Fuel Tank Project

[Bduck]

The month of March kept me busy with all of the weather nearly on a daily schedule doing snow removal. I was hoping for a 3-4 day break to start on my next truck project, but no love from nature. Had it planned for last week, still no love. Again, planning got shoved off to the sidelines, no cooperation with exception of warmer temps this next week. As I put in a previous post, I was going to do a sump modification to my diesel fuel tank. The idea behind this is to eliminate the 2 in tank screens which requires drilling a large hole in the tanks lowest point to install a sump kit rerouting fuel into a pre-pump filter to catch any crud that could damage a very expensive pump which I have already replaced once since age was the factor. Instead of the fuel being pumped from the top as is the normal position, it would be more of a gravity feed thru the bottom. The sump would protrude below externally mounted on bottom of tank. All it would take is a foreign object from any type of road debris hit this sump causing to leak. Also, the fuel supply line is routed from bottom at sump. These 2 items stayed on the burner simmering in my mind which I decided to go into a different direction. Some trucks have a 4x4 off road pkg protecting the tank which the sump idea is a successful way to go, my truck doesn't have a 4x4 off road pkg, which I don't have a need for anyways. However, a more popular way in which is eliminating the sump idea is using existing system of the fuel tank float system utilizing the fuel intake tube but still eliminating the 2 in tank screens. This leaves the fuel being extracted from current top of tank port. The mod in the tank I will be making when I remove the 2 screens, I will have to extend the supply line 4" down to the bottom of the tank with a union compression fitting using existing fuel intake end that has a metal mesh type screen which is a stock item on the current system preventing possible large floating items into line. The 4" extension added is approx. size of the 2 screens being removed. 



This image of the float is same as what 
is installed in my tank. 




This is the existing stock intake screen. The 
2 screens I'll be removing are inline above intake,
I have purchased a new intake not taking any 
chances with possible aging issue of current screen



New filter setup ready to install. I made an 
aluminum mounting bracket for filter mount 
and predrilled a hole into frame between 
tank & pump. Filter is a 10micron which will 
be accessible for replacement. Have new 
fuel line with new quick disconnects to install
on existing points located at pump and tank
float assy  

Now, if the weather would just play right for a couple of days. I can have it done in one day but there is always a chance something could get derailed temporary.