Fuel Pump/Fuel Sender Questions

[truekoa]

Hi Guys,

My 84 has been having trouble starting when cold, noisy fuel sender, fuel gauge not reading problems - I believe it is fuel related, either the filter, pump or maybe the sender.

Couple days ago I replaced the filter as I had one laying around, this helped a little but not enough to my liking. I began researching on how to replace the fuel pump and when I went to take a look at my truck I saw mine doesn't have the mechanical fuel pump next to the block, is this cause mine is TBI? Is my fuel pump/fuel sender combined as 1 unit inside the tank?

Is there a write-up on replacing the fuel pump/sender? I might go ahead and try getting a new tank as well while I'm at it.

Any advice on this?

Thanks!

 

[CSFJ]

Yes, electronic fuel injection places the pump and sending unit inside the tank. There are a couple of ways to go about it. If you're just replacing the sender, I've found it's much easier to unbolt the bed, undo the tail light harness, and slide the bed back until the lines and pump are exposed. This allows you to work on it from above instead of below, and avoids having to deal with possible corrosion on the tank straps. You may also be able to swap the tank this way also, I don't recall any other bracing in the way. The other way, is to tackle it from below, undoing the tank straps, tank saddles, and lines from below. It's less to unhook, but in my part of the world, usually means lots of rust and dirt falling into your face. I try to avoid this method. Either way, don't forget to unhook the fuel filler tubes too, forgot to mention that before.

 

[Georgeb]

I agree that sliding the bed back would be preferred. So much easier to work with the hoses and wiring.

 

[truekoa]

is there a way to find out what gal tank size i have?

will a 16 and 20 tank interchange?

 

[CSFJ]

I want to say they will, but am not positive on it. The easiest way to tell one from the other is to get a measurement of the length. I think LMC or Rock Auto give the dimensions for each.

 

[hatzie]

If it's a long box then you can put a 20 on using the same straps.
Short box not so much. There isn't enough room for the 20 gallon tank on the 6' bed frame.

 

[truekoa]

Thanks for the tip on checking RockAuto for the info.

16 gallon tank is 42 inches long
20 gallon tank is 56 inches long

 

[CSFJ]

Thanks for the tip on checking RockAuto for the info.

16 gallon tank is 42 inches long
20 gallon tank is 56 inches long

I knew I had read it somewhere, and those were the only places I shopped prices for tanks.

 

[89Suburban]

Also check the site tankstopans.com.