prepump and in tank mod lessons learned. - Diesel Forum

youngster · 03-13-2003, 08:34 PM

Well, after 6 hours today my tank is finally back up and the van is driveable. Yes, I took some pictures but don't have somewhere to post them. Did I mention I have a steel fuel tank (midship) and the pick up assembly bolts down to the top of the tank? No plastic screw on ring - no plastic tank. I tried a lot of different configurations on the return line with little sucess. The return tube just won't work inside the tank because there is a squareish pan 3-4" tall and about 10" in length and 8" in width that is affixed somehow to the bottom of the tank. The return line bend on the pick up assembly itself is too low to pass over this. I ended up using a hose and draped it over the "pan". My guess is that the pan is there to keep fuel from sloshing around reducing the chances that the pump will suck air when extremely low on fuel. I'll drop the tank in a month or so and see how the rubber hose is holding up inside the tank immersed in fuel.

I'm not sure I would do the in tank mod again. My quick disconnect fittings are different than those on the pick up and after talking with Dennis at ITP, we think they are A/C fittings. These don't leak significantly when checked with a vacuum pump. The only fitting I found that DID leak significantly was the fitting at the fuel pump that uses a horseshoe type clip. I was unable to harpoon the vent tube in the tank as it is tucked up too close to the top of the tank. I think my fill up problems are more linked to the very long fill tube neck that extends down into the tank and looks to have a silk type sock over the end. The sock filter looks as if it would stop all debris including coarse dust from entering the tank. This "filter" hangs down into the tank about 5".

For the van, I don't think the in tank mods are necessary unless you are going to do the return regulator. After talking with Dennis at ITP, the differences between the pick up and the van are significant. Maybe pull the assembly out and add a hose clamp to the umbrella pick up. If you are going to add the return regulator I think the mixing valve needs to be removed and the retun line taken away from the pump pick up tube.
As for a pre pump filter I am going to Ford in the morning and see how much the short hose is from the hard line to the pump costs before I cut into it. This is where I will put the Baldwin Filter assembly I have-- right under the driver's feet easy access to drain the filter. I should be able to drain it as I am getting in or out of the driver side door.

If you are going to drop the tank, and it is steel held up with straps, here are some things that will make dropping it easier.

1- Get an air ratchet with a 15mm deep socket on it. The nuts are on the top of the driver side frame rail and are not easily removed -- even with a ratchet--(maybe that is because I have a propane tank bolted to the frame right in the way!)

2. Don't drop the tank with more than 1/8 of a tank of fuel. It's tough enough to handle as it is.

3. Use 2 floor jacks to drop the tank with an 8" square piece of plywood on the top to aid in balancing the tank on its way down. It's easier than only using one -- trust me.

I have word from my welder in the midwest that my intercooler design has been fabricated. I don't know if it fits yet or not. I think there will be a lot of changes before I cut into the hood so I can hook it up.

Hope your day was as good as mine!
Colin

Aceman · 03-13-2003, 09:29 PM

Colin, All us vanners thank you for your attention to detail explaining about this mod.
I'am probably going to do the in tank and pre pump mods soon,then the regulator mod,so thanks for the heads up. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
By the way,awesome van you have there (I received the pics) [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

youngster · 03-13-2003, 09:43 PM

Aceman,
Thanks for the complement on my van! I'm going to put the rear racks on this weekend as I am running support for the Ride for Kids dualsport event this weekend. I'll send you a picture of it with the racks on if you'd like. The picture you saw was before the bigger tires and air bags were installed.
Good luck with your mods. Take your time and plan all day. It shouldn't take all day but this kit isn't for a van and you will probably have to tweak it a little. The bigges time saver is the air ratchet.
Colin

msnunes · 03-14-2003, 10:23 AM

Thanks for the info... This makes me re-think needing the in-tank mod, and even possibly the pre-pump mod though it's much easier. Opinion?

I think I would now only consider doing the in-tank if I were to coordinate it with a tank upgrade (46 gallon TF tank) to make it worth the effort and downtime...

Do we get to see the pics too???

youngster · 03-14-2003, 10:47 AM

After driving last night, the van is quieter. The tank is a pain in the backside because the pan inside the tank interfered with the steel return line in the tank. all other parts of the ITP kit worked great. Instructions were very clear. I'm going to do some thinking and if I come up with a way to make this install better I'll call Dennis and let him know so they can modify the kit for the van. He had never heard of fixed pan in the bottom of the tank. I am going to drop the tank in a month or so to check the fittings and maybe by then I'll have a soloution to the return line challenge.
I have pics of the tank, and the pickup assembly but don't have anywhere to post them yet. I cn send them to you later if you would like. Email me and I'll get them to you.
Colin

JimmyDee · 03-14-2003, 10:56 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I have pics of the tank, and the pickup assembly but don't have anywhere to post them yet. I cn send them to you later if you would like. Email me and I'll get them to you.
Colin

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes you do. You have an account right here at TDS. 2 meg of space in the photo section. Just set it up and up load your pics.
Jim

youngster · 03-14-2003, 11:06 AM

OK I think I am missing something. How do I post pictures on this site? I have gone to the photos section but am unsure of how to post photos. Can you point me in the right direction please?
Thanks
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

JimmyDee · 03-14-2003, 11:28 AM

Go to the photo section and re log in. Go to my photos (?) or something like that, and them you will see a line of buttons that look like this: My Gallery | Album Admin | My Favorites Home | Profile | Upload Photos | Logout
Click on the "Upload Photos" button and if you know the address on your computer, fill in the address and it is a done deal. Try it and if you have any problems I will or someone else will step you through it.
Jim

youngster · 03-14-2003, 11:32 AM

Thank you. Figured it out. I'll get some pics up soon