Can someone tell me what size gas tank is supposed to be on a 78? I tried to search the threads but could not find my answer. Dearborne classics states that a 26 gal is used for 74-79 rancheros, but then says that 22 gal straps are for 77/79 rancheros and that 26 gal tank was used in 74/76 rancheros. I have always thought my tank was about 20 gal, and no, I have not yet gotten under to check for measurements. Has anyone used one of the gas tank repair kits before? I have brown dirty gas making its way to my fuel filter and carb. Thanks for any thoughts/advice.
I think the 77/9 had the larger tank.. I am pretty sure the 26 gal tank is the only one reproduced.. Do Not buy it from Dearborn you can find it a lot cheaper on line...My opinion tank repair kits suck and are only a last ditch temporary soluition...
Thanks for the info. So far Speedy Car Parts has the 26 gal for about 160 + 30 for S/H. Dearborn wants about 300. Kow of any other good sites? I know I looked at parts train, auto parts warehouse and others.
The '74 thru '79 used 26 gallon tanks, both use the same straps (I know, I ordered a new set for the larger tank and compared them with the existing 22 gallon tank - with a site member as a witness... All vendors are buying the same tank reproduction (made in Canada) from the same vendor so were it me, I'd shop price - you will get the same tank built by the same people no matter if you order from AutoKrafters, or Dearborn, or Rock Auto. It is possible someone swapped in a '72/'73 22 gallon fuel tank, I can't imagine why unless theirs had a leak and that was all they could get their hands on.
Here is one on ebay, good luck they has a lot of tanks !!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/21-g...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3efab93392
Rock Auto lists it out at $113.99, part number is F4C: FORDRANCHERO 500(1974 - 1979)FORDRANCHERO GT(1974 - 1979)FORDRANCHERO SQUIRE(1974 - 1979) http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php
Rock auto 145 shipped to me in Califorina,, http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1136696&parttype=6268&a=FRc1136696k17238
Actually... My 79 had a 22 gallon tank in it originally. When it decided to start leaking, I replaced it with a 26 gallon tank since they are the only replacement available. Watch ebay. They show up every so often and the price is usually pretty good!! As mentioned above, the straps are the same for both the 22 and the 26 gallon tanks. I also bought a NEW sending unit from Autokrafters. It was well worth the extra cost, since when installed everything was clean, new and had new seals. No muss, no fuss, no leaks!! Plus you know the float works correctly!!! With e-bay and Autokrafters I ended up having a local shop do the install, since I had to be out of town on business and didn't want gas leaking all over the garage while I was gone. Total cost including the shop, was less than buying the tank from Autozone!!! So-o-o shop around a little before you buy. Lance
Yes. Get the new tank, the sending unit, the filler pipe seal and O-ring for the sender and perhaps longer carraige bolts for the straps and you should be good to go.
Ebay seller is actually listing a 21 gal one now???????? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/21-g...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories but for $13 difference I would still go for the 26 gal rock auto one.
I like the 75 - 85 mile range improvement in Bluefish I get with the larger tank that I get over the original '72 22 gallon unit. In Goldfish it just gets me another 40 - 50 miles but even that is an improvement. Over the course of a full day's travel it is fewer stops for go-go juice I have to make.
Gas Tank Fix Agreed, the best option is a new tank, sending unit, and donut. My tank was giving off the rusty stuff, clogging the filter and carb. It seemed [in 2004] there were no reman tanks so the a fix was the best thing to do; everything is still OK after about 3000 miles. The kit that was used came from a well known parts supplier but there were 2 "ungood" about the kit: #1 the cost was a heap more than the same thing from a local motorcycle shop and #2 the instructions were in the pits, impossible to follow. The parts supplier ignored a phone call and a letter of complaint. The name and address of the parts supplier can be had with an email.
Dave I have two tanks here and the correct straps if you are interested. E-mail me rancherodan@comcast.net
The 77 I just got still had the owner's manual in it. After a heart attack at the pump (it was showing E) I read the manual and it says 26 gals. Now I don't look for leaks. Love the distance between fill ups. Wish my 74 F100 was this big. It has a 360 in it. Gas hawg deluxe.
Thanks Thanks to everyone who helped me out. I did buy the 22 gal tank from ebay but it was actually the 26 gal tank. My tank was actually the smaller 22 gal tank and boy oh boy it was rusted - the sending unit even had rust on it. The larger tank went right in with my 22 gal straps, they just did not go as high on the mounting bolts. Now I have 2 other questions. We broke some of the plastic valve on top of the tank. Just the end, the seal is still good and the valve inside seems to move freely. Where does the molded line go? Is it important, as I have no charcoal canister any more? What is (or where can I get) the inlet seal called. The 2"-3" rubber grommet in the top side of the tank that the filler tube (if that is what it is called) goes into. Thanks so much!
My gas tank saga continues. Got a new sending unit from Autokrafters but after a 2 month wait they said Ford and their supplier for the filler tube seals were having some sort of disagreement, so no new ones were arriving. Got a new evap valve from Dearborn, but no seals available from them. i assume it is like a PCV grommet, different from the flat-bottomed valve on my '73 which uses a locking ring like the sending unit. Anyone have some help for the Black Night and I??
I have the 26 gal tank in my '62 yes '62 Ranchero. It worked great.At the time I couldn't find one for the '62. They just started making them.When I bought the 26 gal I need a sending unit and I was told none was availible.A friend of mine has a salvage yard and he told me that a Ranchero and a Thunderbird was the same gas tank and the filler neck was the only difference.I got a Thunderbird tank and got the sending unit.Yes they are the same.
You can install the '74 up 26 gallon tank in the '73. You need the tank, the sending unit, the vent and the vent grommet, the straps will work (in fact, they are the same) although you might need some longer carraige bolts.
