1954 Mercury fuel system questions

[Bob from Northport]

1. Does a 54' have a vented gas cap??
2. The manual says there is a vent line on the tank fill tube. Where is it??
3. Is there a easy process to bolting up a new fuel pump on a 256 Mercury engine??

 

[Merc Cruzer]

1. Does a 54' have a vented gas cap??....Yes , No Maybe, see lists of the gas caps used in parts manual picture.

2. The manual says there is a vent line on the tank fill tube. Where is it??...see pictures of gas tank vent system form parts manual.

3. Is there a easy process to bolting up a new fuel pump on a 256 Mercury engine??...are you talking about just replacing the fuel pump or addend an electric pump?...if you are talking about just replacing the mechanical fuel pump, it is held on the two bolts. Unhook the feed line from the tank and the supply line to the cab. Replace the pump and hook up the lines. Pump is shown on picture with the gas tank vent system.

 

[dmsfrr]

1. Does a 54' have a vented gas cap??
2. The manual says there is a vent line on the tank fill tube. Where is it??
...

1. Does a 54' have a vented gas cap??....Yes , No Maybe, see lists of the gas caps used in parts manual picture.

2. The manual says there is a vent line on the tank fill tube. Where is it??...see pictures of gas tank vent system form parts manual.

...

If I'm seeing that illustration clearly (?) the vent line goes into the filler neck below the gas cap and it's only to let air bubbles out of the tank and into the filler neck. It won't vent the tank to outside air, which can still create an internal vacuum situation inside the tank. Making it hard on the fuel pump or possibly collapsing part of the tank.

This example '57 Bird filler neck has a similar setup, and needs a vented gas cap.

 

[paul2748]

As far as installation, better to refer to the shop manual. The pump on a 54 is different than 55 and later YBlocks so installation may be different. If you don't have a Merc shop manual, I have a 54 Ford manual and can look up the installation procedure.


The pump was received by the rebuilder on 6/14. I haven't heard back from him yet.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Since 53' is basically the same body as the 54' here is a picture of the vent tube on the 53', which vents to he open air.

 

[Bob from Northport]

Paul2748-thanks for the update

Merc Cruzer.- You area fountain of information. I will look for the vent tomorrow. Didn't think about looking in the truck. Where does the line go up under the lip of the trunk??
I have the manual, but it just wasn't clear where it was. Thnaks a million!!

 

[Merc Cruzer]

The tube starts at the drivers side at the top of the tank, then runs under the trunk floor and over to the wheel well and then up into the inside of the fender, then over to the gas filler tube and then out above the gas cap into the air

 

[dmsfrr]

... over to the gas filler tube and then out above the gas cap into the air

I hope this is the case with Bob's '54.
Sometimes it's good to be wrong but it's always good to double check.

 

[Bob from Northport]

So the vent tube is attached to the tank at some location/point??

 

[GLAmes]

This is a gas tank from a Skyliner. The one for a Victoria is the same. More than likely the Merc has the same setup. As you can see the vent comes off the top and goes to the fill tube.
My gas cap is not vented.

 

[paul2748]

While this can be considered a vent tube, the tank is not vented to the outside which a vented cap does. This is similar to a 57 TBird vent which still requires a vented cap. All this does, I am told, is prevent the gas from splashing back when being filled. Therefore, the cap needs to be vented.


The vent system shown by Merc Cruzer is vented to the outside so a vented cap would not be necessary.

This is a gas tank from a Skyliner. The one for a Victoria is the same. More than likely the Merc has the same setup. As you can see the vent comes off the top and goes to the fill tube.
My gas cap is not vented.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Actually on my 53' Merc, the vent tube is on the drivers side close to the top of the tank. The tube then runs into the trunk of the car and exits out of the same opening as the tank filler tube and gas cap.

Since the 54' Body style is basically the same as the 53', I would guess the same is true. By looking in your trunk and the filler tube opening, you should be able to see if this is true.

 

[GLAmes]

While this can be considered a vent tube, the tank is not vented to the outside which a vented cap does. This is similar to a 57 TBird vent which still requires a vented cap. All this does, I am told, is prevent the gas from splashing back when being filled. Therefore, the cap needs to be vented.

The vent tube does not go into the filler tube. It is open to the atmosphere under a protective cover that is attached to the filler tube. You have been misinformed.

 

[Bob from Northport]

So is it a safe bet to install a vented cap???

 

[paul2748]

In my view, yes. Certainly can't hurt.

So is it a safe bet to install a vented cap???

 

[paul2748]

Ok - couldn't see that. Never had to take the tank down in my 54.



.

The vent tube does not go into the filler tube. It is open to the atmosphere under a protective cover that is attached to the filler tube. You have been misinformed.

 

[Bob from Northport]

Thanks!!