Is any one using a shut off valve to isolate the fuel tank. If so what type of valve are you using? Thanks in advance! Walter
My T has a fuel rated ball valve up near the engine. Ball valves are nice because its only a 1/4 turn with the lever rather than having to unscrew a knob or something. Just make sure its fuel rated rather than a water valve as not all of those have plastic inside that can actually handle petroleum.
in my latest project i have one right in front of the fuel filter. it's UL approved for marine use http://andersonbr***.com/MARINE_FUEL.PHP
Would there be any way to attach a cable to one so it can be opened and closed from inside the vehicle?
the reason I asked was I installed a br*** fuel rated valve just off the tank to isolate during storage. Was great for about a 2 months and went out to the shop and gas was dripping from the valve. Just spent an hour draining the tank and removeing the valve. Thinking about deleting in completely. I never put one in a car before so maybe I am over engineering. Walter
Go over to fordbarn and ask what the guys are using to turn off their fuel tanks in place of the original valve. Unless the original parts are properly rebuilt the gas valve under the tank and the needle valve in the carburetor leak creating a bad smell if not a fire hazard. There is some sort of electric shut off valve that many people use since they don't want to spend the time to fix things properly. Charlie Stephens
I have used a dual tank valve from a O/T 78 chevy k-20 Pickup , its electric and you can wire it to a intertia switch for accident protection too . you power one side and it opens and leave the other side capped plus it has return line capability too . also some peterbilts use a fuel tank selector valve that is one line but they are $95
^ Good idea! RE the valve, many old Fords had them but the line size might not be large enough if you have a high performance engine or EFI with greater flow requirements. I suspect larger valves are available, hit the web. Gary
Just go to a marine supply store and pick up a shut off valve like this one. They don't leak and have male and female threads in various configurations so you just screw them in place. http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--shut-off-valves--P013854773 Don
I use these ball valves from Earl's. They are also available in 1/2" and several AN sizes. Earl's Performance 230501ERL - Earl's Performance Shut-Off Valves Shut-Off Valve, Br***, Chrome, 3/8 in. Female NPT Inlet, 3/8 in. Female NPT Outlet, 1 3/4 in. Overall Length
V8 Bob's suggestion is a good one. I use a race car ball valve like the Earls' shown, usually from Speedway, as they are intended to shut off all kinds of nasty fuel and are stainless with nylon seal. Some like Earls can have a cable attached for access from inside but it will require a heavy duty cable. Great also for shutting off the fuel in front of a cartridge fuel filter for replacement.
The fuel rated ball valve on mine has been in use for at least 10 years. Not a single drip. I guess they don't make them like they used too...or perhaps someone switched a water valve with a fuel valve to save a couple of bucks...and you ended up with the water valve! Don and V8Bob make some good suggestions...
I'd say they're only needed in a gravity flow situation which most cars don't have. I added one to my lawn tractor because one spring I found the entire fuel tank had emptied into the combustion chamber and the crankcase.
As part of my redoing of my T, I lowered the tank 3" so I'm in a slightly better situation...but the ball valve had been installed by the previous owner when a needle stuck in the Holley carb and the tank drained, filling the engine with fuel. Luckly it was noticed before the engine was cranked. The engine had to have the plugs pulled so the fuel could drain and the oil had to be changed. Trying to start it would have hydro-locked the engine and most likely ruined it. It's a good idea (and a small price for the insurance it provides) on any car that potentially could siphon fuel by gravity...even with a rear tank.
I used a Swagelok stainless steel , found a deal on ebay. They make the finest around. Used in nuclear everything. It will outlast me.
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