Not Model A: '80 Thunderbird problem

dean from bozeman

dean from bozeman

Well-known member
Years ago I had my mom's '80 T-Bird "restored". It was the only car that she ever drove. My dad did not let her get a driver's license until she was 55 years old.

I drove it a bit but since I had no on-site place for it, I put it in storage in town. When I did this I thought that I had run the gas out. You can see where I am going with this.

Recently, I finally finished my new shop and now would have a place for it. However, when I went to get it, I realized that I had left 3/4 of a tank of gas in it. Though it smelled like varnish I still drove it up onto the trailer. Now that it is home I need to get that gas out of it before I drive it any more.

The filler tube has a screen on it so I cannot siphon it out. A friend said to put ice under it, remove all bolts and when the ice is gone and it is lowered slide it out from under the car. However, this car has a metal guard that protects the front 1/3 of the tank so it cannot be easily lowered down.

Another friend says disconnect the coil and gas line. When you go to start it with the key, the gas tank pump will eventually remove most of the gas. It seems like this would take forever and possibly burn out the starter.

On the front of the tank there is a 2 to 3" cover with the gas line and a sensor wire for how full the tank is. I don't know how to remove this and then reseal it. However, since the tank is so full would removing this just spill gas all over?

I thought of even contacting the local Ford dealership but I think that they would balk at removing 3/4 of a tank of varnish gas even though I do have a friend who would take this varnished gas.

I'm asking for information on how to solve this problem or a T-Bird site/person who could act as a source of information. Help!

Thanks for allowing me to post a non-Model A problem and for any help that you can offer.

Dean

P.S. True confession: 95% of my work on automobiles is working on Model A's. Other than maintenance, I do not work on modern vehicles. I consider this '80 T-Bird to be a modern vehicle.
 
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Buy a cheap electric fuel pump and put it on the line going to the fuel pump and pump all the gas out into a container. Get a $15 one from ebay.
 
So I assume it has a mechanical pump? Do you have a lift or at least tall ramps to elevate the rear?

Can you get to the fuel lines going to the pump and start a siphon (dont use your mouth...) and let it drain into a bucket(s)

Then refill with fresh gas and run the car for awhile to burn out any leftover gas then change the fuel filter(s)
 
If this car has an electric fuel pump then the starter will not be burned out emptying the tank (at least in a Model A) If it has a mechanical pump, wouldn't just disconnecting the fuel line at the pump allow it to drain into a catch basin of some sort? Maybe jack the rear up a bit to encourage gravity flow.
Jack
 
Dean
good to see you in Hershey, two things you said you drove it into the trailer, that is a plus. the gas in the tank is not all that bad or the motor would not have started. look under the for a drain plug. if you get the tank drain down and put clean gas in it. you might get lucky. John
 
John, not lucky enough. No drain plug. Go figure.

Y-Blockhead, good idea. I did put it on Late V8 forum.

jhowes, will the pump run with the key in the on position? Would I need to disconnect the coil?

Dodge, are such pumps available at NAPA?

Seaslugs, I like your idea. As a kid we would steal gas by siphoning it. I have some experience.

Thanks to all.

This weekend, I will try one or more of your ideas.

Dean
 
get your self one of those squeeze ball siphon lines and take off the fuel hose going into the mech pump and conect your siphon hose set it into a can on the ground and wala dont forget change out the can or it will make a 10 gallon puddle.
 
after you get out most of it you will be left with 1/2 to 2 gallons. pour in some fresh gas to mix with that and get that out or drop the empty tank and do more work. i would flush it out with 20 dollars worth of fresh stuff.
 
desotoguy said:
If you are going to drive it you might a well do the job right. The tank needs to be removed, floor jack to lower tank, and flushed out. You also need to replace all rubber fuel lines with new ones for ethanol gas. Interesting information on ethanol gas can be found here: http://www.lcbamarketing.com/phase_...ting.com/phase_separation_in_ethanol_blen.htm
Big job
Click to expand...

I would hope by 1980 Ford also had ethanol safe rubber stuff - should say in the manual. My 1980 chevette manual says its Ok to use E10...Still on the original rubber fuel lines today along with the mechanical fuel pump and fuel tank.
 
Interesting let us know how you wind up.

I'd think a plastic plunger type siphon pump would get most of it out or else do like Tom said, that would flush the fuel line to the fuel pump anyway, providing it has a mechanical F.P at the engine or does it have an electric pump in the gas tank? I don't recall how a 1980 Ford was set up.
 
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