gas tank question
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Whittier, CA
gas tank question
I live in 29 palms, ca ( the desert ) where it gets very hot. I filled up my tank last night and came back from the rifle range today to find i had gas running down the side of my truck from the gas cap. I have a 63 f250 4x4 flairside behind the seat gas tank. anyone else had this problem or know how I can resolve this issue? would like to find a solution before i tear into the truck and repaint it.... thanks!
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: darrington wash
dont fill the tank so full or maybe loosen the filler cap so that the preasure can come out, or the sending unit could be loosend but then you are releasing gas vapors[the really flamable stuff] into your cab..
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Believe it's the nature of the beast with these 61-66 Ford trucks, at least with my 65 f100, fuel tends to drip from the cap particularly on hot days, I try to remember not to fill over max of 13-15 gals. Also check the condition of the fuel cap gasket, make sure it's making a good seal. Recently purchased a locking gas cap, now recall why I threw the last one away, have not found one that seals worth a damn.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 2
From: Davenport, IA
I found out about the expansion of hot gasoline while sitting in my truck studying in between classes - smoking a cigarette! "Huh....something smells like gas....oh S***!" Didn't smoke in my truck after that (I've quit now.)
I always fill up at the start of my drive. That way I'm sure to use up a gallon or so.
I always fill up at the start of my drive. That way I'm sure to use up a gallon or so.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
These trucks were not designed with seal-proof systems like today's vehicles. They vent through the cap seal.
There is space for an expansion-like chamber at the top of the tank, if you look closely. The fill tube is below the top a bit.
When the fuel gets warm it expands, much more so than water. Then the air in the upper pocket of the tank expands, and you have pressure pushing fuel up the spout.
Are you parking with the tuck leaning down a bit on the driver's side?
The best fix is to park on a level surface - or better yet, park with the spout up higher than the tank. That is, with the truck leaning down slightly to the passenger side.
This will allow air rather than liquid fuel to escape under expansion pressure.
If you park with the spout leaning down on the driver's side, the pressure will push air instead of fuel out.
There is space for an expansion-like chamber at the top of the tank, if you look closely. The fill tube is below the top a bit.
When the fuel gets warm it expands, much more so than water. Then the air in the upper pocket of the tank expands, and you have pressure pushing fuel up the spout.
Are you parking with the tuck leaning down a bit on the driver's side?
The best fix is to park on a level surface - or better yet, park with the spout up higher than the tank. That is, with the truck leaning down slightly to the passenger side.
This will allow air rather than liquid fuel to escape under expansion pressure.
If you park with the spout leaning down on the driver's side, the pressure will push air instead of fuel out.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,481
Likes: 2,801
Our '58 F600 in-cab tank did the same thing. Takes the door weather strip with it eventually, not to mention it's a bit tough on the paint.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 861
Likes: 1
I drilled a small hole in the back of my gas cap it seems to work good for venting the tank but sucks when you put it into a good right hand corner it spits a small amount of fuel out of it but not bad.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
As other have noted, don't fill your truck up unless you are going to drive out 3 or more gallons of gas. Park it drivers side high like John said, you can always drive up on the curb to make that happen. The only time that I fill my truck up is when I am driving a 50 mile trip or gas is real cheap where I have stopped.
You will soon learn what your truck likes. Another thing don't fill the radiator up to the neck, leave it a couple inches down for expansion. Fill it to the top and it will burp it out.
John
You will soon learn what your truck likes. Another thing don't fill the radiator up to the neck, leave it a couple inches down for expansion. Fill it to the top and it will burp it out.
John
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 804
Likes: 0
From: Maricopa
had that problem one day, but it was because i filled up and forgot to tighten the gas cap, lol. Is this my truck or everyones truck where the tabs on the cap don't quite fit in the hole? well it'll keep the cap on and gas flies out in hard right turns, which I did a lot of.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Albany, Oregon
It helps to be smarter thant he gas cap......which I apparently am not. I got tired of the gas dripping out and fading the paint. I moved the tank and now have that problem solved. I was somewhat motivated after recieving a $2500.00 ticket 
(not a typo) for "placing an offensive material on the highway". Good thing the local judge had a bumpside that did the same thing 
, especially in Oregon where you cant pump your owm gas. Life is good.
(not a typo) for "placing an offensive material on the highway". Good thing the local judge had a bumpside that did the same thing , especially in Oregon where you cant pump your owm gas. Life is good.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
All these in-cab fuel tanks from 1956 thru 1969 use a vented gas cap.
They are not the non vented type used on some models with evaporative emission beginning in 1970.
The one thing that causes confusion and then peeps use the wrong gas cap is...the vented and non vented gas caps look identical in outside appearance.
Look at the backside of the cap to see the difference. As original: One has a hole in the center (vented), one does not (non vented).
B6TZ-9030-A .. Gas Cap-Use with In-Cab Tank-Vented (Motorcraft FC23)
Fits: All 1956/69's & 1970/77's without evaporative emission.
They are not the non vented type used on some models with evaporative emission beginning in 1970.
The one thing that causes confusion and then peeps use the wrong gas cap is...the vented and non vented gas caps look identical in outside appearance.
Look at the backside of the cap to see the difference. As original: One has a hole in the center (vented), one does not (non vented).
B6TZ-9030-A .. Gas Cap-Use with In-Cab Tank-Vented (Motorcraft FC23)
Fits: All 1956/69's & 1970/77's without evaporative emission.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
goose the redneck
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Dec 26, 2007 05:42 PM
candymankim
Performance & General Engine Building
5
Feb 13, 2002 07:39 AM
