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Cannot fill my gas tank 72 GTS factory original |
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fordismyboss 
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 Topic: Cannot fill my gas tank 72 GTS factory originalPosted: 27-July-2018 at 3:43AM |
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I have read all the posts on this subject.
When the gauge reads empty, I can only get about 14 gallons in before it shuts off, even if I move the nozzle around and fill VERY SLOWLY. At this point the gauge reads 7/8 to 15/16 full, not fully pegged well above full which is typical for Fords of this vintage. 1. ) I don’t think it’s the gauge as it reads the same on two different factory gauges. 2.) I don’t think it’s the sender as it runs out of gas 20 miles after showing empty. 3.) There is no rust/debris showing in the glass in-line filter I installed just before the fuel pump. 4.) Removed the tube at the charcoal canister and blew back down the tube and it seems restricted and there is no heavy fuel smell. 5.) There is a small dent in the bottom of the tank and I’m wondering if the pick-up tube is right there and the tube has been bumped upward.
What have I missed?
Is my only option to remove the tank and inspect/replace the
breather valve and inspect the fuel pick-up tube?
Edited by fordismyboss - 27-July-2018 at 8:53AM |
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7T9_Tbird
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Posted: 27-July-2018 at 4:05AM |
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Sounds like the sensor is at fault. There may be corrision at the top of the sender's sweep not letting the gauge show it's full sweep. if you can remove the wire from the sender, try grounding it to the chassis with the key on-if the gauge sweeps past full, I'd replace the sender. If it doesn't, it may also be nicked wires or corroded contacts in the plug on your gauges, the sender or someplace in between. Hope this helps!
 
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John
79 Thunderbird Heritage 79 Thunderbird Town Landau 02 Ram 1500 Sport Quad Cab |
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fordismyboss
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Posted: 27-July-2018 at 5:19AM |
The gauge currently reads 7/8 full and I just added 14 gallons before the pump shut off. When I short the connector on the tank to ground, the gauge sweeps past full as it should. If I had 20-21 gallons in the tank I believe the sender would send the proper signal to the gauge and it would sweep past full again. This is why I think it's the breather valve not allowing the air bubble in the top of the tank to escape......but? I even filled the tank at a gas station that had a sloped driveway dropping the nose of the car. I was hoping this would allow more gallons into the tank.....but even this did not work! Any more ideas? THANK YOU!
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Rockatansky
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Posted: 27-July-2018 at 7:38AM |
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get rid of the glass filter! you can remove the sender w/o dropping the tank or spilling fuel if the level is low, pull the sender and inspect / clean the rheostat then find the vent line from the tank where it connects to the canister and see if you can pull a vacuum on it with a vac-ula tool with the gas cap off or when you have the sender out. this same test with the sender installed and the cap on will test the cap vent
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72 GT Ute
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fordismyboss
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Posted: 27-July-2018 at 7:52AM |
I have a vac-ula tool. Do I understand this correctly?: with the gas cap off, I should not be able to pull a vacumn, thus the valve will be venting into the canister? With the gas cap on, I should be able to pull a vacumn, thus the valve is closed so fuel will not migrate to the canister?
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Rockatansky
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Posted: 27-July-2018 at 8:37AM |
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i would expect you should be able to pull a vacuum at all times with the cap on or off, thus the tank is able to vent same line of thinking you should also be able to blow (gently) into the tank at all times as a function of venting fuel expands and contracts so the vent should allow pressure transition both ways? testing with the cap on & off is only confirming that the cap is not preventing tank venting Edited by Rockatansky - 27-July-2018 at 8:39AM |
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72 GT Ute
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californiajohnny
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Posted: 27-July-2018 at 2:26PM |
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hmm if it runs out 20 miles past empty and not quite going to full...i'd guess the float rod needs tweaked down about 1/8" at the float
 sounds like you still have a couple gallons in the tank when it reads "E"
Edited by californiajohnny - 27-July-2018 at 2:27PM |
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JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
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Rockatansky
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Posted: 27-July-2018 at 2:52PM |
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i forgot to mention be prepared to replace the complete sender or float upon inspection the float just snaps into a wire loop, you can pop it out and shake it, determine if it's 'heavy' or just replace it |
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72 GT Ute
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72FordGTS
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Posted: 28-July-2018 at 2:06AM |
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I am kind of thinking along the lines of Johnny. Make sure your tank is actually empty when it reads empty. I would tend to think it's something not adjusted correct with the float (too heavy) and or the sending unit isn't reading correctly. I'd probably pull it to inspect if it were my car.
