Temporary Fuel System
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Trailering
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
Temporary Fuel System
Looking at maybe getting an 86' F-250 4wd with two gas tanks and a 460 obviously. The current owner says it has sat and needs a fuel pump. I'm guessing it has two electric pumps; one in each tank. This truck is about two hours away from.me though. Not being the best mechanic and not having the luxury of setting there trouble shooting or hauling truck with a trailer, is thinking of rigging up a temporary fuel system of sorts. I was thinking I could get a ten- fifteen gallon fuel cell, inline external pump, a 100 micron and 10 micron filter, and some fuel line and filters and make a functional temporary solution in order to drive truck a couple of hours to my house where I could work out the issue in my free time. I can get what I would need presumably for a couple hundred bucks. The truck looks to be in pretty good shape for 38 years old. I've always loved that body style and think the value is there on multiple levels and that it would make a good work truck. Is this a feasible solution or temporary fix of all else is in order on the truck (fluids, ignition, tires)?
Thanks
-jerry
Thanks
-jerry
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,248
Only two hours away I'd probably have it towed to where I'd be working on it. Unless you are sure about the fuel system I wouldn't guess. By the time you figure in rigging up temp systems plus your mileage it probably is only a little more to have it towed.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
5 gallon can in the trunk and rubber hose or what ever to a pump and carb and down the road you go
I would also carry a 5 gallon can of fuel as 15 gallons will not get you far with a 460 in my book.
How long has the truck been sitting?
I might try and add the electric pump to 1 of the trucks tank if the gas is only say a year to 2 old and give that a shot but it would be after looking over the truck first.
Dave ----
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 774
Likes: 104
From: Elk Grove Village, IL
If you have a tow vehicle, you can rent a trailer from U-Haul for pretty cheap, even with drop off charge. I just did that and towed an F-100 from central Illinois to Chicago-land. I think it cost $108 with drop off and insurance. The 'vehicle transport' comes will ratcheting tie-downs that capture the front tires. I used a second set to hold the rear axle. All-in-all it's a pretty cheap way to transport a vehicle, provided you have a U-Haul location close-by and a tow vehicle.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 194
Likes: 76
From: SW Connecticut
I'm no expert but i would have to agree with Big Blue. Two hours away is approx 120 miles. Even at $2/mile you are at $240 to have this dropped in your driveway. IDK how much it would cost to purchase all the components you are describing but how much does peace of mind figure into it? You are taking a gamble that the carb is clean, the tires are roadworthy, the engine oil doesn't look like choc milk, the belts wont split, etc. As someone who is working through a truck that sat, the list goes on. Finally, where does that leave you if anything blows up on the ride? Calling a tow truck which will almost certainly be more expensive than what someone from uship or a professional carrier will charge you. Just my $.02. Good luck and cheers.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,976
Likes: 514
From: Edmond, OK
When I bought my Bullnose truck I drove it from Springfield, MO back home near OKC, OK. That was over a 4 hour drive. The fuel pump was worked fine but the glow plugs didn't work. The previous owner had a jury-rigged system to short the GP relay with a multimeter that I quickly got rid of.
If you don't mind spending the extra money to get the truck home then I'd say go for it. You might compare prices though and see if it might be cheaper to rent a trailer.
If you don't mind spending the extra money to get the truck home then I'd say go for it. You might compare prices though and see if it might be cheaper to rent a trailer.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,248
Have it towed and take the wife out for breakfast! Then when the truck is plopped in your driveway she might go easier on you. All right then, if funds are tight you might have to crack the eggs and grate the hash browns.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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Yes sir, at least deduct the cost of the tow from an agreed reasonable value. There's no point in running an engine that's been sitting. Chocolate milk in the oil pan...just the tip of the iceberg.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
You guys are a bunch of kill joys 
Yea if he is not too good with a wrench then it would be best to tow it home.
Then he would have all the time he needs to look it over and make a list of what is wrong and to check with us on the best way to go about fixing the truck.
BTW when I went to look / buy my truck I planed to drive it home, about an hour away.
Well after filling the radiator, he had no brake fluid for the master, none of the gauges worked, I took it down the road that did not go good.
I did buy it but came back with my trailer and a rented truck as mine was in the shop, to bring it home.
A man has to know his limits
Dave ----
Yea if he is not too good with a wrench then it would be best to tow it home.
Then he would have all the time he needs to look it over and make a list of what is wrong and to check with us on the best way to go about fixing the truck.
BTW when I went to look / buy my truck I planed to drive it home, about an hour away.
Well after filling the radiator, he had no brake fluid for the master, none of the gauges worked, I took it down the road that did not go good.
I did buy it but came back with my trailer and a rented truck as mine was in the shop, to bring it home.
A man has to know his limits
Dave ----
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
If he gets the fuel system rigged up, that is most likely just the beginning of a laundry list of problems it will have and those will need to be sorted too, probably along side the road.
I did not know U-haul trailers would handle a full size pickup and that they would even allow you to haul it on there. Unless you do not tell them.
If you had a large pickup for a tow vehicle, I wonder if a dolly would handle it. You would have to put the transfer case in neutral or take the rear driveshaft out.
I did not know U-haul trailers would handle a full size pickup and that they would even allow you to haul it on there. Unless you do not tell them.
If you had a large pickup for a tow vehicle, I wonder if a dolly would handle it. You would have to put the transfer case in neutral or take the rear driveshaft out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,248
He already stated he estimated 200 bucks to rig up a fuel system. Does he really know what kind of fuel system the truck has? The 460 has more options for fuel delivery than most even know about. Add to that time and fuel getting there and two people needed one to drive the arriving vehicle, one to drive the truck home. A tow can't be much more than all that. Plus while waiting for the tow truck to deliver the truck he's having breakfast with the wife...