Fuel Tank Sending Units

[the_intimidator03]

I had thoughts going through my head. I recall that some of the first gens had mechanical fuel pumps and some are electric dual pumps. I was wondering if anyone knows where to get the sending unit/pick up for the earlier set ups?
Also since they did not make extended cab rangers prior to 86. would the early sending unit work an 88 extended cab tank?

 

[Insanejughead]

The sending units are non-cab specific. It's the fuel lines that make up the difference between years.


Also, the mechanical fuel pumps were mounted on the engine block. They didn't have a pump in the tank. Also, they only pumped out 7-10 psi, which is WAY too low for a fuel injected setup.

 

[87anger]

The sending units are non-cab specific. It's the fuel lines that make up the difference between years.


Also, the mechanical fuel pumps were mounted on the engine block. They didn't have a pump in the tank. Also, they only pumped out 7-10 psi, which is WAY too low for a fuel injected setup.

I know that the whole assembly is different between extended and reg cab but you are probably right about the sending unit itself. The pickup tubes are shaped different depending on what tank it is.

In other words if your swapping the whole unit be sure to get one from the same body style.

 

[adsm08]

The 85 senders had the larger head used on the later fuel injection pumps, but as said, the mechanicl pump mounts to the engine and runs off a lobe on the cam shaft that just isn't present on a fuel injected engine and might produce only a 1/3 of the pressure needed for a fuel injection system to run.

What are you trying to do?

 

[Insanejughead]

I know that the whole assembly is different between extended and reg cab but you are probably right about the sending unit itself. The pickup tubes are shaped different depending on what tank it is.

Cool. I didn't know that.



I have an '85, and my dad has an '87, but I've never had that part of it our trucks apart.

 

[the_intimidator03]

what I was thinking was using a mechanical sending unit (no provision for in tank pump) and use an inline electric Hi pressure pump on a toggle... Pretty much just like what we do on our race cars. Just no fuel cell. If I had enough money to play with right now i would just pick up a 15-19 gallon square fuel cell and mount it behind the rear end lol

 

[87anger]

Cool. I didn't know that.



I have an '85, and my dad has an '87, but I've never had that part of it our trucks apart.

Ya I believe (correct me if im wrong) the supercabs have like a 17 gallon and the reg cabs have a smaller one. Either way though I took a sending unit out of a reg cab thinking it would be the same but the pickups were shaped different. I believe the supercab ones were longer.

 

[adsm08]

what I was thinking was using a mechanical sending unit (no provision for in tank pump) and use an inline electric Hi pressure pump on a toggle... Pretty much just like what we do on our race cars. Just no fuel cell. If I had enough money to play with right now i would just pick up a 15-19 gallon square fuel cell and mount it behind the rear end lol

You can still do that actually. Remove the low pressure pump and place some line in that section of the pickup.

Ya I believe (correct me if im wrong) the supercabs have like a 17 gallon and the reg cabs have a smaller one. Either way though I took a sending unit out of a reg cab thinking it would be the same but the pickups were shaped different. I believe the supercab ones were longer.

No, the ex cab tank is smaller, only about 14.5 gallons.

 

[the_intimidator03]

so basically just fill in the distance that the in tank pump would take up with a hose. Well wish me luck yanking my bed off... got some grinding work to do and a leak in the sending unit area of my fuel tank... gotta fix it thanks again

 

[adsm08]

Yeah. It might take some trial and error to get it perfect. But that is essentially how the Super Duty trucks do it. The gasser has an in-tank pump, the diesel just has a pickup with a level sender. The electric pump on the frame of the diesel does the lifting work.

 

[the_intimidator03]

well got the bed off had a cracked line (return I believe) on the fuel tank sender... so need to get a new one. Happen to know what that valve is just behind the cab on the tank? its got a single black hard plastic line to it... i think its a vacuum line which I know mine is broke.