Perhaps the FI trucks from 85/86 used the same tanks as the 87-up, since all the 87-up trucks were FI.
If this is the case, then either A) the book is wrong, or B) Advance looked up the part number wrong.

This is just speculation on my part, as I have never messed with a FI 85/86 fuel tank.
It's feasable though, as with the FI there was an in-tank pump, and most* carbed applications used a mechanical pump on the engine.
* I know the 460 had a carbed setup with electric pumps, but I'm refering to the F150, which was not available with a 460.

 

update. i used a mill ******* (cooler than saying file) and made new notches. put on the new gasket and dropped the sending unit in, put on the lock ring and i'm in business. hopefully in a week or so when I get the rest of the stuff ironed out i can check to make sure it works!!!!

 

Cool Beans, I call it the portable machine shop...lol

 

Just so that you know,

The 1985-1986 fuel tanks are indeed different to 1980-1984.

So are the sending units. This is confirmed in the parts books.

 

80-84 tanks have a smaller hole for the sending unit. 85-86 I 6 has a different hole for the sending unit than the v/8 trucks. the hole is the same size, but the slots are in a different spot, I 6 is a mechanical pick up, v 8 is electric fuel pump. I re-notch them, just be careful to make sure the o ring seals.

 

That's one thing about these trucks. In 85, the 302 came both EFI and carb, and in 86, all the 5.0's were EFI, then in 88, the 300 and 351w went fuel injection. So, it's a ******* year, in a way, if that shows up without asterisks. These trucks are just a bunch of mixed up things, lol. Especially 85-86 5.0's.

So, with that said, I'd figure you'd probably have to find a good match for your truck.

 

There was a time when EFI was optional before it became standard equipment on all models.

 

Update. I worked on the truck all weekend. yay..... (not really). While I had the tank out I decided to redo the brake lines. Many of them were pretty rusty and this was a good preventative fix since it was only a matter of time. Even did the front brake hoses. The back hoses and line looked in solid shape so I left them. Going to replace the brake master cylidner and bleed the brakes this week.

As for the tank..... last weekend someone had a dual fuel reservoir brand new on craigslist. the guy had bought it for his 89 a couple years ago and ended up selling the truck before he put it in. I had noticed my front tank was putting gas in the rear tank and figured this was the culprit. I'll find out once I get the truck back together and can fully assess everything I fixed is working again.

There is a bracket that's actually part of the frame that holds up the gas tank that was SUPER rusted when I bought the truck. I found one out of an 87 at the junkyard. If you're ever looking for a fun way to spend 8 hours at the junkyard over 4 trips getting that bracket out is the way to do it. Considering you can't bring corded power tools in there I was at the mercy of a couple of 18 volt batteries and a cordless drill and grinder. What a b*tch that was to get out. Ditto for getting it out of my truck even with corded tools because once I had the bracket out which took forever cause I had to navigate around the exhaust (which I ripped out of the way in the junker) only to figure out how to get rivets out of the top frame rail (3 on each side). Well, after much trial and error I discovered the best way was to do it with a 3 drill bit step up process. That is, small, medium, large until I could hit it out with the punch and hammer. Many of burns from hot metal is on my neck and arms right now.

Once I got all that crap out and put the new bar in I also put in a new heat shield. I ripped the one out of the junkyard but it was a longbed so I had to do some modifying and cutting down but it fit well when I was done. Also ran new vapor lines to the front and rear tank because they both were rusted out. Putting the new tank in wasn't one of my favorite jobs. Getting the filler neck on while trying to balance the tank with your legs and making sure the rubber/cloth for the straps doesn't move out of the way is not what I call fun. Then of course when I get it all back together I have a hell of a time trying to get the skid plate back on. Had to do some hammering and hand bending and lots of swearing but got it on.

ALL that crap said I was shocked when it started right up. The pump had to prime for a brief few seconds more than normal but after that it started flowing and I'm good!

P.S. To run the brake line that goes from the proportioning valve to the rear of the truck you have to take out the fuel pump cause the line runs behind it. Naturally while I was taking this out one of the bolts snapped off inside the nut that's welded to the bracket. Woohoo for me!!!! Since I didn't have a welder I grinded off the nut and headed over to the hardware store for a new one. Just used a flange nut on the other end.

 

Good stuff, at least all the hard work paid off and the truck runs good. Glad to hear you got it working, swearing always helps

 

You know the rules...

Pic's, or it never happened!