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Fuel Tank removal...

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4K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  FEandGoingBroke  
#1 ·
Fuel Tank removal...


Ran out of gasoline yesterday. The guage reads wrong due to a bad float, and I need to fix it now on my 1961 Falcon. Am getting tired of this too now, rapidly.

Got the straps off and the big 2 inch diameter filler pipe off. The tank is supported and jacked up.

Now how do I get to the 5/16 inch outlet (and wire) and then work loose to remove the tank? I got a new float ready to pop on to the old steel wire once the sending unit is out, and maybe can have running again by tonight.

And why did they install a drain off the top of the tank instead of at the bottom?



Wm.
 
#2 ·
That is a vent if we are on the same page. The wire should just disconnect.
 
#3 ·
The fitting near to the filler neck is tapped, tapered, plugged, and odd. The whole fuel tank acts as if mounted upside down, but have seen a few to confirm it was installed correctly.

The fuel tank sending unit is behind a rear spring shackle. Not easy to see, not easy to pop out either. Got to remove whole tank then. The sending unit has a 5/16 inch exit line, and a simple electrical wire for level height measurement.

I can easily see the tank and sides. Biggest situation now is that it has fuel inside, and that adds to weight. Making any jacks get unbalanced.

I got a few of the Mustang type seals for sending units. Once the sending unit is out, can I use one of the cut ring seals to plug off for leaks, or is there a variance of sizes then?


Wm.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Will, do you have any pictures?

I can pull out my sending unit WITHOUT doing anything to my fuel tank.

No need to pull it...

You said 61 falcon... I have TWO 61 falcon's here. Maybe you have an incorrect fuel tank.

Image


That's the filler neck and the tank vent.

The sending unit is in the center if the tank directly behind the 3rd member.
Image



Pull off the 5/16 fuel line there and let the tank drain a few gallons out into a clean bucket...

If you can get it all then you don't need to take the tank out.

If you cannot, then put a cap on the tube to keep gas from draining everywhere when you lift it.

Then pull the tank, UP and OUT of the trunk.

Set the tank on it's side, then remove the sending unit and replace your float.


If your fuel tank is bolted on the UNDER side of the trunk then I have no clue what tank you're working with...


FE
 
#5 ·
Got whole fuel tank out late yesterday. Neighbor was tehre about 1/2 hour after promised to aide. He said the up-side down look remined him of his 1970's era one. The straps to hold in place confused him until he saw the old dirt stains. His has floor board bolts also as mentioned.

The tank has a steel vent line aimimg into frame, and connected in via a couple of (rotted out) rubber fuel lines.These were original problem, as they sort of held into place the tank once the straps were off. Not exactly fuel line related afterall.

I can't find my old manual, or I would feed you pictures of this.


Wm.