Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: 88hotbird on February 17, 2013, 09:20:13 PM

Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: 88hotbird on February 17, 2013, 09:20:13 PM
I have a 88 tbird somebody rigged the positive wire up on the fuel pump inside the tank :toilet:  I have access to a mustang one for free have a mustang pump also with the sending unit work in the t bird tank?
Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: Beau on February 17, 2013, 10:36:08 PM
I think you are asking if the Mustang's fuel pump assembly will work in an '88 5.0 Bird?

No. You'll need to find a pump hanger assembly from an '88 3.8/5.0 car, or else an '87 5.0. This applies to Cougars too. Now, the pump itself will work, but not the rest of the hanger assembly. I have a Walbro 255 pound/hour pump from a Stang in mine.
Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: 88hotbird on February 18, 2013, 07:03:08 AM
yes that was what I was asking, any chance a 86 model one will work, I need one asap and found one for a 86 model one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-THUNDERBIRD-SENDING-UNIT-FUEL-PUMP-1985-1987-1988-COUGAR-85-86-87-88-/121040909654?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14135%26meid%3D5679870013289767111%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1085%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D121040909654%26#ht_665wt_1091
Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: 88hotbird on February 18, 2013, 06:47:02 PM
How did you do the strainer and all since they are different? How does your pump fit in the stock rubber holder or did you change that out? I'm also wondering if I can drill the rivets out and replace the wire ends and all? 175 dollars for a new one and I won't even use the pump.
Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: Beau on February 18, 2013, 07:36:02 PM
Find a hanger assembly from a salvage yard....you can order just the fuel pump itself, not the whole kit from most anywhere...oreilly, summit, jegs, napa, etc.
In fact, I done this to the '89 Stang vert, because I found that a hanger from an '84 wouldn't quite fit the opening of the '89 tank. I ended up having to drop that sucker 3 times, the second time, I had the power wire in a bind and it pulled off the connector.
When I was in there that time, I also put a high performance pump in, iirc it was a 190 pound/hour job I ordered through oerilly..

On the Tbird, I just crammed the Walbro in, used the Tbird's stock rubber grommet and it fits, works well. That was over 2 years ago.
Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: 88hotbird on February 18, 2013, 08:14:28 PM
Ok I have a stock mustang one but it's not the same diameter of the thunderbird one an I can't find a thunderbird anywhere around me in a junk yard poor things have been crushed, I need front and rear bumper covers so I've been looking for sometime now trying to find one. Thanks for all your help.

edit: I looked the part number up on the fuel pump assembly and it is the same for 86 and 88 so I went ahead and purchased the one on ebay offered him 25 for the whole thing and he accepted the offer so i bought it, sorry for seeming dumb but im new to these cars. I have had over 20 foxbody mustangs and a few sn-95s and now my new edge.  I have also had my fair share of camaros 73, 80, 93 and 98 m6 ls1 car but im the type who likes to change things I like to know alot about other cars i have not owned before so im trying to learn these things and feel I should seek you guys advice before throwing money at this or that. Again thanks guys for all the help I have gotten from you guys..
Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on February 18, 2013, 09:50:04 PM
AFAIK all T-Bird/Coug fuel pump hangers from '86-'88 are same and that includes Turbo Coupes... LSC Lincolns are also same, at least '86-'89 guessing '90-'92 are same as well... There are two pump insulators, due to different pumps used...
Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: daminc on February 18, 2013, 10:17:31 PM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;409645
AFAIK all T-Bird/Coug fuel pump hangers from '86-'88 are same and that includes Turbo Coupes... LSC Lincolns are also same, at least '86-'89 guessing '90-'92 are same as well... There are two pump insulators, due to different pumps used...

yes, the rubber insulator is thicker for the stang pump that I used in mine
Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: TOM Renzo on February 19, 2013, 06:05:10 AM
I go through this often. We use double pumps in tank on some setups and custom mounting is necessary. The Mustang tank assembly is different than a T BIRD. So each instillation is different. With some thought a couple of hose clamps a soldering iron and a universal sock anything can be possible. I use the 255 Mustang pump in just about every pump replacement we do. That is unless it is a stock car and the person is not in to performance. Basically i use a mustang pump on the MIDNIGHTER. It works great.
Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: 88hotbird on February 19, 2013, 12:39:36 PM
Ok thanks guys I have access to a walbro to 255 I may just get it and be done with it.
Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: Beau on February 19, 2013, 09:58:33 PM
Do that, and if your original fuel pump gasket (the little gasket or grommet that helps support the pump itself in the bottom of the hanger) is bad, go to oreilly or the equivalent and get one for your year Bird.
Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: 88hotbird on February 19, 2013, 10:01:55 PM
Ok will do thanks
Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: jcassity on February 19, 2013, 11:41:56 PM
You could go with a super charge 3.8L which is a higher volume at stock specs And they are available at the part stores
Title: mustang fuel pump sending unit work in tbird?
Post by: 88hotbird on February 20, 2013, 10:08:04 AM
Well I'm getting the 255 walbro for 60 has maybe 100 miles on it