Ford Gas Tank Question....???

[TM7]

I noticed the gas guage quit working in my '88 F-150. This truck has two tanks and neither tank, after switching, will register fuel level. I'm not too thrilled about taking the bed off to access the top of these tanks to replace float mechanisms; yet I need a gas guage in this day and age. Is there anything I should be looking for to get this guage working, or even an after market device that will tell me fuel level in these tanks???

thanx in advance.....................TM7

[str8shooter48]

Try a Chevy.   :wink:    

[Graybeard]

Ford trucks of that era both Bronco and pickups have a real problem with the gas gauges giving up early in life. On my '86 the floats actually split and let gas enter them and that's why it wasn't working. New floats IF you can find them are NOT cheap. All the Broncos I've owned prior to the last one a '92 had the gages stop registering before the 100K mark. I never bothered to check why but just lived with it.

I really think you'll find the problem inside the tanks. Good luck with it. On the '86 the switch to change tanks also gave up on it at about 140K to 150K. Matt now owns it and has blown the engine again so it don't really matter for now.  :eek:

[Graybeard]

Can't help ya on that as I have no clue. I do know it was a real pain to drop the tanks just to find the problem and then we ended up not fixing it. All the older vehicles will pretty well have the same problem so a used part isn't likely to help. You "might" be able to solder the seam on it well enough to seal it back IF you can get all the gas out of it so it will float again. On mine they were made of copper and it was two hemispheres soldered together to form a ball as I recall. The seam leaked.

[ShadowMover]

Leaking seams on soldered brass tank and carb floats have been a problem since they were invented  :roll:  Make sure the float is empty and then you can locate the leak by putting a cold float into hot water; the bubbles will show you where it's come apart. The good news is they are easily soldered with a small soldering iron, and a little rosin core solder. Be sure to recheck for leaks by holding it under hot water after the solder job.  Clean the brass and flux with a little waterless hand clean to get it clean before reinstalling it.  Test the sender unit too while you have it out. Sometimes the little wiper arm that slides over the resistance wire gets loose and you have to bend it to push against the spiraled wire.
BTW the last one of these I worked on was in a Chevy  :wink:

[DirtyHarry]

I think you are going to need the sending unit, if it is the same as an 87 the float and pickup are all one unit. I replaced the Bro-in-laws a few years back and as I recall it was a ford only part, so unless things have changed you wont be picking one up at the local auto parts store and I believe it was a little north of $220.00.
It was real easy to replace, I took out the 6 bed bolts and lifted the bed up a couple feet with the cherry picker.

[howdy doody]

I read your post and the first thing that came to mind was a power issue. I.E. could there be a fuse blown, since both senders quit at once and all.

[Lives2hunt]

I've got a 79 Ford F150 & the gauge on one tank doesn't work but the other tank works great. I just burn the fuel out of the broken tank 1st then I can gauge how much is left in the other. Let us know if that new unit works out.

[Niner]

88 F150?  79 F150?  Have you fellows ever considered buying a new truck?  These trucks do wear out you know.   

[victorcharlie]

I replaced the tank and sending unit on my 84 F-250 last year.  I didn't have to remove the bed, but mine is a single 19 gallon tank.

[victorcharlie]

88 F150?  79 F150?  Have you fellows ever considered buying a new truck?  These trucks do wear out you know.   

Nothing last forever but old Fords, and a natural stone....(Diamonds are forever)........