1967 Family Patrol Project

[moore_rb]

I think my next step will be to drain and pull the tank... 'cause that gas is never, ever touching that engine again!

John

Good idea

Glad to hear that Dave thinks the valves are safe !

[moore_rb]

I don't believe that bad gas bent pushrods and broke keepers.

That sounded really suspicious to me as well...

However- seeing how gummed up those intake ports are, and how crusty the piston crowns are after less than 20 miles on the engine... wow, who KNOWS what was going on inside there ?

I suppose if that same sticky gooey fuel residue was getting past the valve seat and up between the valve stem and the valve guide it could have stuck the valves in place just enough to put pressure back on the pushrod during the intake stroke...

if someone had shown me the picture of that piston without me knowing it was from a brand new engine, I would have thought it came from an engine with 100k on it

[faux40]

I don't believe that bad gas bent pushrods and broke keepers.

That sounded really suspicious to me as well...

However- seeing how gummed up those intake ports are, and how crusty the piston crowns are after less than 20 miles on the engine... wow, who KNOWS what was going on inside there ?

I suppose if that same sticky gooey fuel residue was getting past the valve seat and up between the valve stem and the valve guide it could have stuck the valves in place just enough to put pressure back on the pushrod during the intake stroke...

if someone had shown me the picture of that piston without me knowing it was from a brand new engine, I would have thought it came from an engine with 100k on it

A few days ago, I would have thought anyone justifying bent valves from bad gas was full of it - But, when it felt like the intake valve was coated with Henry's roof cement on a hot day, I converted. Dave had me try to push down on each valve the intakes, a couple intakes in particular would not move at all! It was like they were bolted in place. I am a believer -- Bad gas sucks!

Berryman's is my friend!

John

[faux40]

Told you that I was going to do it -- Turns out that it only had about three gallons left in it. The gauge read 1/2 tank... so there's some work to be done on that! Also, there are some pretty scary wiring mod's in back -- Probably should clean that up, don't you think?

The two wires dangling to the right by the tire? They go to the fuel gauge!


The tank may be in good shape -- it's painted brown which is the previous owner's favorite color -- So I know that he had it out at one time in the past 20-years. Also, the four bolts holding it in are stainless steel. Another trademark of previous owner. It may be good, but until a qualified shop says it is, it's not going back in!

The tank really comes out easily! A couple hose clamps, two wires, and four bolts and voila!


This is the tank from the green '66 parts Patrol next to the one out of the orange '67 -- They really are different. Are they both factory tanks?


The '78 manual says the US tanks are 19 gallons, the 1960-ish manual says 13-gallons. My calculations based on rough outside dimensions says 20 gallons. I think it must be the 19 gallon version... Yay -- I thought it was only 13-gallons!

Anyway, tomorrow I'll be shopping around to find a good gas tank rebuilder.

John

[Esteban]

John, I'm glad that everything looks under control now. Hope that all the valves are in good shape and also the valve guides.

A few days ago, I would have thought anyone justifying bent valves from bad gas was full of it - But, when it felt like the intake valve was coated with Henry's roof cement on a hot day, I converted. Dave had me try to push down on each valve the intakes, a couple intakes in particular would not move at all! It was like they were bolted in place. I am a believer -- Bad gas sucks!
John

They used to say that if you put sugar in the fuel tank, you'll damage the engine badly. I thought it was some sort of urban legend, and apparently it still is . After looking at what happened to you with probably a different product, I'm shocked, and a believer as well. Please post pictures of the fuel that came out of it. Just for a test, pour a little bit in a metal cup and light it up and see if after everything is burned, there's some residue left.

This is the tank from the green '66 parts Patrol next to the one out of the orange '67 -- They really are different. Are they both factory tanks?
John

Both are factory tanks. Maybe RiverPatrol can gives the year model when they changed the tanks. The following picture shows the two tanks side by side, from images from the parts manuals.

Fuel Tanks.jpg

[RiverPatrol]

The fuel tank size changed in '66, from 15 gallon to 19 gallon. Shortly after that the PTO hole in the rear bumper/cross member disappeared also. This is because the larger tank blocked the access to that hole for a PTO drive shaft. The tank style apparently also changed in '66. I have seen both styles of tanks in different '66s.

The gas tank skid plates are also different for the different style tanks. The straps are longer for the more squared tank, as I recall.

Aside from siphoning the tank, did you also pull the drain plug? That will allow gravity to help drain some of the possible solids out.

[faux40]

The fuel tank size changed in '66, from 15 gallon to 19 gallon. Shortly after that the PTO hole in the rear bumper/cross member disappeared also. This is because the larger tank blocked the access to that hole for a PTO drive shaft. The tank style apparently also changed in '66. I have seen both styles of tanks in different '66s.

The gas tank skid plates are also different for the different style tanks. The straps are longer for the more squared tank, as I recall.

Aside from siphoning the tank, did you also pull the drain plug? That will allow gravity to help drain some of the possible solids out.

Thanks for the tank scoop!

Actually, I couldn't get the siphon through the right angle bend at the tank -- So I siphoned at the fuel filter. I plan to pull the plug to get out the last 1/2 gallon or so.

John

[jwgreen]

They used to say that if you put sugar in the fuel tank, you'll damage the engine badly. I thought it was some sort of urban legend, and apparently it still is . After looking at what happened to you with probably a different product, I'm shocked, and a believer as well.

I can tell you from first hand experience that it's not urban legend. Sugar will mess an engine up quickly if your filter doesn't clog up first.

[RiverPatrol]

Ah, sugar in the gas tank - that has been there long enough to dissolve and become syrup - that could explain a lot.

[miksum56]

Except how it started ran and drove...