1955 Ford 800 Fuel Tank to Carb Problems

[EdGallop]

After getting wrong parts twice (threads didn’t match) I have finally have new shut-off valve and fuel line. The new threads didn’t fit the sediment bowl housing and it slowly stripped the threads in the sediment bowl housing. I know better than to use excessive pressure. It never felt tight. Now I need the sediment bowl assembly but nothing I see looks the same.

The tractor serial number (55430) shows a 1955 850 but that doesn’t match when ordering parts. It shows the 850 was in 1957. That may be why parts are not fitting. I don’t want to spend for another carb in that mine is good. Has anyone else had this experience?

 

[old]

After getting wrong parts twice (threads didn’t match) I have finally have new shut-off valve and fuel line. The new threads didn’t fit the sediment bowl housing and it slowly stripped the threads in the sediment bowl housing. I know better than to use excessive pressure. It never felt tight. Now I need the sediment bowl assembly but nothing I see looks the same.

The tractor serial number (55430) shows a 1955 850 but that doesn’t match when ordering parts. It shows the 850 was in 1957. That may be why parts are not fitting. I don’t want to spend for another carb in that mine is good. Has anyone else had this experience?

The 800 series was made from 1955 to 1957 and included the 840, 850, and 860 models. In 1958 the 801 series came out which included the 841, 851, 861, 871, and 881,

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

I sincerely doubt that Ford changed simple parts like the fuel sediment bowl from one year to the next. Your issues are because "original" parts are no longer available. "Will fit" parts are what are currently available. They may not look or fit quite the same, but are functionally equivalent. Sometimes additional parts will be required to make things work. Sometimes a part will need to be modified.

There is a clue in the listings for the fuel bowl and fuel lines, that there are two different sizes, 1/4" and 5/16". There are fuel lines and sediment bowls for both. I could see where you got the 1/4" fuel line, which would thread into the 5/16" but never tighten up.

 

[Dean]

I sincerely doubt that Ford changed simple parts like the fuel sediment bowl from one year to the next. Your issues are because "original" parts are no longer available. "Will fit" parts are what are currently available. They may not look or fit quite the same, but are functionally equivalent. Sometimes additional parts will be required to make things work. Sometimes a part will need to be modified.

There is a clue in the listings for the fuel bowl and fuel lines, that there are two different sizes, 1/4" and 5/16". There are fuel lines and sediment bowls for both. I could see where you got the 1/4" fuel line, which would thread into the 5/16" but never tighten up.

They did.

Ford increased the fuel line and sediment bowl size (IIRC) for the 58 model year when the 01 series was introduced with larger carburetor and exhaust.

 

[860dually]

Make sure the holes in the bolt matches the sediment bowl. Not all are compatible. Don't ask me how I know.