Fuel tank? i dont know!

[Max Mabazza]

Hi everyone. i recently bought a 1971 ford mustang w/ a 351cleveland engine. when i test drove it, it sounded sooo soo good. the engine was running strong and everything. i bought it and had it towed to my house the next day. when i tried starting it, it wouldnt work anymore! so i waited for a couple of days because i figured some gunk splashed around the fuel tank while it was being towed. and it worked! then, i took it to the gas station and pumped some leaded gas in and drove it home. on the way home, the engine suddenly died and i had to start it every 10 seconds before it died again... i think its my fuel tank. if that's the case, can anyone give me a hand with some instructions on how to take it out and clean it?

[mustangII460]

Go get it not run again, then check for spark/fuel.

It could be just the points or electronic ignition. Whatever the distributor may be.

Id rather change some points than the tank.

[Gearhead999]

Why do you feel it's the fuel tank?? Did the previous owner tell you it had tank problems??

As stated above find out if it's loosing gas or spark....then figure out what to do to repair it.

[Max Mabazza]

i think its the tank because when i let the car settle for a couple of days, it starts working again. then again i could be wrong. i don't know much about cars yet, (im only 16) but im planning on doing so. so how do i check if its losing spark?

[Elvis]

Does it have an in-line fuel filter? If so and if there is rust/sediment in the tank perhaps the fuel filter is plugging up. E.

[Max Mabazza]

where is the fuel filter located????

[mustangman65_79]

should be on the carb.

ther also may be on located somewhere else since it is an older car.

[Elvis]

Well, it varies with the year, model, modifications, etc. Some filters will screw into the carb where the fuel enters. Some will be in the fuel line just ahead of the carb. Follow the fuel line from the tank to the carb and if you have a filter you will see it. Some can be removed, cleaned out and replaced. Others are disposable. They are quite inexpensive so it is a good idea to replace them now and then. I had so much crap coming out of my fuel tank that I recently installed a new tank. It was only $150 so it was well worth the expense. These things will need to be done every now and then to 40 year old vehicles. E.

[Gearhead999]

To check for spark. You can hold a plug wire close to the a bare spot on the block and crank it to see if you have a spark. Should jumb 1/2 inch or so.

Or, just attach an extra spark plug to the wire and hold it against a good ground. See if it fires.

[lg's67coupe]

hey max, i used to have a 71 mustang in high school and had the same problem. how long did the car sat there before you bought it? mine was a while, my car would run like a champ then five minutes down the road it would stop running. found that there was so much rust in the tank it would completely clog the filter. the only thing that stoped the problem was dropping the tank cleaning it out.It wasnt that hard dropping the tank the good thing, if i remember correctly there is a drain.thats the hard part getting the fuel out. once you get the tank out drop some chain or bolts in shake it around pour some ospho(phosphoric acid)kill the rust. soap and water. if in a hurry to dry the tank pour some alcohol in it let it dry oh, the filter sock most likely WILL be torn i just bought a new sending unit.and was good to go, never nad trouble out of the tank again. not saying that it is your problem, hope the info helps

[lg's67coupe]

sorry max, rince the ospho out with water then wash it with soup and water. what ever you do dont use a vaccum to suck the left over rust. dont pressurize the tank
negitive or positive

[lg's67coupe]

and yes my filter was a srew in type on the carb,but if rust is your problem, change the filter and add an inline it helps if it is a glass one then you can see if you have a rust or sediment problem you might add the glass filter first before you drop the tank,
if it fills up with junk then you know thats your problem

[Max Mabazza]

Thanks for your help everyone. and thanks lg's67coupe. that info was really helpful!