Replacing rear tank. Need advice
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Seems to. It leaks until I get to 1/2 tank then, of course at 1/4 it runs out. So, out of 18/19, I gut to use about 4. And the other set up is giving me running trouble, so I thought I'd better fix the and then diagnose the front tank.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: Portland OR
I've also been curious about the difference between gas and diesel fuel tanks. Other people (possibly in the sticky threads) have said that the pickup lines in the tank rot and fall apart, thus the running out at 1/4 tank.
something that I want to eventually do is get a 38gal rear tank:
http://shop.broncograveyard.com/mobile/Fuel-Tank-Rear-38-Gallon/products/2048/
something that I want to eventually do is get a 38gal rear tank:
http://shop.broncograveyard.com/mobile/Fuel-Tank-Rear-38-Gallon/products/2048/
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 7
Honestly, I'm thinking yank the bed. Not too hard, and then you have top access to both tanks, lines, selector valve etc. You can also fix any other issues you can while there(things like bushings on the leaf spring comes to mind) as well as giving things a coat of paint if you can.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
The pickup line itself usually doesn't rot out. You're running out at 1/4 tank because the pickup strainer, aka "showerhead" has broken or fallen off. Replacement is available on Amazon, etc. for $30-ish. The line that it attaches to generally lasts. The pickup/sender assembly usually holds up, too, but you can pretty-much count on destroying the lock ring upon attempting to remove it. The new fuel tank SHOULD come with a new lock ring, but make sure it's there before you begin ops.
What sort of trouble are you having with the front tank?
What sort of trouble are you having with the front tank?
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 7
gasser tanks and sending units work just fine after you delete the in tank fuel pump and extend the pick up.
I have a 33 gal tank out of a 89 F350 gasser in my 87
I have a 33 gal tank out of a 89 F350 gasser in my 87
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 1
From: Agassiz, BC Canada
This may or may not answer all your questions, just my experience with replacing fuel tanks. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15464451 . When it comes to the fuel systems Ford made a lot of little changes from year to year and model to model which makes getting the exact replacement parts challenging. If you know what you are doing a lot of parts can be modified or adapted to work.
While you could certainly change tanks without removing the bed, in my opinion it is far easier to work on things with the bed off. The bed is not hard to remove.
While you could certainly change tanks without removing the bed, in my opinion it is far easier to work on things with the bed off. The bed is not hard to remove.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
shorerider, excellent article on tank replacement. great detailed photos and welding. One thing I noticed in yours was your handmade pickup looked like the screen would sit flush with the bottom and was not raised 1/8" to 1/4" from bottom of tank like the OEM design for passage of fuel to the screen. Next, I didn't see a bypass valve on the pickup module. I thought this may be important to point out for other readers to consider when following your method.
regarding the fuel pickup I noticed that the original pickup has a screen that is elevated about 1/8" and has a bypass valve that opens up when the screen becomes clogged. The bypass valve is higher than the pickup screen so could this be an indication that the screen is clogged when the tank seems to run out at 1/4 tank?
There's not a lot mentioned about the pickup in repair manuals and in the parts stores, but I did find replacements online and I need to check my front tank for this problem. New to me used van, rear tank worked, but when I switched to the front tank, it died and the gauge is at 1/4.
regarding the fuel pickup I noticed that the original pickup has a screen that is elevated about 1/8" and has a bypass valve that opens up when the screen becomes clogged. The bypass valve is higher than the pickup screen so could this be an indication that the screen is clogged when the tank seems to run out at 1/4 tank?
There's not a lot mentioned about the pickup in repair manuals and in the parts stores, but I did find replacements online and I need to check my front tank for this problem. New to me used van, rear tank worked, but when I switched to the front tank, it died and the gauge is at 1/4.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 5
I belive the v8 gas trucks had the exact same tank, some sending units can be swapped.
86-older fuel gauges reads backwards compared to a 87-newer.
So in my 85 the rear tank has a 86 460 rear sending unit as the outlet and return are the same size as the diesel, now if you have 87+ truck you want a 87 460 sending unit as they were still carbureted. No pump to delete or anything. The only thing different is the fuel gauge plug of which you can either buy a new pigtail or salvage one.
just thought I'd add this for anyone who is having trouble finding a sending unit. 460 units go for +-$60 on rockauto
86-older fuel gauges reads backwards compared to a 87-newer.
So in my 85 the rear tank has a 86 460 rear sending unit as the outlet and return are the same size as the diesel, now if you have 87+ truck you want a 87 460 sending unit as they were still carbureted. No pump to delete or anything. The only thing different is the fuel gauge plug of which you can either buy a new pigtail or salvage one.
just thought I'd add this for anyone who is having trouble finding a sending unit. 460 units go for +-$60 on rockauto
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 1
From: Agassiz, BC Canada
shorerider, excellent article on tank replacement. great detailed photos and welding. One thing I noticed in yours was your handmade pickup looked like the screen would sit flush with the bottom and was not raised 1/8" to 1/4" from bottom of tank like the OEM design for passage of fuel to the screen. Next, I didn't see a bypass valve on the pickup module. I thought this may be important to point out for other readers to consider when following your method.
regarding the fuel pickup I noticed that the original pickup has a screen that is elevated about 1/8" and has a bypass valve that opens up when the screen becomes clogged. The bypass valve is higher than the pickup screen so could this be an indication that the screen is clogged when the tank seems to run out at 1/4 tank?
There's not a lot mentioned about the pickup in repair manuals and in the parts stores, but I did find replacements online and I need to check my front tank for this problem. New to me used van, rear tank worked, but when I switched to the front tank, it died and the gauge is at 1/4.
regarding the fuel pickup I noticed that the original pickup has a screen that is elevated about 1/8" and has a bypass valve that opens up when the screen becomes clogged. The bypass valve is higher than the pickup screen so could this be an indication that the screen is clogged when the tank seems to run out at 1/4 tank?
There's not a lot mentioned about the pickup in repair manuals and in the parts stores, but I did find replacements online and I need to check my front tank for this problem. New to me used van, rear tank worked, but when I switched to the front tank, it died and the gauge is at 1/4.
The screen does sit up off the bottom of the tank slightly, it took a bunch of measuring and bit of trial and error. Looking at the original with the little feet I would imagine that the primary purpose was to keep the suction head from vacuuming itself to the bottom of the tank which is not likely to happen with the metal unit.
Interestingly enough the "correct" diesel unit in the rear wouldn't fit in the tank, I had to tweak the pick up tube since it was sitting on the bottom before the sender would lock into place.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jpcnorthwood
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
24
Aug 28, 2024 07:29 PM
minimalist
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Apr 28, 2019 08:04 AM
Bunger1348
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
5
Oct 19, 2014 08:17 AM
DavidHenshaw
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Oct 21, 2006 12:12 PM