72 Mach 1 leaking gas

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neildomo - 12 Feb 2007 14:17 GMT

I bought a beat up 72 Mach 1 a couple weeks ago (my first project car)
and probably bit off more than I can chew. I filled it up with gas
yesterday, and this morning noticed it dripping gas from where the gas
line comes out of the gas tank. Looks like there's an elbow coming out
of the gas tank, and a hose connected to that. Not sure if the leak is
from where the elbow meets the tank, or where the gas link connects to
the elbow. Is there a way to quick-patch this, or should I even try? I
didn't get a chance to see under the whole car, but if I try to
replace that gas line, how long does that piece go (all the way to the
front, or is there a gas filter in the back)?

Thanks,
Neil

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Les Benn - 12 Feb 2007 14:30 GMT

replace the gas lines and the tank and fuel filter first.

obviously drain the tank into some safe containers and filter what you drain
out.

>I bought a beat up 72 Mach 1 a couple weeks ago (my first project car)
> and probably bit off more than I can chew. I filled it up with gas
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Thanks,
> Neil

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WindsorFox - 12 Feb 2007 14:49 GMT

> I bought a beat up 72 Mach 1 a couple weeks ago (my first project car)
> and probably bit off more than I can chew. I filled it up with gas
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Thanks,
> Neil

Silver solder and a torch. Well, maybe not. JB Weld, but if it's a
"project" you shouldn't be "patching it up quick" anyway. It will have
to be done at some point anyway and IF you determine it is the tube and
not the hose leaking, you should remove and drain the tank, dry it
thoroughly and solder/braise the fitting properly.

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Brent P - 12 Feb 2007 15:00 GMT

> Silver solder and a torch. Well, maybe not. JB Weld, but if it's a
> "project" you shouldn't be "patching it up quick" anyway. It will have
> to be done at some point anyway and IF you determine it is the tube and
> not the hose leaking, you should remove and drain the tank, dry it
> thoroughly and solder/braise the fitting properly.

If I remember correctly, in that area is also the sending unit for the
fuel gauge. That seal may also be leaking. The prime suspect however is
the hose.

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neildomo - 12 Feb 2007 15:35 GMT

On Feb 12, 9:00 am, tetraethylleadREMOVET...@yahoo.com (Brent P)
wrote:

> In article <e8%zh.28873$IL1.25...@newsfe13.lga>, WindsorFox wrote:
> > Silver solder and a torch. Well, maybe not. JB Weld, but if it's a
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> fuel gauge. That seal may also be leaking. The prime suspect however is
> the hose.

Thanks for the quick replies! I agree that it should be fixed
properly, but I was hoping I wouldn't have to let a tank full of gas
leak out (I guess I'm not prepared for siphoning). I have a laundry
soap container under it now with a small neck, so the smell is gone
and I feel a bit safer.

Next question: is this hose just generic hose? Can I just go to an
autoparts store and ask for a couple feet of gasline hose and just cut
it to fit? Or would it be a '72 Mustang part that I need to search
for?

Thanks again,
Neil

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Brent P - 12 Feb 2007 16:03 GMT

> Thanks for the quick replies! I agree that it should be fixed
> properly, but I was hoping I wouldn't have to let a tank full of gas
> leak out (I guess I'm not prepared for siphoning).

If you're quick, you can replace the hose without much leaking out..

> Next question: is this hose just generic hose? Can I just go to an
> autoparts store and ask for a couple feet of gasline hose and just cut
> it to fit? Or would it be a '72 Mustang part that I need to search
> for?

It's regular fuel hose for all fords of that vintage I think. Just
measure it to get the correct ID. probably 3/8th's ID... just measure the
steel tubing.

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vince garcia - 14 Feb 2007 12:03 GMT

> > I bought a beat up 72 Mach 1 a couple weeks ago (my first project car)
> > and probably bit off more than I can chew. I filled it up with gas
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Silver solder and a torch. Well, maybe not.

Don't joke about something like that. There are people stupid enough to
give that a try, and blow themselves up...

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WindsorFox - 14 Feb 2007 14:57 GMT

>>> I bought a beat up 72 Mach 1 a couple weeks ago (my first project car)
>>> and probably bit off more than I can chew. I filled it up with gas
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> Don't joke about something like that. There are people stupid enough to
> give that a try, and blow themselves up...

As long as there is someone with a camcorder and a Darwin Award trophy
in hand....

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neildomo - 19 Feb 2007 16:20 GMT

> >>> I bought a beat up 72 Mach 1 a couple weeks ago (my first project car)
> >>> and probably bit off more than I can chew. I filled it up with gas
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> can't be smarter than its animator."
> - Arny Krueger

Well, after trying some 5/16 hose (why did I let the guy sell me
that?) I got some 3/8" ID host and it actually went on pretty easy. I
used clamps with the screws and got them snug. I had a full tank of
gas, and nowhere to drain it, so I probably had a quart run down my
arm as I fought with the hose for a minute, but no leaks since then
(thanks to everyone!).

I did notice that the hose seems to run rather close to the exhaust,
maybe within an inch or so. Does this sound normal? I guess by the
time the exhaust gets all the way to the back it's not all that hot,
but it just struck me as odd to put a rubber hose right there.

Thanks,
Neil

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nospam - 13 Feb 2007 01:08 GMT

First, congrats on the 72! I am also restoring a 72 mach1 also.

Just drop the tank, it's very quick and easy. I've done it a couple of times
while I welded the new trunk floor in. Loosen the nuts on the long bolts
(that hold up the tank straps) near the rear bumper and the straps that hold
the tank up have "cross" or "+" shaped slots on the opposite end. Once you
drop the tank, you can access the vent and fuel lines coming from the top of
the tank. BTW, the sending unit is on the left (driver's) side, not the top.

This is my second project car, don't feel like you bit off more than you can
chew! It's very satisfying to complete each step, and then to take it out on
the first cruise when it's complete!!!!! :-)

Take your time and don't rush things or cut corners, you'll do fine.

Good Luck!
Dave

>I bought a beat up 72 Mach 1 a couple weeks ago (my first project car)
> and probably bit off more than I can chew. I filled it up with gas
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Thanks,
> Neil

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neildomo - 13 Feb 2007 16:20 GMT

> First, congrats on the 72! I am also restoring a 72 mach1 also.
>
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> > Thanks,
> > Neil

Well, I found out last night that the rubber hose has a split in it. I
bought the wrong size last night, so I just pinched the hose with a
clamp to stop the leaking. I'd like to drain the gas before doing
this, but I don't have anyplace to store an almost full tank of gas.
I'll get some 3/8" ID hose today, and hope I can swap it out very
quickly. :)

Thanks, Neil

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keng2 - 13 Feb 2007 18:36 GMT

I hope you're doing all this outside!
Ken

>> First, congrats on the 72! I am also restoring a 72 mach1 also.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 43 lines]
>
> Thanks, Neil

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