Skip to main content
Topic: was my gas tank switched? (Read 1763 times) previous topic - next topic

was my gas tank switched?

Reply #15
Yes Jeremy, that could very well be. My published books indicate that a 22.1 gallon tank was standard for 1985. That doesn't mean the whole year...it was probably a running change. The smaller tank isn't as deep, vertically, and is notably smaller on the driver's side around the tailpipe. That's the best way I can describe it.

Far as the senders, no, they're all sort of different. 1987-88 senders went off a totally different ohm scale. Pre-1986 senders were split between buttstuffog and digital, and there are major differences beteen them. As far as I'm aware, we have unique sending units and no other senders (aside from the ones used by the Mark VII -- 22.1 gallons) can be used in our tanks. I have the info somewhere...can't seem to find it at the moment...

 

was my gas tank switched?

Reply #16
I put 27 gallons in my tank. About two weeks later, the gas staion that I used to use, got cited for watering down there gas and having pumps played with. I think there really is a way to use 21 gallons on it. Just ask a dumb kid driving a gas hog with a minimum wage job how much gas they can use until it runs out? About 75 miles or so after the "E" starts flashing.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

was my gas tank switched?

Reply #17
I guess everyone has over looked the fact that nothing ever comes with the container full. If you take a 5 gallon gas can and put five gallons in it it will have some left over space. Just like the 20oz pepsi/pen 15e you bought it has 20oz of soda in it but the bottle isn't full. Still I tend to think the extra space is needed. If you fill up the whole tank and the filler neck some of the gas is probly making it into the charcol canister. Via the fresh air line between it and the tank. I bet the factory specs are right but like any thing else that is what they recomend not what the total full amount of the tank.
84 Turbo coupe 2.3T Modded with 88 upper and lower intake, 88 injectors, E6 manifold, T3-4 AR.60 turbo, 31X12X3 FMIC, Homemade MBC , Greddy knock off BPV.
4 eyes see better than 2! 
Da Bird!

FreeBird

was my gas tank switched?

Reply #18
From the '84 Shop Manual:
Under Fuel Tanks and Fillers:
"Fill limiting is accomplished through fill pipe configuration and/ or internal vent lines within the fill pipe and tank. The fill limiting system is designed to permit an approximate 10-12 percent tank volume air space when the tank is filled to capacity. This air space provides for thermal expansion of fuel as well as being an aid to the in-tank vapor vent system."

As the tank fills the end of the fill pipe is down in the gas. The air gets out through the vent tube. When the gas level gets to the end of the vent tube no air can get out and no more gas can get in.


My son once had a '71 Torino that had the fill pipe in the center behind the license plate. It had been bumped in the rear tipping the filler pipe ,with vent tube attached, deeper into the tank. He could only get half a tank full in it before it backed out the filler pipe.

was my gas tank switched?

Reply #19
Quote
Fill limiting is accomplished through fill pipe configuration and/ or internal vent lines within the fill pipe and tank. The fill limiting system is designed to permit an approximate 10-12 percent tank volume air space when the tank is filled to capacity. This air space provides for thermal expansion of fuel as well as being an aid to the in-tank vapor vent system."


And that is because it would be bad to go out to your car on a warm day after a cool night and watch gas pour all over the place.  I've seen it happen on jets, most of which only have 3 to 5% of tank space for expansion.
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

was my gas tank switched?

Reply #20
Tank Specs from the '84 Shop Manual:

Mustang/Capri all 15.4 gal.
LTD/Marquis all except optional 16.0 gal.
LTD/Marquis optional 20.0 gal.
Thunderbird/Cougar all 21.0 gal.
MarkVII/Continental 3.8L & 5.0L 22.6 gal.
Lincoln Town Car 5.0L CFI 18.0 gal.
Lincoln Town Car (Canada) 5.0L non-CFI 20.0 gal.
Ford/Mercury (Canada) 5.0L/5.8L Sedan & Wagon 20.0 gal.
Ford/Mercury (U.S.) Sedan 5.0L CFI 18.0 gal
Ford/Mercury (U.S.) Wagon 5.0L non-CFI 18.5 gal.

was my gas tank switched?

Reply #21
So if the tank spec of 21 gallons includes the 10-12% air space the tank would "fill up" at 18.48 to 18.9 gallons.
If the spec is how much gas you can put in the tank then the total capacity of the tank is 23.1-23.5 gallons.