The Ford Barn

grouchyandugly · 07-12-2019, 10:41 AM

i bought my 1941 Merc in Apr 19. there was already a "new" gas tank (even still shiny) installed. however, when I fill it up to the "brim", I can only go 124 miles before "running out of gas".... I carry 2 gals with me.. got that in, and then put an additional 7 gals in it before it was coming out of the filler pipe/tube. owner's manual says 16 gal tank. something is wrong when I can fill it up with just 9 gals. HELP ! stay safe thanks

oldskool · 07-12-2019, 10:48 AM

remove the sending unit and see whats going on in there

oldskool · 07-12-2019, 11:02 AM

its also possible that the gas line inside of tank is not long enough to reach near the bottom

19Fordy · 07-12-2019, 11:06 AM

Disconnect the battery before you remove the fuel tank sending unit. Sounds like your pick up tube is not picking up as mentioned earlier.

grouchyandugly · 07-12-2019, 11:11 AM

okay. will definitely disconnect my battery (I am too old for EXCITEMENT any more). I was thinking that half of the pick up tube had fallen off.... at least on this gas tank there is a plug on the bottom.... just filled it up 2 days ago, so might syphon before removing that plug. stay safe. thanks

Anteek29 · 07-12-2019, 09:25 PM

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supereal · 07-13-2019, 01:02 PM

If you are relying on the gas gauge to tell you how much fuel you have left, and you have a replacement tank sender, it is necessary to bend the float arm to calibrate the reading. If that doesn't fix it, the float is probably hitting a baffle in the tank, and the flange of the sender must be rotated. We always install a ground wire to one of the screws on the sender and connect it to a known good grounding point. If you are using a plastic tank, this is vital.

07-12-2019, 10:41 AM	#1
grouchyandugly Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: N.E. FLA Posts: 57	1941 Merc gas tank problem i bought my 1941 Merc in Apr 19. there was already a "new" gas tank (even still shiny) installed. however, when I fill it up to the "brim", I can only go 124 miles before "running out of gas".... I carry 2 gals with me.. got that in, and then put an additional 7 gals in it before it was coming out of the filler pipe/tube. owner's manual says 16 gal tank. something is wrong when I can fill it up with just 9 gals. HELP ! stay safe thanks

07-12-2019, 10:48 AM	#2
oldskool Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: shirley ny Posts: 992	Re: 1941 Merc gas tank problem remove the sending unit and see whats going on in there

07-12-2019, 11:02 AM	#3
oldskool Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: shirley ny Posts: 992	Re: 1941 Merc gas tank problem its also possible that the gas line inside of tank is not long enough to reach near the bottom

07-12-2019, 11:06 AM	#4
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	Re: 1941 Merc gas tank problem Disconnect the battery before you remove the fuel tank sending unit. Sounds like your pick up tube is not picking up as mentioned earlier.

07-12-2019, 11:11 AM	#5
grouchyandugly Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: N.E. FLA Posts: 57	Re: 1941 Merc gas tank problem okay. will definitely disconnect my battery (I am too old for EXCITEMENT any more). I was thinking that half of the pick up tube had fallen off.... at least on this gas tank there is a plug on the bottom.... just filled it up 2 days ago, so might syphon before removing that plug. stay safe. thanks

07-12-2019, 09:25 PM	#6
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: 1941 Merc gas tank problem Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Please keep us informed! __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

07-13-2019, 01:02 PM	#7
supereal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Re: 1941 Merc gas tank problem If you are relying on the gas gauge to tell you how much fuel you have left, and you have a replacement tank sender, it is necessary to bend the float arm to calibrate the reading. If that doesn't fix it, the float is probably hitting a baffle in the tank, and the flange of the sender must be rotated. We always install a ground wire to one of the screws on the sender and connect it to a known good grounding point. If you are using a plastic tank, this is vital.