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Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: Carl on October 22, 2011, 12:45:37 PM

Title: Warning about the gas tank
Post by: Carl on October 22, 2011, 12:45:37 PM
The pan that feeds the fuel pump broke off the brackets and was moving around inside the tank.  This caused the strainer to tear and let a bunch of dirt in my walbro.

My solution was to replace it with my other bird's tank.  When I took it off I noticed one of the brackets was broken and it wiggled a bit too.  I fully cleaned the tank and sealed it back with some liquid steel. (resistant to gas)

I just wanted to let everyone know it might be time to get a new tank.  Seems like this is a common problem.
Title: Warning about the gas tank
Post by: vinnietbird on October 22, 2011, 06:51:56 PM
Well, they ARE over two decades old. They can be found really reasonable on Ebay...even after shipping. I'm getting one next year. I have paint to deal with right now.
Title: Warning about the gas tank
Post by: Carl on October 23, 2011, 12:07:09 AM
Several companies make new gas tanks that seem to be well built.  I hope this one holds for a while.
Title: Warning about the gas tank
Post by: Aerocoupe on October 25, 2011, 12:43:08 PM
Vinnie,
Are the ones you are seeing on Ebay new or used?

Carl,
Can you give us a couple of the companies' names that build the new tanks?

Darren
Title: Warning about the gas tank
Post by: jpc647 on October 25, 2011, 01:09:39 PM
I know I started a thread about this a while back. I found a gas tank 3 years ago for like $105 new from SPI or STI distribution in Worcester Mass. I have the receipt at home, I'll look it up when I get home and repost. Good Tank, never had any problems with it.
Title: Warning about the gas tank
Post by: Carl on October 27, 2011, 04:51:16 PM
A general list of companies that make new tanks, and pricing.

http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByDepartment/Fuel_Tank/FORD/THUNDERBIRD/1987

A Dorman Tank.  Seems like a good buy.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RNB-576-132/

For your 83 bird the gas tank is different.  Make sure you change the year on the website.
Title: Warning about the gas tank
Post by: Aerocoupe on October 27, 2011, 05:02:20 PM
The tank that Dorman shows for an 83 5.0 Bird is incorrect as far as I know.  It shows an 18 gallon fuel tank and I am pretty sure I have put 20+ gallons in the tank on my '83 on several occasions.  Is the tank for an '86 the same as an '83?

Darren
Title: Warning about the gas tank
Post by: Carl on October 31, 2011, 02:26:56 PM
The V8 and V6 Tbird had a 22 Gallon Tank.

The Turbo Coupe pre 1987 had an 18 Gallon Tank.

They should both bolt right up, hell.. the fuel pump is the exact same on both cars.
Title: Warning about the gas tank
Post by: 88 Blackbird 5.0 on September 26, 2012, 05:52:00 PM
What's the capacity of an 88 Turbo Coupe guys?
Title: Warning about the gas tank
Post by: vinnietbird on September 26, 2012, 09:52:41 PM
Quote from: 88 Blackbird 5.0;399253
What's the capacity of an 88 Turbo Coupe guys?

22 gallons.....I got my brand new one on Ebay for less than a hu8ndred bucks delivered, and it came with the o-rings and the lock rings.
Title: Warning about the gas tank
Post by: 88 Blackbird 5.0 on September 26, 2012, 09:58:03 PM
I thought 87 & 88 TC's had smaller fuel tanks than V6 & V8 T-Birds Vinnie.  I know you have a Sport instead of a TC.
Title: Warning about the gas tank
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on September 27, 2012, 09:01:20 PM
Nope '87 & '88 TC have 22gal tank, I swapped one on a '87 TC from a '86 LSC, except for gauge sender was same tank... Reused the TC straps...
Title: Warning about the gas tank
Post by: 88 Blackbird 5.0 on September 27, 2012, 09:18:32 PM
Thanks for the info Vinnie and Tom.  I appreciate it!
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