Icky Ford Dual fuel tanks...

[PeacefulChaos]

I know I'm a newb, and that I don't know much about trucks... And I know it's not a sweppy, but I've tried other forums and no one else seems to understand. But I have a bit of a problem that I'm confused about.

In my Ford, yes I know it's an icky Ford... But it's got Dual tanks. I don't know what to make of this...

When I bought it, it was running off the rear tank. Since it had been sitting, I decided to run the tanks out of gas a few times after I put $40 in each. But I ran out of gas in the rear tank, and tried to switch it over, but it wouldn't switch over. My dad helped me fix that problem, so when I filled up the rear tank, It took about 19 gallons. I filled up the REAR tank... But I ran out of gas in the front tank, not but a few miles later. It was odd, because when I switched it back, I was running on the rear tank... The one I already filled... But I went to fill up the front tank, and it was already full... But the rear was empty...

Now, I know my truck is a guzzler, but it shouldn't take up a full tank of gas for only driving maybe 5 miles. And the tank that was supposed to be empty, was actually full... So that day, I ended up filling the rear tank twice...

Does it flow from the rear tank to the front? Or is there something missing that I don't know about? There is no gas leaking anywhere, and I've already checked the lines. Nothing. Maybe I'm underestimating my 460...? >.> Anyone know how those work? Maybe my toggle switch is backwards? I've noticed the Rear tank is the top and the front tank is the bottom for the switch...

Anyways, any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

-Paige

[wally426ci]

I believe that they feed 1 at a time, so maybe the line is clogged?

[EGroscup]

Sounds like the tank selector valve is bad or plumbed incorrectly. You were running off the rear tank and the fuel return was going to the front tank. Erik

[PeacefulChaos]

Sounds like the tank selector valve is bad or plumbed incorrectly. You were running off the rear tank and the fuel return was going to the front tank. Erik

I was running off the rear tank, and I get quite a few miles off it... I fill it up, run off the front tank, run out of gas a few miles later, and go to fill it up but the rear is empty. That's what I've experienced... I'm confused.... It should be that I run off one, I fill it up, run off the other, and fill it up... How is the system supposed to work?

[MountainMoparRobin]

I think your going to have to get under neath it and check the lines, some are gravity feed, some have an electric pump, example, the Tractors we use to pull trailers with you see 2 tanks, one on the drivers side and one on the passenger side, the passenger side tranfers to the drivers side as the fuel level goes down.

[PeacefulChaos]

Both are on the drivers side. I've got one right beside the cab, and the other behind the wheel well.

[Hobcobble]

Both are on the drivers side. I've got one right beside the cab, and the other behind the wheel well.

Is there a line running from one tank
to the other? It almost sounds, by your
description, that, as you use off one
tank, it is siphoning gas from the other.
John

[63d100sixer]

couple of questions first

Is this a camper special?
The "toggle switch" is it next to/a part of, the a/c heater controls?
When you flip the switch, does the gauge move accordingly?
the fuel filler necks..are they exposed or behind a gas door?
are you moving the valve next to the seat on the drivers side floorboard?
When you go to fill up the front tank, does it spurt back, as if it were full?

The toggle switch, assuming its the stock one, only shows the fuel level in the tanks, and does NOT switch which tank the fuel is coming out of...that is what the valve is for, on the floor, usually by the seatbelt...

pull the heater/radio unit out, and check the back of the switch for a good connection, and to see if the switch is cracked..I might have one for you if my friend didn't take it to kentucky with him..

The front filler neck is always a problem..the curve in them makes fast filling damn near impossible...try filling at half speed, and see if that helps..used to happen on my buddies F350 super camper, but he had 3 tanks..one behind seat, and 2 under the bed

try FTE.com for help...I think thats the link, but look for "Ford Truck Enthusiast" on google and thats where to go, although they have really deteriorated over the past 8-9 years


HTH

EDIT....YEAH your truck is a guzzler..I have a lincoln that had a 460..I remember growing up that that thing would guzzle $20 going 40 miles, and $20 back then was 25+ gallons..It now has a 429 (same thing as 460) and guzzles $20 going to the corner..$20 NOW is 7 gallons

[PeacefulChaos]

Both are on the drivers side. I've got one right beside the cab, and the other behind the wheel well.

