Which 33/38 gallon rear tank?

Macrobb

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My '93 F-250's rear tank is leaking. Looks like it's probably a seam or pinhole; it's kind of rusty and time to replace it.

So... Upgrade time!
I've heard of plenty of people upgrading to a 33 or 38 gallon rear tank, like this topic.

The problem is, I've seen three different part numbers out there that *could* work:
Spectra Premium F8E
F8D
F26E

Can anyone give me some idea which is the best one to use?

I think the F8D is probably the most economical, but I'm not sure if it'll work right.

Any thoughts on this?
 

tjsea

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I used the f26d in my 86, but I think the f26e is a bolt in for your year.
 

IDIoit

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you need to measure the length of your tank. the 33 gallon is like 22" long, and the 38 gallon tank is like 25" long.
check this measurement before ordering.
 

Macrobb

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I totally forgot about this topic I made.

The final result was:
I got the F26E from Ebay. and I'm pretty happy.

I did a couple things different than that post, though:
1. Didn't bother modifying the level sender. It hits empty at about 16-20 gallons left, due to the extra capacity. Meh.
2. Soldered on the copper tube for the pickup side of things to the end of the metal line, then put the pickup on the other side. One solder joint, no cutting, done.
3. Did not mess with the return line side. It's probably not 'right' as at low tank levels the return fuel will splash down, but it hasn't caused me any problems.
4. Didn't paint or prime it or anything. Mine was galvanized on the outside, and I was short on time anyway.

I also did this with the bed off, making access to the tanks and senders really easy.
Removing the bed isn't hard at all, especially if you have an impact.
The front two bolts can be a pain as they want to spin, so I had to cut a groove in the top with an angle grinder and make a "flat blade" screwdriver-type head, then use a piece of metal and vicegrip to keep it from turning.
(this also means the bolts can be re-used, vs cutting the head off).

I did it complete in one evening with a friend(you need someone to hold the other end of the aforementioned bed bolts, and it's nice having help with the new tank).
 

genscripter

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1. Didn't bother modifying the level sender. It hits empty at about 16-20 gallons left, due to the extra capacity. Meh.


Bummer. I'd rather have it read "F" more than "E" early. SInce you can easily access the sender in a truck, you should pull it out and bend the float wire down more, so it reaches closer to the tank.

Kinda like what I did with the 460 sender for my IDI van tank:
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Thewespaul

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Bummer. I'd rather have it read "F" more than "E" early. SInce you can easily access the sender in a truck, you should pull it out and bend the float wire down more, so it reaches closer to the tank.

Kinda like what I did with the 460 sender for my IDI van tank:
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This is what I’ve done in the past and with a few in and outs of the sender and checking the reading on the gauge you can get it pretty close
 

DougsOBS

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When I did mine I used some Tig weld filler rod to make a new arm, 2 or 3 tries and now it reads empty with a 3-4 gallon reserve.
 

Macrobb

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I'Ve thought about it, and might when I go in to replace the front tank with a stock plastic tank from a '94. Turns out the reason both of my factory tanks were leaking was a 1/8" hole someone drilled in the bottom... and then put a screw and JB weld to seal it up, without cleaning/priming the surface first.
JB weld works wonders... as long as rust doesn't get under it.
 

03wr250f

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My question for those of you who have done the rear 38 gal tank, what did you do with your spare tire?
 

Macrobb

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Spare tire?

Oh, you mean the one that has never been under there anyway, due to it being really hard to get it in or out with the bolts rusted out...

If I bring a spare with me, I just throw it in the bed. Honestly, though... I more or less forgot about it for months and simply haven't had a spare with me.
I haven't been going on long trips away from home, though.
 

david85

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Spare tire?

Oh, you mean the one that has never been under there anyway, due to it being really hard to get it in or out with the bolts rusted out...

If I bring a spare with me, I just throw it in the bed. Honestly, though... I more or less forgot about it for months and simply haven't had a spare with me.
I haven't been going on long trips away from home, though.

LOL its funny, I only started hauling the spare under the rear tank after the restoration...and I'm still not sold on it. Before that, it just sat in the bed.
 
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