1940 ford gas tank question

[19Fordy]

I would like to know how far down the pickup tube extends into the stock 1940 Ford car gas tank. The stock 40 tank is 14 gal.
Does it touch the bottom of the tank or is it positioned so it clears the bottom?

The reason I ask is because I am adapting the stock 1940 Ford gas tank sending unit so it can be used in the TANKS Inc. polyethylene 16 gal. tank.

Thanks, JIM

[Lawson Cox]

I do not think it would matter how far the pickup tube extends down into the tank or if it sits on the bottom or not as far as your project is concerned. You should be interested only with how much gas is in the tank and does your adaptation accurately reflect that.

Just My 2¢.

[40cpe]

Is the pick-up tube visible through the sender hole? I ask because I have an original '40 tank in the attic of my shop. I can go dig it out if it will help.

[TJ]

The pickup tube can be seen from the sender hole.

[Seth Swoboda]

From what I have seen, the pickup tube sits on the bottom of the tank.

[19Fordy]

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Thank you all very much for the responding to my question. During the past 6 months I have been measuring the depth of the gas remaining in my new tank and then draining the tank at each gauge marking to see if the gallons remaining correlate with the E, 1/4, 1/2 markings on the gauge AND if there is any reserve when the needle hits Empty. It's a time consuming and tedious process but, I think my ideas will work. Thanks.

[40cpe]

This is the best picture I could get. If you enlarge the image, the pickup tube enters on the right side of the pic and curves toward the bottom of the picture. The end of the tube lays on the bottom of the tank.

[19Fordy]

Thanks very much 40cpe for taking the time and making the effort to dig thru your attic and take that excellent picture. It really helps. I like your aluminum adapter.

[40cpe]

Glad to help a little.

[Ken/Alabama]

On the bottom. I’m in the process today of removing the tank from my 40 sedan. It has lots of very fine silt in it. Keeps plugging up the filter. Here’s a photo of the inside of my tank showing the pickup tube.

[Kube]

I've attached a photo of the bottom of a '40 tank. Note the "dimple" near the center? The pickup tube is just above that. Not quite on the bottom of the tank, this helps avoid picking up debris that truly is at the bottom of the tank.

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by Kube

I've attached a photo of the bottom of a '40 tank. Note the "dimple" near the center? The pickup tube is just above that. Not quite on the bottom of the tank, this helps avoid picking up debris that truly is at the bottom of the tank.

Yes! You are correct. That’s exactly where mine is. Just above that dimple. Just can’t get a good picture of it. I can see it with a bright flashlight.

[19Fordy]

Thanks "Kube" for the dimple/pick up tube location info. I didn't know that. So, it appears that the pick up tube lays on the bottom of the tank with its end located above the dimple near the center of the tank at its low spot.
Good idea.
Ken: I wonder how silt builds up in the bottom when the only thing you put in the tank is gasolene? Do you think gas additives react with the gas to cause this?