those rusty tanks like to send rust particles up front and they like to mess up your filter and your carb.
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