I have a 1983 F-250 4X4 automatic pickup with the 460 engine.
When I bought it last Feb. I wasn't told that the front tank did not work. So I filled both tanks and when I switched to the front one it died. So after studing the problem I decided it was the in-tank fuel pump. So I bought a new one $60 and when I went to install it, I decided to have the tank boiled out and checked for leaks. The shop called me and told me I needed a new tank as the old one was far to rusty to repair. I got one for $140 and put the new fuel pump in it as well as a new fuel filter and got going again, although the front gage did not work. It was fine for a while but after a couple of months it began to sputter (fuel starved) while driving it. When I switched to the rear tank it did the same. Then it would not run at all. I thought it might be the fuel diverter valve so I bought a new one. $40. That wasn't it so I had the carb. rebuilt.$150 Then it cranked and runs fine on the rear tank. After switching to the front tank it will run a mile or two and then stalls out. (fuel starved again) I bought and replaced the front fuel pump again.$60 It still does it. So I bought and replaced the fuel selector valve.$150 It still does it. I replaced the fuel line from the front tank to the selector valve. That didn't help. So now everything on the Front Tank side is new. New tank, new fuel pump, new selector valve, new fuel diverter valve, new fuel line and filter. And I've blown air through the metal fuel lines to make sure they are clear. So after about $600 it still stalls after a mile or two on the front tank only. And runs fine on the rear tank.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

While I do not have any experience with dual tank setups,
A couple of things come to mind:

1. Run for a couple of mile then die - Does the fron tank
have it's own fuel filter? My truck had the same symptons
and the fuel filter was clogged (no high volume flow)

2. Have you check for a crimp or kink in the fuel line before
the selector valve?

HarryO

 

There is only one in line filter and I have replaced it and the fuel line.
Thanks

 

This is a long shot. Is the fuel tank vented?

What I mean is that as you pump gas out, the tank needs to let air in. This is needed or otherwise the tank will start to have a low presure (vacuum) that will be stronger than what the pump can do.

When it starts to run out of fuel, do you happen to hear any noises that sound something like popping or banging (like an empty metal container)? This might the sound of the gas tank bending in from the effects of a vacuum forming in the tank.

OR -

Does your setup have fuel return lines?

Maybe those are clogged or going to just the rear tank?

Like I said, a long shot (in the dark?). Good Luck!

HarryO

 

Another venting thought, try running it on the tank in question WITHOUT the gas cap.

 

Ive tried that.
thanks

 

Vent is O.K.

 

you might want to check the switch and make sure the pump is getting proper power. I have seen these switches go bad and not provide sufficient power to run the pump.

 

Thanks,
I'll try bypassing the switch and see if it still does it.

 

 

I would put a fuel pressure gauge in so you can tell what is going on. Holley makes a low pressure electric gauge and Autometer makes a mechanical one with a isolator. I just bought a cheap electric pump from Autozone. I can pump gas out of the truck into a 5 gal can by dropping a hose into the filler.