Fuel Tank Shut off

How much fun is it to have to reach under the hood to shut off the fuel? Well, here's my solution. Hope you enjoy it.

The design is for a fuel shut off valve extension for those Fords having the screw type shut off. It is designed to be mounted to the lower edge of the hood. If you can use it feel free. No more reaching under the hood to shut off the gas!

Materials:
10 inches 1/4 in. rod
2 inches of 7/16 in. rod
1- steel collar 1/4 in. I.D. X 1/2 in. O.D.
1- piece 1/32 in. steel 1/2 in. X 4 in.
2- #8 X 3/3 in. sheetmetal screws
1- 1/4 in. X 20 nut
1- 7/16 in I.D. X 1 in. rubber hose

How to:

The 1/4 inch rod was threaded on one end using a 1/4 X 20 die. The opposite end was bent 90 degrees to provide a handle.

The 7/16 inch rod was center drilled and tapped using a 1/4 X 20 tap. This will receive the steel rod. The opposite end was ground to a flat blade (screw tip) to fit the shut off valve screw slot. I also ground flat spots opposite of one another on the 7/16 rod for a wrench to grab to tighten the nut against it.

The collar was welded to the sheetmetal after it was formed around it. Holes were drilled in the tangs to mount the collar to the lower edge of the hood using the #8 screws.

Install:

To install, align the lever with the shut off valve screw. Mark and drill 1/8 in. holes for the collar screws. Install the collar. Slide lever through collar and install 1/4 in. nut followed by the screw tip. Tighten the nut against it. Slide 7/16 inch hose over screw tip leaving enough to slide over shut off valve screw, slide on and seat screw tip in the screw slot, push hose over screw. The hose will be snug and retain the lever on the screw.

The lever allows easy access and operation of the stock screw tipe shut off valve. The last photo shows the installation without the rubber hose. Hope you enjoy and can use.

Very nice!

I like the way you think!!!

Pretty slick set up.

Vito

neat... simple and effective...

Glen
Very nice, just finished rebuilding shut off valve on my 640, yours is painted nice, that is my next project , when it warms up

Nice project Glen, I think I will steal the idea. Looking for a long screwdriver every time I get back to the barn is a PITA.

Thanks,

Very nice. Red Rock Mfg may be calling you to buy the idea! I'm guessing if you wanted to spend an afternoon cranking those assemblies out you could sell them for $20 each easy. The first one probably took hours to get the way you wanted it. Now you could probably make one in 30 minutes.

Hi Jim;

Never thought about making and selling them, but you're right, it wouldn't take much time at all to crank a few out. I think I'll do another one for the fun of it and see how long it takes.

Thanks to all for the positive comments.

Looks good, makes it pretty darn easy!

Crank out two of 'em and I'll buy them both...plus shipping!

Nice job Glen!!! I'm trying to install a new shutoff I recieved in the mail today without taking the tank off again. If I could only find a couple 1/4" 24 thread hex bolts. Im having a hard time tightening the flat blade head bolts.

i think the short life of these valves comes from opening them all the way.I can plow and bale hay with two turns open so opening all the way just wears the O ring.MMO will destroy some O rings so dont add it to your gas.Hardware store should have the bolts.

I've tried Ace Hardware, Oreiley's, Carquest and Home Depot for 1/4" 24 thread bolts, and know one has them.

Try McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com). Not local, but they will have them.

I'd try McMaster too. I just bought some inserts from them. They were great, reasonably priced, helpful with questions and fast shipping.

I looked at their web site but couldn't find any. The smallest 24 thread I could find was 5/16". I sent them an email so hopefully I'll hear from them tomorrow. Thanks for the info. Am I the only one that looses the hard to find parts? haha

Clerks dont know where to look.The pull out boxes are full of odd stuff.Try TSC or Truvalue stores

I've tried Ace Hardware, Oreiley's, Carquest and Home Depot for 1/4" 24 thread bolts, and know one has them.

Click to expand...

I know it's blasphemous to put anything metric on an American antique but you may have more luck finding a 6mm x 1.0 - It should be the same other than the wrench used to tighten it up.

Also, Harley uses these odd size fasteners on their bike so you may want to check with them if you have a dealer nearby.

Who decided the 14mm spark plug holes?

My ford parts book says that screw is 12x24 3/4 inch long.#12 hardware is hard to find.#12 screw measures .216 1/4 screw measures .250.You need dial calipers, cost under 20 bucks.Import is fine.

Those screws are 12 x 24.216 diameter .1/4 inch screws measure .250.You need dial calipers, cost under 20 bucks, import are ok.

Those screws are 12x24.

You will need a clamp on the hose to keep it from vibrating off the tank screw.

That's a good thought. Right now the fit of the 7/16 hose is pretty snug on both the screw head and rod. The ridges of the the screw head help hold it too. But, you may be right, in time it may loosen. Thanks for the input. Something that may do the same thing, i.e. holding the screw tip in the screw, would be a locking collar behind the mounting bracket. This would lock the shaft in place and not allow the screw tip to back out of the screw slot. It would also be more accessible than a clamp on the hose. My tractor has a loader so anything I can do to provide easier access is my goal.