Is there a line running from one tank
to the other? It almost sounds, by your
description, that, as you use off one
tank, it is siphoning gas from the other.
John

I don't know how it would siphon from the other, if it runs out of gas in the front tank, then it winds up full when I go to fill it... I may have a leak somewhere... But maybe I didn't notice? And I'm not sure if I do have a line that goes from one tank to the other... I'd have to take the bed off to check... Got quite a bit under there, and it's hard to make out where everything is... Or what everything is... Remember, I'm a newb...

couple of questions first

Is this a camper special?
The "toggle switch" is it next to/a part of, the a/c heater controls?
When you flip the switch, does the gauge move accordingly?
the fuel filler necks..are they exposed or behind a gas door?
are you moving the valve next to the seat on the drivers side floorboard?
When you go to fill up the front tank, does it spurt back, as if it were full?

Not a camper special... Just a standard... It was used for the Ford company as a work truck...
Toggle switch, IS on the heater... No other switch on the floor of anything. Unless I overlooked it, but I didn't see one. Wouldn't they make it obvious?
I have no idea what you just said on the fuel filter part... I'm assuming you're talking about where I actually pump the gas...?
Yes, it spurts back like it was full... Even sounds full when you tap on it from underneath... Maybe the line to the motor is clogged... It has been sitting for quite a while. I'll check that too.

And thanks. :) I'll look into the website while I'm at it.

[john]

MissChaos. I think you have a bad transfer/switchover valve. You and your F-rd (vowels removed for cuss words) are welcome here. John, Tyler, TX

[63d100sixer]

couple of questions first

Is this a camper special?
The "toggle switch" is it next to/a part of, the a/c heater controls?
When you flip the switch, does the gauge move accordingly?
the fuel filler necks..are they exposed or behind a gas door?
are you moving the valve next to the seat on the drivers side floorboard?
When you go to fill up the front tank, does it spurt back, as if it were full?

Not a camper special... Just a standard... It was used for the Ford company as a work truck...
Toggle switch, IS on the heater... No other switch on the floor of anything. Unless I overlooked it, but I didn't see one. Wouldn't they make it obvious?
I have no idea what you just said on the fuel filter part... I'm assuming you're talking about where I actually pump the gas...?
Yes, it spurts back like it was full... Even sounds full when you tap on it from underneath... Maybe the line to the motor is clogged... It has been sitting for quite a while. I'll check that too.

And thanks. :) I'll look into the website while I'm at it.[/quote]

where you stick the nozzle into, to pump gas..do you have to open a lid to get to it, or is it exposed, where you can see the gas cap all the time??I'm not sure which year it changed, but on my buddies, it would spurt back as if it were full, even when empty..the bend in the line would fill, and not go into the tank as fast as the gas coming in. But it sounds as is its not switching tanks...I'm going through this with my 72 RV, but it has an electric switch..pain in the A$$

the other valve Im talking about is a metal valve/switch..

open the drivers door...look at your seat..now look at your seat belt...either in front or rear of it should be a valve, with a skinny long handle (about 3 or more inches long)

look for a handle like

GTN-37_T1_Main.jpg (25.05 KiB) Viewed 1194 times

...this is the most common type, unless yours is electric...hard to think it would be factory to have electric

or crawl under the drivers side, under the cab and look for all the lines, and see where they meet....

once we establish what KIND of valve you have, and its functionality, then we can start ruling out clogs, and such...The more I think of it, it sounds as if the valve might be stuck halfway on both tanks

or even, as on the 429/460, it should be a 2 port fuel pump, but the LINE ITSELF between the fuel pump and carb should have (not sure if it changed in the later years) 2 lines. 1 line is hooked up to the carb, but off of that it splits and has a line coming off of it. This line is the one that should be the return line to the tank....maybe you're running, the bowl fills up with gas, and the pump still pumping, is sending the excess gas to the tank that the return line is hooked up to

oh and I wasn't telling her to go away, I was showing her a website that is more ford familiar...

[RussRoth]

My '73 W200 had an all electric valve for switching tanks. After it sat a lot the valve quit working. I ended up putting in a manual valve like shown. If it's not in the right position that could be your trouble as mentioned. We need to know what your system is to help.

[PeacefulChaos]

Alright... I haven't been working on the fuel issue lately... My main concern has been the Radiator... Which also turned into flushing the transmission... I'm going to have to go get that done because I don't have the right tools.

