I did the Hutch and Harpoon mods last weekend, but I can't get the tank locking ring back on to save my life. I spent about three hours trying, and tore my hands all up in the process.

It acts like the ring has shrunk, like it's too small to fully seat on the threads. I get the end of the thread started, then force down the opposite side, and get about a half turn on it and it pops out again.

I tried grinding a chamfer all the way around the inside bottom of the ring (below the first thread) to try to make it easier to pop on. I even tried to cut a small amount of chamfer on the tank itself, just above the threads, and without intruding in the gasket area. Neither of those things worked. Nor did applying some Tri-Flow grease to the threads.

I went and got a new stock ring from the dealer, an the chance that maybe the original shrank, or that maybe they updated the design to accommodate this problem. Got it home and it is exactly the same part, exactly the same size, no evidence of shrinkage on the old part. Spent another hour with that one.

Tomorrow I am picking up a Dorman ring from NAPA. Fortunately only $14. If that doesn't work I may take another stab at cutting larger and more precise chamfers on the original.

Maybe with another person helping me I can be able to put enough downforce and turning force on it simultaneously, but at the moment I am not optimistic.

Anyone have any tricks or ideas?

 

Dont go buying another one. Take back the new ford if you still can.

I also fought this ring the first time around on the H&H mod. Had the tank out last weekend to clean it out, knew what to expect and on she went.

I used a hot air gun on the ring to get it back on. Heat it up it expands and fits on. Also heard of guys putting it into hot water. Same effect.

It is a biatch tight.

 

I'm gonna have to remember the heat trick next time I'm messing with one. They can certainly be very frustrating.
First one I messed with a couple years ago, I'd read up on here about it with the H&H and I was expecting a pain.
Surprised me it just spun right on. I thought why all the fuss about these.
Then I removed it one more time, I think to check that my new pickup was at the bottom of the tank good, and it fought me for an hour or so.
A little heat might be just the ticket.

 

Thanks to both of you.

I should have mentioned that I tried using a heat gun. Although, I didn't get too aggressive with it. Now that I have a backup ring, I'm less concerned about damaging the original.

I'm also going to try it again this morning now that the tank's been sitting out in cold air all night. I might even put small bags of ice around the opening for a bit.

The rings were surprisingly cheap. The OEM one from Ford was only $22, and they had it overnight. The Dorman one is only $13.50. I'm so far beyond caring about that kind of money! The neighbor kids have been learning some new words, if you know what I mean.

The Dorman one is also white plastic, as opposed to the OEM rings, which are black and appear to be glass-filled nylon. Maybe the Dorman one might have a little more give to it. I'd like to make the OEM work, if possible, but we'll see.

Thanks again.

 

I just did the hutch mod on mine and fought the ring to get it back on…. After it was tightened down I realized I forgot to do the harpoon mod so I fought the dang thing twice! I blame it on age I just turned 40 haha.

I was at the point of thinking I should put a little petroleum jelly on the threads but it finally went. Heat and lube maybe? Good luck keep us posted

 

Lubing those threads was the only way that I could ever get those things back on.

 

With a little grease it should slide right on.

 

Well, I got it this morning. I went outside while it was still cold and the tank had been sitting out all night. I put three sandwich bags full of ice cubes around the perimeter of the tank opening. The I heated the ring evenly with a heat gun for about five minutes straight. The ring was so hot when I put it on that I could smell melting polyethylene when it made contact with the tank. But I did manage to get it threaded on all the way.

Essential to the job of both removing it and especially tightening it was this strap wrench I got for $13 at Home Depot:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-24...117125#overlay

Thanks again everyone for your suggestions.

 

That was the smell of success. Glad you got it.

 

Glad to hear it worked out for you.

I know I was pretty frustrated the first go around as you hold your tongue just the right way and say a prayer just to be told “nope… not this time”

 

Not trying to be mean, but so glad you wrote about these issues. I will be in your shoes in about 3 months, I thank you for your service and sacrifice to save my knuckels and fingers.

Ken

 

I've done mine twice, I just put the ring out in the Arizona sun for a couple hours while I did other stuff and was able to put it on. Putting it in a low oven would probably work too. Recently I did my Jeep the same way.

 

Just did a repair to my Hutch modded sender and am at my wits end. Just about to start dropping every bad word I ever learned. Saw this thread after a desperation search. Gonna try putting a bag of ice over the fuel tank opening and also using heat gun on my new oem motorcraft ring.

😬😬😬!!

will follow up with the outcome!

 

The key is the heat differential.

I struggled for hours as well. Then popped in here and got the news. So I did as Bigb did, put the ring out in the hot sunshine and the tank in a cool place. Easy peasy.

The bag of ice idea sounds great! I'd be on the lookout for any condensation that drips into the tank.

 

Wish I'd taken video of how easy the lock ring threaded on. What I did:

1. towel over fuel tank opening
2. bag of ice from the store laid over top for 15 mins
3. warmed lock ring to 180F in the oven (also had a hotpad that I plugged in by the truck to keep it warm until I was ready to use it
4. Removed ice
5. installed sender assembly
6. Quickly picked up hot lock ring
7. Threaded on with zero trouble

Thanks for this thread!