Hi,


I'm relatively new to the forum, but I have relied heavily on everyone's advice as I fix up an 84 f-250 I bought a few months ago. Thanks for all the help so far!!


My next project is to dive into the passenger side fuel tank. The truck was sitting in a barn for over 10 years when I bought it, and the side tank was never used. From the gnarly smell coming from inside the tank, I'm guessing it's all gummed up and I'm going to replace the tank and sending unit.


This seems to be a pretty straight forward job, but I'm worried about the lines to/from the tank to the engine. I only switched over to the tank once and the engine began to die pretty quickly. I've since avoided using it, not sure what's going to get sucked into the engine if I try.


How do you all recommend I tackle the fuel lines? Should I try to flush them out or just replace them front to back? I'm clueless when it comes to fuel systems in general, so any and all advice is greatly appreciated!


Luke

 

Not knowing how the line(s) are set up I am guessing there is a "Y" some place the 2 tanks join up. That maybe at the switch valve?
So you would only need to replace the line(s) from the bad tank to this "Y" and not the full front to back set as you are using some of it now.


The safe thing would be to replace the line(s) from that bad tank to the "Y" but again if it has not been used (much) maybe a good flush would do?
I would make sure I ran a fuel filter before the carb to catch any junk just in case.
Dave ----

 

Thanks, I'll make sure to get a good filter in and get the lines from the selector back replaced.

 

Luke - Welcome to FTE! You didn't say what engine you have, but I assumed it is a gas engine, not a diesel, and the illustrations for those fuel systems are here on my web site: 1980-84 F-Series & Bronco - Gary's Garagemahal.

Yours would have either the 17 or 19 gallon midship tank, but both of those are shown to be on the left or driver's side of the truck. In fact, I've never seen one on the passenger's side like you said you have. Usually the exhaust runs down the right/passenger's side and the tank is on the left/driver's side. So, if yours is on the right then things will be different.

As for the "Y", it is actually a solenoid valve and usually sits roughly below the driver on the inside of the left frame rail. It is not showing in those illustrations but is depicted in the Electrical & Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual (EVTM) at the bottom right of Page 100 here: Fuel Tank Selector & Gauges - Gary's Garagemahal. However, if your tank is on the right, I'm not sure where the solenoid valve is.

But, I agree with Dave - I would squirt brake cleaner in and then blow the lines out with compressed air to clean them out - but don't put the brake cleaner through the solenoid valve. The junk is surely in the tank and not the valve, so I don't see a need to replace them.

 

Thanks Gary!


That's my mistake, I meant to say driver's side . It's a 460 4x4 (The same one that was on the Colorado Craigslist thread a few months back. I bought "G" from a man in Denver a few weeks ago). Love the truck, the interior is nearly perfect. After a some new tranny and valve cover gaskets, new plugs, and a rebuilt carb and rear end, she runs 80 down the highway without breaking a sweat. I'll be pulling a camper from Colorado to Montana in July, so I really need the tank to get the range I need for such a long trip. I'm struggling with the search function, so thanks so much for putting so much good information in one post! Hopefully I can get the new tank in within the next week or so!