I don't know anything about the gas, or why it's acting up... I have one tank that I know I can run on, and I just have to make sure that I use it. Something tells me that it won't switch over. I'll have to get that replaced... And it is electric, so... It could be a simple fix...

Thanks for the feedback, guys. :) You all were lots of help.

Next project I tackle, is getting another 460 and rebuilding it, so I can swap it out of my truck and rebuild that one. :) I can't wait to get my hands dirty.

-Paige

[63d100sixer]

Alright... I haven't been working on the fuel issue lately... My main concern has been the Radiator... Which also turned into flushing the transmission... I'm going to have to go get that done because I don't have the right tools.

I don't know anything about the gas, or why it's acting up... I have one tank that I know I can run on, and I just have to make sure that I use it. Something tells me that it won't switch over. I'll have to get that replaced... And it is electric, so... It could be a simple fix...

Thanks for the feedback, guys. :) You all were lots of help.

Next project I tackle, is getting another 460 and rebuilding it, so I can swap it out of my truck and rebuild that one. :) I can't wait to get my hands dirty.

-Paige

that's odd that it's etectric hmm

if you were closer to socal, I'd say come get this paperweight out of my shed...it's a bare block 460 73 date stamped...needs bored....

[PeacefulChaos]

I used to live anywhere in between San Diego and LA...

Rancho Cucamonga, Orange County... Elsinore... Temecula, Perris... I know the areas well... LOL

But that's okay. I could find a few others... I think mine might be a custom anyways... I'm not quite sure...

Does the word Camper Special, mean anything to you guys?

[63d100sixer]

I used to live anywhere in between San Diego and LA...

Rancho Cucamonga, Orange County... Elsinore... Temecula, Perris... I know the areas well... LOL

But that's okay. I could find a few others... I think mine might be a custom anyways... I'm not quite sure...

Does the word Camper Special, mean anything to you guys?

With Ford, its kinda tricky how they did their trim levels...my buddies camper special had 2 batteries, and a harness that the camper plugged into for power. He has the full size spare in the bed (you have to take off the LARGE panel to get to it) and a LONG wheelbase

With the F250, it could be that it has the smaller door in the passenger side of the bed, 2 batteries, plug for the camper, and heavy duty rear springs..Good luck with that radiator..my friend had to have a 5 core built for his with the 390 because the original kept splitting seams, even with a low pressure cap (IIIRC 7lbs). Oh yeah, and if coolant got into the tranny, it'll almost never come all the way out...You'll always have strawberry milkshake in there DAMHIK

Any large truck up to the 1 tons will work for the radiator..we found a 70's vintage F700 i believe, that we pulled out the radiator, and it slipped right into another F350 in the yard.

Keep us updated

[PeacefulChaos]

update:

Still haven't gotten to the fuel system yet.

Fixed the radiator... Trying to figure out what's up with the motor being out of tune... Replaced some vacuum hoses, and bled the brakes. Changed the oil, and now I'm working on keeping her running and making sure she's fine to drive long distances.

I'm pretty proud of myself... Spent the last week or two under the hood by myself... Pretty cool that she doesn't blow up when I start her!

[Oldguy]

Yep! Working on a truck beats playing with Barbie dolls doesn't it? Mike

[PeacefulChaos]

Yep! Working on a truck beats playing with Barbie dolls doesn't it? Mike

You're talking to the girl who used to chop off all their hair, dismember them, peel the "skin" (plastic layers) off, one layer at a time, and then staple the bodies to the wall, and flush the heads down the toilet. I had a lot more fun with hotwheels, creating paths in the dirt, and using yarn and stuff from mom's sewing box as road dividers... LMAO

[Hobcobble]

You're talking to the girl who used to chop off all their hair, dismember them, peel the "skin" (plastic layers) off, one layer at a time, and then staple the bodies to the wall, and flush the heads down the toilet.

Wow.... .... good thing you didn't learn how to use
an oxy/acetylene torch at a young age.

I don't know many women who turn wrenches. Its good
to know you've taken a liking to working on and learning
about vehicles. Heck..... a lot of young guys
and gals don't even know how to drive a stick shift....
much less open the hood and get their hands grubby.

I think you should keep your eyes peeled for a decent
3/4 ton Dodge pickup..... Sweptline or LifeStyle era....
In the meantime.... keep us advised on your progress. :
John