Gallons, continued Thanks for the replies. However, there are two answers on the table. Any way to find out which of the two is correct? Jim
My wife's Maverick is a 72 250" and has a 15 gallon tank, mine is a 73 302" and has a 20 gallon. so I believe it depends on the engine that came in the car from the factory.
My factory 250 '73 4 door had the smaller 15 gallon tank. My factory 250 '74 Grabber also had the smaller tank. Both of my factory 250 '76 Mavericks have/had the larger tank.
The 71 thru 73 all had the same 15 gallon tank. All the 74's I seen also had the 15 gallon tank but I seen some say they had the larger tank. I've never seen it, but knowing Ford, it could have been a production change. If you look under the back of the car and the bottom of the tank is tapered up towards the rear rather than flat, it is the 15 gallon tank. Not if its stock.
Well, I can stuff 20 gallons in that 15 gallon tank plus a little if the car is sitting nose down a bit and it sure looks stock. It has just over 90000 original miles and nothing up there looks like it has been replaced. Including the side supports and bands. I will be pulling it out because I have to replace it after the accident. It will get another twenty gallon unit to replace it.
The tanks are designed to be filled to a certain level so that proper ventilation is maintained. I'm not saying you cant put more than the advertised amount. I have put more than 15 gallons in mine before too, although never came close to 20 gallons. You must have pushed the car to the pump and be filling up the filler neck too. You will not find a 20 gallon tank for these cars that is not custom made, or a fuel cell.
Just filled my 74 302 Comet up, still showed 1/4 on guage and put in 15 gals, must be close to 20 gal?
I looked at both the 1973 and 1974 manuals, and they both show a 15 gallon tank and do not mention anything else as an option. In all the parts cars I've had, I have only seen the bigger tank on 1975's and up. But as stated earlier, knowing Ford and their history of mid year changes - - there maybe some factory big tank 74's
Maybe the place ya'll are buying gas is selling you less than a gallon for the price of a gallon? Say .85 or.9 of a gallon for a gallon price? I've heard of stations shortchanging people like that, after they got caught. Just something to think about.