I know my '72 is a royal pain to fill up completely and I likely never get it completely full. I find you have to go very slow when it's near full, other wise it spills out from that vent line connected to the neck. So I have not doubt part of the reason is these cars are just difficult to fill to 100%.
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Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
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fordismyboss
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Posted: 28-July-2018 at 11:49AM |
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I just ruled-out the breather valve because I can hear air going both ways through the valve at about a 5-8 PSI with the gas cap off. As noted above, the valve must be for expansion and contraction, and also to replace the fuel with air as the fuel is consumed. I do not believe this valve allows for air to be displaced by fuel during filling. Seems too much air pressure is required to open the valve to be effective during re-fueling. Unless the valve is defective. Regardless if the sensor is working or not, when I run out of gas I should be able to get 20 gallons into this 22 gallon tank! I'm going to order a new sensor/pick-up and report back. Thank you!
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Rockatansky
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Posted: 28-July-2018 at 12:29PM |
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IIRC there's a filler tube vent built in for air transfer while filling the tank
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72 GT Ute
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californiajohnny
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Posted: 29-July-2018 at 5:47AM |
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yes there is a 3/4" dia. vent tube at the top of the filler neck area of the tank, at least on all the 74's i parted out did...
you wouldn't think that with a fill tube of 2 1/2" dia. wouldn't allow air to pass as the filling of gas is only running down a portion of that tube??? but we dropped the tank on one of my step bro's ranger, it had a small hose inside the fill hose when i put the tank back in we forgot the stupid small hose , it would fill but you had to go slow or it would spit gas back out  |
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JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
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fordismyboss
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Posted: 26-January-2019 at 7:13AM |
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I FINALLY installed the new sending unit! Recap: when I "filled" the tank the most I could put in was about 14-15 gallons, the gauge would read 7/8 full. When empty it still seemed to have about 3-5 gallons in the tank. Upon removal, the old unit looked in perfect condition. No fuel in the float either. The inside of the tank was as close to new as you could get. I was stunned.  No need to replace the tank! I went ahead with the install of the new unit and when I "filled" the tank again.........drum roll..........the gauge now reads 1/2 full!!!!!!!!!!!  Now I wish I compared the arm travel of the old v. new unit! Does the old unit look like a Ford original part? More to come on this issue.  Edited by fordismyboss - 26-January-2019 at 7:25AM |
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californiajohnny
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Posted: 26-January-2019 at 8:27AM |
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the resistance range is critical when using non original parts from my experience.
i'd test each sender out of the tank, connected to the cars wiring (you'll need to clamp on a ground wire to the top or the hose barb if the plug don't have a ground) move the float all the way down...does the gauge read E? now move it all the way up... does it read F? do the same with the new unit... if the travel of the float is correct inside the tank area (not hitting any obstructions), if it can't go down without hitting and up without hitting then the float rod would need shortened chances are it may need bent a hair if it goes all the way to E or F but not the opposite, if that makes sense? check that the connections at both the gauge and the sender are clean and snug fitting! if neither senders read correctly doing it manually out of the tank, then maybe the gauge isn't reading correctly???  Edited by californiajohnny - 26-January-2019 at 8:28AM |
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JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
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californiajohnny
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Posted: 26-January-2019 at 8:31AM |
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disregard the part i said about the additional jumper ground wire... i see the ground terminal in the pic
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JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
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Rockatansky
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Posted: 26-January-2019 at 9:20AM |
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is it just me or is the length of the tube on the shiny one much shorter than the other, and why are the floats oriented opposite?
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72 GT Ute
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hogfiddles
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Posted: 26-January-2019 at 11:07AM |
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Tube lengths are indeed different. Could be for a different tank, different year, manufacturer,etc....it will affect how long the fuel can be picked up. But if the tanks bottoms both match the tube, then both should be empty at the correct time. If the short tube is put in a tank that should have a long tube, the it will run out of gas before it really actually runs out of gas. The fuel level will run out of tube length first.
