Kwik, when I pull my tank and remove the pickup do I need a new gasket or can I reuse the old one? Is the size of fuel hose I replace the joints with and steel tubing on the pickup 5/16 or 3/8. Is there anything else I need to be aware of when I do this? Any advice? I am planning on doing this Saturday. I can't wait to get it done.

Thanks
Steve

 

The seal on my tank was a large reusable o-ring. My truck is the F-550 with the single large rear tank made of steel. I don't know if the lighter duty trucks have a gasket or not. If you have the dual tank setup you'll need to do this job twice.
I got my instructions by reading TexasTowncar's experience and following what they did. An associate of his posted some very excellent pictures that will tell the story far better than I could describe. Here is the link: http://community.webshots.com/album/32614313yLKyrS
My variation to his was I reused my pickup screen. I made the 3/8 pickup tube long enough to reach down past the little side valve that is built into it and disable it. You'll see what I mean when you get the pickup out. It's a little orange flapper thing that looks like it will let air in through the side. Block that with the 3/8 pipe.
I used 7mm metric hose and it was a little tight. But I wanted a good air seal. I would recommend it if you can get it. It worked everywhere. Otherwise the fuel outlet at the tank is 3/8. But I would get some 5/16 too as I "think" the fuel pump inlet is a touch smaller. What you want to avoid at all costs is to have the fuel line be larger than the steel line and then try and seal it up with clamps. If it doesn't push on with firm pressure the hose is too loose and will let air in eventually. Recommend at least two or three hose clamps at each flange set 180 degrees from each other for the best clamping job. One head of the clamp on the top of the line and the other head of the clamp on the bottom of the line with the clamps right next to each other. I bought the steel lines needed at my local NAPA store. They have and assortment of brake lines. You'll need both 3/8 and 5/16 steel lines. Study the picture of the converted fuel pickup. You'll see the compression fittings you'll need to join it all together. You can get a 3/8 double ended fitting all in one piece, but the 5/16 fitting will have to be assembled from different types of fittings as there doesn't seem to be any available in the style needed. You'll need a tubing bender, or in a pinch a piece of 1" pipe to provide a curved surface to bend the fuel return away from the fuel gauge sender. A tubing cutter, and some basic tools are all that's needed except for removing the factory flex line from the frame mounted steel line. It's a stainless steel crimp setup that requires a die grinder with a cutter wheel to seperate. If you don't have that just cut the end off with your tubing cutter and install the hose there. Use at least two clamps, four would be good.
Anyway I need to get off to work now. Recommend registering at www.texastowncar.com and reading about what they did. That's where I got all this.
Good luck and God bless your efforts.

 

Kwikk;

I sent you a PM.

 

On what? Email? I don't subscribe to any ICQ type programs at all. Did you have a question about something? I'm leaving for work now, but reply here, and I'll be glad to help.

 

Thanks Kwik for all the info. I did look at those pictures and I'm going to print out a few of them for reference while I do mine tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes.


Steve

 

Great!