Car Hates Gas

Yesterday, I noticed I had about an eighth of a tank left so I pulled into a gas station to fill her up. I only tried to put in $25.00 , and by the time $18.00 worth was pumped, the pump shut off, and gas came pouring out. I KNEW there was NO possible way my tank was anywhere near full, but I still looked down in there. It wasn't, so I attempted pumping again ( just for the same thing to happen almost immediately ) . Not good for the car, or for me. I ended up pulling away with just under a half - tank because she just wouldn't take anymore...This is the first time this has happened, I know the tank itself is fine, so i'm flat out STUMPED. It's a 1965 Coupe that I'm restoring, and it's my first classic, but i've filled it up before many times. Is there a certain technique to this? ( I feel so stupid :shrug: am I doing something wrong here or could it actually indeed be a prob. with the car?

Thank You for your help,
Chrystie
 
I always keep the pump pistol as far out as I can, because I've experinced that when I put it all the way in, it will stop. By keeping it as far out as possible, the fuel can drain away before it stops the pump. And fill slowly when it's nearing full.
 
I try to fill up the Mustang like I do my motorcycle - pull back the pump "sleeve" vapor control device and fill up slowly. I have the same problem if I just try to fill it up, even more so now that I have the Mach 1 style gas cap - I can't get the pump at the right angle. Filling up a 22-gal tank "slowly" can be tedious, though . . . :sleep:
 
Another thing it could be is a bad float on the fuel level sender. Mine did exactly that when I got it. When I pulled it for a new tank the float had fuel inside it. It was not floating on top of the gas, but slightly lower giving false readings. Most Mustang resto places sell just the float. Be sure to buy a new o-ring seal for the sender/pickup. Mine was sealing, but hard and cracked. I would not take a chance on a possibly 40+ year old rubber seal.
You still have to be careful of the angle and how far you put it in though.