The float-- they are simply on different sides because sombody clip them on on different sides. They just clip into the wire U. Dave |
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1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold
1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project 1972 Gran Torino - parts 1969 Torino GT - M code 95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies) |
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Rockatansky
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Posted: 26-January-2019 at 12:28PM |
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shiny rheostat also looks to be higher on the shorter tube i know they just snap into the wire loop, if the float sits on the sock it'll never drop down all the way if that should be the case. hard to tell laying down the way they are
Edited by Rockatansky - 26-January-2019 at 12:29PM |
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72 GT Ute
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hogfiddles
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Posted: 26-January-2019 at 2:07PM |
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You're right......tough to tell from that angle. I have one that I THINK is the same thing as the bright shiny (probably stainless steel) one. I'll go out and see if that arm is long en0ugh for the float to drop past the end of the sock.
Dave |
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1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold
1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project 1972 Gran Torino - parts 1969 Torino GT - M code 95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies) |
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fordismyboss
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Posted: 27-January-2019 at 4:09AM |
Yes, the pick-up tube on the new one is shorter. I wish I checked the tube angle when I noticed the difference. Both floats appear able to go down all the way. I wonder if MAC's sent me a sender for a Mustang or something else. I'll check the box and the on-line images. |
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californiajohnny
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Posted: 27-January-2019 at 4:20AM |
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hmm, possible, mac's have been really good with all the stuff i got from them, except they sent mustang door bushings for my torino. now with all the recent mustang parts... i asked them to toss in a catalog, they did! but for a falcon
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JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
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Rockatansky
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Posted: 27-January-2019 at 11:10AM |
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the difference could be for different capacity tanks?
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72 GT Ute
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hogfiddles
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Posted: 27-January-2019 at 11:29AM |
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And wasn't there another forum recently where there was a discussion of the later tank on a '72.....a little less angle, a little more fuel, etc.....? It would make sense then.......I'll get out after supper to look at my extra sender--it came out of a '78 cougar (and it was a brand new one in a brand new tank with brand new straps......before the interior obviously caught fire and then burned up. That's the one that I got all the parts from that I have listed in the ''parts for sale' section.
Dave |
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1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold
1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project 1972 Gran Torino - parts 1969 Torino GT - M code 95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies) |
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Rockatansky
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Posted: 27-January-2019 at 11:31AM |
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try putting that sender in, maybe it's a winner ...
Edited by Rockatansky - 27-January-2019 at 11:31AM |
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72 GT Ute
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hogfiddles
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Posted: 27-January-2019 at 3:14PM |
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Sending unit from '78 cougar- yes I know it's not the '72 torino... but it's for comparison and extrapilation. Hope it help somehow..... if it warms up a bit next weekend so I can dig through the snow and into my parts car, I'll get out THAT sending unit which Is SUPPOSED to be for a '72....
"Full"  "Empty"  Looks like the float contacts the tube but it really doesn't... 
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1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold
1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project 1972 Gran Torino - parts 1969 Torino GT - M code 95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies) |
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fordismyboss
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Posted: 02-February-2019 at 6:06AM |
Test the old unit? Ok, so yesterday I did just that!I unplugged the connector from the new unit which is in the tank, to the old unit set-up with the float in the EMPTY position. Turned on the key and the needle moved up very slightly to just below the empty position. Good! Turned the key off, put the float into the FULL position, turned on the key and watched the needle sweep past full and peg at the stop, just like it should! This confirms my old sender is good and it may be sitting slightly above the bottom of the tank(which I will check), OR my tank vent valve must be bad because I could never get the tank full. MAC's have one for $65! Is there a good LOW COST FORD TANK VALVE out there that will fit a '72 Torino? I can't find one! |
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californiajohnny
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Posted: 02-February-2019 at 9:21AM |
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is that vent just a plastic elbow in the top of the tank or does it go in to the bottom of the tank??? IDK never removed one but i have a couple good tanks i saved...
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JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
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Rockatansky
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Posted: 02-February-2019 at 9:51AM |
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i forget where i got mine but don't pay  $plan on replacing the grommet any time you mess with one https://www.dearbornclassics.com/fuel-tank-vent-valve-ranchero-torino-1972-1979.html
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72 GT Ute
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72RogerGT
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Posted: 12-February-2019 at 5:09AM |
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If I remember correctly I used one for a jeep and it worked let me see if I can find the part number.
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72RogerGT
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Posted: 12-February-2019 at 5:16AM |
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Found it the part is made by Dorman #911-060 I also bought the seal
 here you can see some of the parts I used.
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7T9_Tbird wrote: