Sorry to be "this guy....." 1985 Bullnose f150

[Burnston]

Hate to post a non-handgun topic, but I'm in a dead-end bind. Any of you guys deal with the old bullnose Ford f150s from the 80s? More specifically, a 1985 5.0 302 v8, electronic fuel-injected short bed 4x4 with a single fuel tank? Having a problem with my single-tank fuel reservoir, which was a .75 cent part in 1985, but because it was exclusively produced by Ford with no aftermarket rights, it has become as rare as hen's teeth and as cheap as $580 from a junkyard in Wisconsin. Trying to make the best of my broken part, but I need some guidance from someone who has dealt with these trucks, and being a singleaction forum member makes you more trustworthy than the average shade-tree mechanic. 

Please get in touch with me if you know anything about these old trucks. 

[pete]

Can you show us a picture or two? I had an 86, great truck

[gnappi]

When my son's 80's Silverado had leaking tanks the mechanic suggested going to one tank but luckily the cost to go single vs. double tanks was a wash, I wonder if a single tank solution is an option for you?

[bigbrowndog]

Had an 85 Bronco, but 351ci, and single tank but don’t remember any issues. Also it was a throttle body early fuel inj.

Trapr

[Burnston]

Nov 6, 2023 17:46:47 GMT -5 pete said:

Can you show us a picture or two? I had an 86, great truck

I'm after a fuel filter reservoir/housing for a 1985 f150 short bed, single tank, EFI. These see to be pretty rare.

From what I understand, these parts used to be factor issue only, and it seems even that source has dried up. I did find a single tank reservoir in Wisconsin for something over $580, which seems a tad unreasonable to me.



On my current part, one of the ports for my RETURN line is broke, as indicated below.

I am a parts swapper at best; that said, I have four options, assuming I cannot simply find a new reservoir.

1. Plug the return line ports and keep using the same broken part for my supply line, and and simply connect my return line, bypassing the reservoir with it completely.
2. Use a piece of 5/16 All-Thread and a gasoline resistant epoxy and create a red-neck version of a new return line port.
3. Find and use a dual tank reservoir, plug the two extra ports, and disable the tank selector valve, then add an in-line filter to my supply line.
4. Locate what someone referred to as a "swirl pot?" Apparently these can be used as both a filter and a reservoir, but I am unfamiliar with them, both as a part and as a concept.

These are uneducated, last resort options at best.

[pete]

1.Get a piece of tubing the correct size needed.
2. File that nub off flat.
3. Drill with the correct size bit into the hole. Go a 1/2 inch deep if you can. Roll some sandpaper up to just slide in and twist it to rough up the inside of the hole.
4. Cut a piece of the tubing to the desired length. Rough up the end going in the hole.
5. Degrease the hole and the tube with alcohol.
6. Spread a THIN layer of JB Weld in the hole with a toothpick or some such. Spread some on the tube and slide it in the housing.
7. Let cure in a warm building overnight.
This should get you back on the road. I've driven lots of rough old trucks, you should be good to go. I'll pm you my number in case you need more info

[longoval]

Aftermarket in-line filter?

[Burnston]

Nov 7, 2023 5:22:35 GMT -5 longoval said:

Aftermarket in-line filter?

I thought the same thing; just eliminate the reservoir. Unfortunately the reservoir has a pressure regulator inside necessary for the supply, and the return dumps a little back in on its way back to the tank to keep the supply furnished with a little extra fuel when you’re going up a hill or running at a high rpm.

[magnumwheelman]

I would look at threading the broken off area, & finding a threaded barb end brass piece to insert... even if that required a custom adaptor, like threading the outside of some copper tube, to thread into the hole, after it had been threaded ( may be slow going on threading the old part, it kind of looks brittle )

[ideal]

Nov 7, 2023 9:11:47 GMT -5 magnumwheelman said:

I would look at threading the broken off area, & finding a threaded barb end brass piece to insert... even if that required a custom adaptor, like threading the outside of some copper tube, to thread into the hole, after it had been threaded ( may be slow going on threading the old part, it kind of looks brittle )

I agree completely. Clean off the remnants of the broken area and replace it with either a plastic (nylon) barb fitting or a brass one. It appears that you should be able to open the port slightly and thread it internally for a screw-in fitting. I'd also look at gluing the piece in, but be certain the glue will not soften or dissolve when exposed to gas vapor. Does this piece have any electrical connections?

[bigbrowndog]

Agree with the others saying file outside flat, drill for appropriate brass or plastic fittings. My preference would be thread it and JB weld it. Another option would be use a copper tube that you can flare and insert it from the inside and then JB it.

Trapr

[jpw480]

looks like the same one they put on the ford rangers too. buddy has a truck like yours ill ask him to chime in.

[Burnston]

Thanks for all the input, gentlemen. This is a lot more feedback, and of far more value than any of the three Ford/F150 forums I've posted on combined. It's bound to be all of our collective enthusiasm for wheel guns; there's just no logical basis for common ground otherwise.

[magnumwheelman]

some of use are also "car guys" as well as firearms enthusiasts

[ideal]

It appears to be Ford P/N E6TZ9K044A Fuel Reservoir if that helps your search. This may be a salvage yard item, but they appear to show up from time to time on ebay.

Here's an interesting thread on F150net.com if it helps any: www.fordf150.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=136305

Best I could come up with so far,

Bob