I am absolutely confused about what I'm supposed to buy. Here is the sending unit out of the midship fuel tank (18 gal) on my 87 E350 with a carbureted 460. When I dropped the tank the lines were cut already and there was no fuel pump or filter to be seen so I have nothing to go off of except for my very limited knowledge and this little sending unit. From what I can tell (forgive the assumptions) there is no fuel pump on this sending unit which leads me to believe it originally came with an external fuel pump but the guy at autozone said that's not the case. But then I don't know why there would be a sending unit in the fuel tank without a pump if that were the case. So if someone can just give me a little guidance for a newbie. Also I'm a little confused on how to go about replacing fuel lines so any advice there would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'm sure if I am wrong , someone will certainly correct me .
To the best of my recollection,,,,,,,,,,, carburated engines used either a mechanical fuel pump operated by a lobe on the engine camshaft. or an electric fuel pump mounted some in the engine compartment or somewhere between the tank and engine
The fuel filter was usually mounted on the carburetor inlet or with an electric pump on the pressure side to the carb. .A manual switching valve was usually on the floor just below the driver's feet.. Before going any further , what is in your vehicle?

 

Yep, could be either or depending on Ford's flavor of the day. Being carburated if no mechanical pump mounted to the side of the block, you should have a low pressure pump in the tank. If it was fuel injected, they you would have a low pressure pump in the tank and a high pressure pump on the frame rail.

 

As an update, the previous owner had apparently converted it from a mechanical to an electric fuel pump.Still haven't gotten it started but I'm getting fuel to the engine now so that's good.

 

You may have to be concerned with old fuel gumming up passages in the carb, but if you have problems after getting it started you might need to run some Hi Test Or fuel system cleaner through the system. Best to wait and see what you have before jumping the gun.