Larry the Lariat - My 86 F150 4x4

[chirkware]

Well looks like I’ll be ordering a new tank for Larry. Lots of pitted metal, and when I tipped it up on its side I discovered a nice little leak. Bummer!




Not too big a deal I guess just hoping I’d get lucky and the tank would be good. Not only is it bad, it feels like it might have 8-10 gallons of really ripe nasty old gas I’ll have to get rid of.

This looks to be the correct tank at a good price:
Spectra Fuel Tank F6B https://a.co/d/dpzPWSa

I guess I’ll get a new sending unit too. Haven’t figured that part number out yet.

Also, I guess I need to get under there and figure out where this vent tube (I assume that is what it is) goes to. I wonder if it’s to all that emissions stuff up front someone mostly ripped out?



In other news, I’ve just been working on brakes. Rears are done other than bleeding them, and the fronts don’t look too bad. I may just replace the front hoses, bleed them, and see how they do on the road.

Planning to finally register Larry on Monday. I think the last registration expired in 2006.

I ordered tires from the local Walmart last week, then got a notification that they canceled the order because the tires were out of stock. Doh! Their website shows a store in the next town has those tires, so I may just drive over there tomorrow evening and buy them, then take them to our local store to have them mounted and balanced.

[JimJam300]

chirkware wrote

Also, I guess I need to get under there and figure out where this vent tube (I assume that is what it is) goes to. I wonder if it’s to all that emissions stuff up front someone mostly ripped out?

That should go to vapor canister in the front-passenger side of the engine bay. On my truck, it connects to a 3/16" steel tube that runs from front-to-back on the passenger side frame rail.

[chirkware]

tcbaklash wrote

chirkware wrote

Also, I guess I need to get under there and figure out where this vent tube (I assume that is what it is) goes to. I wonder if it’s to all that emissions stuff up front someone mostly ripped out?

That should go to vapor canister in the front-passenger side of the engine bay. On my truck, it connects to a 3/16" steel tube that runs from front-to-back on the passenger side frame rail.

Ahh! That’s what that 3/16” line is I was staring at earlier on the outside of the passenger frame rail. I didn’t trace it all the way but I couldn’t figure out why there would be a brake line on the passenger side going to the back.

Thanks! That’s got to be it. The hose is pretty rotted it looks like. I guess pretty much any 3/16 hose should work, or does it need to be fuel compatible?

[Gary Lewis]

I would get a fuel line.  I ordered this one from Amazon and it worked.  BUT, a year later I discovered that it was very hard.  Still working, but HARD.  So it might not be the best one to get.

[chirkware]

Gary Lewis wrote

I would get a fuel line.  I ordered this one from Amazon and it worked.  BUT, a year later I discovered that it was very hard.  Still working, but HARD.  So it might not be the best one to get.

Ia the line flexible all the way up to the front? I was really surprised to see that blue stuff (I’m used to my older truck having mostly steel with just a bit of rubber). Took me a good bit to figure out how to get that fitting loose from the tank.

I’ve had no luck so far looking for a sending unit. Only one I’ve found has a four pin electrical connection. I’m guessing that’s possibly for fuel injected applications (has two fuel connections, I’m guessing second is a return line).

[Gary Lewis]

No, I think all of the trucks had metal vent lines with just a bit of rubber at the front and rear.

On the sending unit, there were several.  There was the one you've found with the pump and a return line, and a 4-pin connector.  And there's the one you want with no pump and a 2-pin connector.  But there was also the 17 gallon or the 19 gallon tank and they take a different sending unit.

[chirkware]

Thanks Gary!

Looks like E5TZ-9275-G is what I need to find. I’ll do some searching using that part number.

[ArdWrknTrk]

There's this from eClassics

Also Spectra FE74A and Dorman 692118

[chirkware]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

There's this from eClassics

Also Spectra FE74A and Dorman 692118

Thanks, but my truck is an 86. Those show as being for 80-84. The parts look the same to me, but show as being not compatible. Wish I knew what was different.  80-84 seems easier to source.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Edit: I am very wrong!  

Tanks from 1985- have the larger tank bung because that was the first year for in-tank pumps.
Terribly sorry for the wrong information.

https://eclassics.com/eclassics-1985-1986-ford-f-150-stainless-steel-fuel-sending-unit-non-efi-3-8-for-midship-19-gallon-tank/

[chirkware]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

Tanks from 1985- have the larger tank bung because that was the first year for in-tank pumps.
Terribly sorry for the wrong information.

https://eclassics.com/eclassics-1985-1986-ford-f-150-stainless-steel-fuel-sending-unit-non-efi-3-8-for-midship-19-gallon-tank/

Ahh, so that’s why the tanks changed in 85!  Also explains why the different application is harder to find. Five model year parts (80-84) vs two (85-86).

I guess I could just order the older tank and sending unit (cheaper and easier to find) since I’m running a carb setup, but that would just make things confusing in the future, and handcuff me if I ever decided to go EFI.

Thanks for that link. That looks like the right part (exit…just noticed it’s stainless, nice!). Check out this lovely thing:



I can only assume there are little bits of float down in that sixteen year old gas.

