O.T. What the heck is this?

JF in MI · Aug 2, 2016

They just don't make things to last. Had to change out the rear tank in my '90 E150 Club Wagon 'cause one of the seams started leaking. I was about to toss the old tank when I heard something rolling around inside. I pulled out this golf sized ball half filled with liquid (no leak in this thing)and I have no idea what it is or was for. I've owned this puppy since it came from the factory and the tank has never been off and this wouldn't fit through the unleaded restriction in the filler neck.

Mike M · Aug 2, 2016

Those are usually down by the tank in the filler neck. Either something to keep siphon hoses out or a roll over check valve or maybe both ?

Dune Country · Aug 2, 2016

It's your lucky day, very rare, they only put those in a few Fords!!!
could it be the float off of the sending unit?

JF in MI · Aug 2, 2016

Maybe I can sell it on Ebay! No, actually the gauge float is brass and is still in place.

markct · Aug 2, 2016

Check ball, anti siphon ordeal, probably got pushed into the tank in a siphon attempt

JF in MI · Aug 2, 2016

After the 'no-lead nozzle' restrictor there is nothing to prevent it from falling to the bottom of the tank. Nothing that I can see that it would "check" against. I also don't get the half filled with fluid thing. I've seen "gas logged" floats before and when removed to the air they always drip out. Not this thing. I'm bamboozled.

blue water massey · Aug 2, 2016

older ford tanks had them as a plug to keep dirt out till the assembly line
most of the workers removed them when installing tanks but a number of them got knocked into he tank before install or lazy worker would poke a few into tanks to keep us all guessing
either way it's a useless extra part you couldn't find a part number or replacement if your life depended on it
been stumped by one before friendly service guy at the Ford dealer told me what it was as I couldnt figure out were to put it when I swapped tanks on my old wagon
It's proper location now is a rash can
BTW it should be full of air not liquid so it's got a pin hole omeplace

IA Roy · Aug 2, 2016

I think it is a "Round Tuit" and you finally got to it! LOL

Bob Bancroft · Aug 2, 2016

I wonder if it doesn't have a hole, but having been immersed in gas for 25 years, the gas slowly seeped through any porosity.

Mike(NEOhio) · Aug 2, 2016

I'll agree, a plug that gets pushed in on assembly. I changed transmission fluid once and found a red plastic ball with a stem on it in the pan. Couldn't figure what it was so I called a dealer. He laughed and said "Throw it away and move on." It was to plug the dipstick tube for shipping.

O.T. What the heck is this?

JF in MI

Well-known Member

Mike M

Well-known Member

Dune Country

Well-known Member

JF in MI

Well-known Member

markct

Well-known Member

JF in MI

Well-known Member

blue water massey

Well-known Member

IA Roy

Well-known Member

Bob Bancroft

Well-known Member

Mike(NEOhio)

Well-known Member

Similar threads