fuel tanks/ fuel level

[staxs5000]

91, (10/90)7.3 Banks e4od F350 dual tanks, problems seems to be I run out of fuel between 1/2 & 1/4 tank both tanks with no stutter or warnings, most I have ever gotten in the tanks on fill up and I do mean FILL all the way to the cap just to see what I can fit and look for any leaks or wet spots (never found any), even shaking the truck and going slow on the pump waiting for the foam to subside and squeeze alittle more, most I have fit is 14-15 gallons in each tank.
Of course I am also chasing random start problems sometimes starts like a dream barely even a haze our the pipe other times starts quick shuts off and alittle crank to restart and sometimes hard start with shaking and blowing whitish smoke solid for almost a minute, seems to matter how long it sits over nite, weekend, or 3-4 hours, other than that always starts like a champ when only shut down for fuel or a run in a store or loading time.
I'm sure it's an air problem on that side but at the moment I'm more worried about running out of fuel, and having to crank and cuss with horns and middle fingers all around me in traffic, never gives me enough warning to switch tanks and cant turn any miles when your at the pump at 1/2 tank all the time so it doesn't happen.
Any suggestions on where to test, look, or start before dropping tanks or pulling the bed?

 

[ToughOldFord]

Your Cone of Failure has failed. Very common problem in these trucks. There's a plastic piece at the end of the sending units in your tanks. It gets brittle and falls off leaving that last 1/4 tank of fuel unobtainable.

 

[ToughOldFord]

Pictures of the Cone of Failure and the fixes:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1026825-fuel-tank-sending-units-2.html#post12907382

 

[staxs5000]

Kinda figured it was a fuel pick up problem, but wasn't sure, would that account for the suddenness of running out or am I missing the signs when its about to run out been in plenty of trucks and usually get lots of warning or is it because I am new to this truck?
Is it the same part midship and aft tank?
Thanks ToughOldFord for such a quick reply and links to pics that helped me understand better.
Opinions on which route to go replace foot (if can be found yet) or the hose with the v cuttout like read and pictured?
I like the idea and design of the oem with large foot, screen and the bypass but could be another fail point with the bypass valve, but I like the simplicity of the hose repair if can find the right hose for submersion in fuel.

 

[mf7lakes]

shower head / rear tank removal:

http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?67956-Shower-Head-Rear-Tank-Removal

great pics and advice..........

 

[ToughOldFord]

I did the hose with the notch for the time being, but I did pick up a new cone for later. Amazon has it:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042HBSYE...e=df0&creative=395109&creativeASIN=B0042HBSYE

 

[franklin2]

even shaking the truck and going slow on the pump waiting for the foam to subside and squeeze a little more, most I have fit is 14-15 gallons in each tank.

Just to let you know you will not ever get much more than that in the tank. The tanks are only 19 gallon, and have a 2 or 3 gallon reserve. When you are on the reserve, the float on the sending unit is resting on the bottom stop. So when the needle is on empty and not bobbing around much, you are getting ready to run out. So after you fix the pickup, it won't stall out anymore, but you will still be close to the same on your fill-up schedule.