[chirkware]

Alright, orders placed...

eClassics...Sending unit ArdWrknTrk linked

RockAuto...gas tank:
LILAND GLOBAL IF6B @ $133.62 after shipping, tax, and 5% off code.

LMC Truck...
Filler Hose
Vent Valve/Seal
(Not a fan of LMC Truck but they had decent prices on this stuff)

I'm HOPING the filler hose will be the right length, but I fear it will be short as most places I looked had a 17.xx" long hose specified.  The extant hose is over 21".  I read that some cut the hose and added some hard pipe at the cut to make up the short pipe length.  Seems to be another harder part for an 85-86 vs 80-84.  (EDIT:  LMC hose WAS correct length, no mods necessary.)

Oh, and I ordered myself one of these as I'm sick of my underpowered Walmart special Campbell Hausfield impact wrench (I had to resort to a breaker bar with cheater pipe to get the wheels off as my junk impact wrench couldn't do it):  
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18V-Brushless-Cordless-4-Mode-1-2-in-High-Torque-Impact-Wrench-with-2-4-0-Ah-Batteries-Charger-and-Bag-R86212B-AC93044SBN/323202880

I went with Ridgid as I already have an investment in their tools/batteries, and the lifetime warranty is nice to have.  :)

[Gary Lewis]

You are going to LOVE that impact!  That's the one I have and it will do just about everything I need to do.  Every once in a while I have to break out the air one, but that's rare.

And yes, the larger opening to allow the fuel pump to go in is why the tanks are different.

[chirkware]

Gary Lewis wrote

You are going to LOVE that impact!  That's the one I have and it will do just about everything I need to do.  Every once in a while I have to break out the air one, but that's rare.

And yes, the larger opening to allow the fuel pump to go in is why the tanks are different.

I decided I wanted the cordless impact for the occasional junk yard run, or the occasional junk truck acquisition.  My compressor is fairly small (23 gallon I think), so I don't think it can drive a very good impact anyway.

Once I have Larry ready to go, I have THREE old trucks to go pick up...a 71, a 76, and a 78.  All three at basically scrap price.  The seller (he bought the 71 new) is going to keep the FE out of the 76, but the 71 and 78 will both have 351w's in them and basically be complete (albeit in various stages of issues).  I should get titles to at least the 71 and 78, hopefully for all three.

I'll probably try to get the 71 running and flip it (may rob a few things though for my 70).  The 78 will be a part out (may use the front suspension and TILT steering column on my 70).  Not sure yet what I'll do with the 76.  If I get the title, I may try to make it a runner (I think I know where I can get an FE to drop in it) and sell it.  

I'm hoping to make enough off these three trucks to get back what I've invested in Larry...If my wife doesn't kill me first!  

[ArdWrknTrk]

chirkware wrote

Ahh, so that’s why the tanks changed in 85!  Also explains why the different application is harder to find. Five model year parts (80-84) vs two (85-86).

Imagine you were me with the one year wonder!  
A mechanical pump in '87 that only came with a very few 460 and H.O. trucks.
I have a two pin connector, feed and return, but the inverted 16-160 ohm senders that work with a bricknose fuel gauge.
Water temp and oil pressure senders are still the same as the Bullnose trucks, mind you..  

[mat in tn]

unfortunately, I expect you are going to receive the shorter hose. i have been running into this for a couple years now. for some reason the suppliers have decided that the same hose fits 80-96 but it is simply not true! the newer beginning in 87 I believe, uses a different fill tube mounted to the body and is longer requiring a shorter fill hose. it's about 4" shorter.

[chirkware]

mat in tn wrote

unfortunately, I expect you are going to receive the shorter hose. i have been running into this for a couple years now. for some reason the suppliers have decided that the same hose fits 80-96 but it is simply not true! the newer beginning in 87 I believe, uses a different fill tube mounted to the body and is longer requiring a shorter fill hose. it's about 4" shorter.

That’s what I’m afraid of too! Have you found any solution to this? I read where one person cut the short hose in the middle and added a piece of pipe, but I really don’t like that idea. I suppose if I had access to a bricknose donor, I could just steal the longer fill tube.

[mat in tn]

unfortunately, that does not work either. the fill tube (filler neck assembly) is different in other ways also. the flange that mounts the filler neck to the fuel door box assembly on the bullnose is square to the pipe yet the later version which mounts to a steel box welded to the bedside is at an angle.  finding the correct part is key unless you have one custom made.

[chirkware]

This seems like the best source so far:

https://www.fillernecksupply.com/1980-1986-ford-f-series-outer-fuel-filler-hose-standard-bed-front-tank/

Gonna be about $70 by the time it's shipped. That's an expensive hose!

The LMC one I ordered IS going to be wrong. Their website shows the application being 1980-1996 F-Series and Bronco. I called to try to cancel the order (I explained the issue to them) but they said it already shipped. They told me to refuse the delivery and I won't get charged. 🤔 I'll believe it when I see it!

(EDIT:  I was wrong, and I admit it! LMC hose WAS correct length, no mods necessary.  Since they list the hose as being for 1980-1996, this means it is TOO LONG for the later application, but NOT too short for 80-86.)

[chirkware]

In other news...WOW! This thing is a HOSS! I'd hate to have to use it all day (it is HEAVY) but man it makes quick work of things!