1988 2.9 fuel accumulator/reservoir removal

[Wyoman]

Hi. I am trying to remove the fuel accumulator because it is leaking and I can’t loosen/tighten the bowl with it installed. When I remove the lower fuel line (blue) coming from the tank, fuel runs out of the line and does not stop. I expected this line to only have fuel when the pump is running. Maybe it’s siphoning? Does anyone know the correct procedure for this removal? Any help is appreciated!

 

[franklin2]

You need some sort of reservoir to supply the high pressure rail pump with a constant fuel supply. If Ford could have left it off, they would have. That being said, Ford did get rid of it in later years. Someone may know the exact year, but they went to one single high pressure pump in the tank, and did away with the reservoir and the high pressure frame mounted pump. After researching it a little bit, it seems they did away with this by putting a special sock on the pickup of the in tank high pressure pump, just like one of those holley fuel mats. That must soak up the fuel and keep it supplied while you go around a turn or hit the brakes.

So if you found the proper high pressure in tank setup, you most likely could get rid of it, I think a few guys on here have done it.

 

[franklin2]

P.S. From what I can tell on rockauto, 1988 used two fuel pumps like yours, but 1989 only used one pump in the tank. It will be a project, re-doing lines, re-doing wires, and you might have to buy a plug pigtail to plug into the new sending unit if yours doesn't fit.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

89 started the single high pressure pump in the tank. Much simpler system. I’ve heard something about the fuel gauge may not be compatible without modifications but I’m not really sure. I know when I can get back to putting my 88 together it’s getting a plastic tank and single high pressure tank pump. Then I’m eliminating all the factory junk. Because I’ve gotten myself set up to do AN lines, I’ll run all new stuff in stainless braided PTFE, but there’s other ways to do new lines, Dorman makes stuff to do the nylon factory type and you can always go the cheap route of rubber fuel injection line and Ni-copper or aluminum hard line. I just replaced all of the lines on my 89 Choptop earlier this year. Did the new plastic tank and pump before that and the old nylon lines were pinholed like crazy.