Checking fuel level in tank

[woodrow]

I use a measuring stick to check the gas level in our Model T. Has anyone done something like that for a Model A gas tank? I'd like to verify/check the accuracy of the fuel gauge in our '30 coupe. (I have removed the spark arrester so I can use a dipstick) I use a paint stick which shows how high the gas is but I don't know how many gallons are in there. If anyone has done that and has the measurements in inches and would share that I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[Patrick L.]

Yep, I use a ruler which has its own resting place in the car. Sometimes the fuel gauge works, sometimes not. I'm thinking its partly female since its so erratic.

[Kurt in NJ]

when lifted to the top it should read full---this leaves a little resesve when showing empty

my fuel gage didn't work for several years, i used the odometer, 5 gal every 100 miles-----sometimes I picked up a stick when I thought I was low, at 1-1/2 inch you better think about getting gas very soon

they used to make give away advertizing sticks, ot one tome we sold a batch that were marked "T" on one side, "A" on the other

[Al 29Tudor]

My fuel gauge became erratic and finally stopped working.
For a few bucks I got a new float and now it is steady and dependable.
If for some reason you need to use a stick, start with an empty tank and mark the stick at each additional galloon level.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Whether a Model A fuel gauge is male or female, it can have its ups and downs when least expected causing one to run out of gas ...... a stick always works well on any vintage vehicle.

Dimensions may vary slightly if car and tank not perfectly level; and/or measuring stick is slightly moved to one or both sides upon insertion in tank causing waves; however, for a 1930 (11) Gallon Tank, here is what I measured:

Gallons: Marks provided on wood stick in inches:

Empty ....... 0
1 ............. 1-9/16"
2 ............. 2-7/16"
3 ............. 3-3/16"
4 ............. 3-13/16"
5 ............. 4-5/16"
6 ............. 5-1/16"
7 ............. 5-1/2"
8 ............. 6-1/16"
9 ............. 6-3/4"
10 ............ 7-3/8"
11 ............ 8-1/4" - 8-3/8" (Be careful not to allow overflow)

Piece of blue masking tape neatly provided on rear side of stick helps to see exact level of fuel.

[woodrow]

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Thanks Chauvin, that's exactly what I needed. I appreciate the help.

[captndan]

There are thousands of genuine original gas sticks in an old barn. Just cut to fit.

[Patrick L.]

Isn't a ruler already marked ? I make a stop at about 3".

There is usually several ways to milk the cow, I like easy, I usually need easy. Most things just don't turn out easy. So, I'm ecstatic when it does.

[mlp623]

I don't have one, but someone said Snyder's has (or had) a "gas tank measuring stick" as a handout promotional item that they hand out at shows and maybe the store. Could be wrong, again, second hand.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Not to re-enact WWIII ...... but ..... did anyone notice whether or not:

1. The rotating fuel gauge stays lubricated; and/or,

2. The fuel level on a wood stick is slightly easier to read:

With MMO added to the gas ?????? ....... Maybe another benefit for using MMO in gas tank ?????

[smittykid]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

Whether a Model A fuel gauge is male or female, it can have its ups and downs when least expected causing one to run out of gas ...... a stick always works well on any vintage vehicle.

Dimensions may vary slightly if car and tank not perfectly level; and/or measuring stick is slightly moved to one or both sides upon insertion in tank causing waves; however, for a 1930 (11) Gallon Tank, here is what I measured:

Gallons: Marks provided on wood stick in inches:

Empty ....... 0
1 ............. 1-9/16"
2 ............. 2-7/16"
3 ............. 3-3/16"
4 ............. 3-13/16"
5 ............. 4-5/16"
6 ............. 5-1/16"
7 ............. 5-1/2"
8 ............. 6-1/16"
9 ............. 6-3/4"
10 ............ 7-3/8"
11 ............ 8-1/4" - 8-3/8" (Be careful not to allow overflow)

Piece of blue masking tape neatly provided on rear side of stick helps to see exact level of fuel.

How about the measurements for a 1929 ten gallon tank?

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

Not to re-enact WWIII ...... but ..... did anyone notice whether or not:

1. The rotating fuel gauge stays lubricated; and/or,

2. The fuel level on a wood stick is slightly easier to read:

With MMO added to the gas ?????? ....... Maybe another benefit for using MMO in gas tank ?????

Haha... That's one of the reasons I use Sea Foam. Sez right on the label, " ADD LUBRICITY TO FUEL".

I also use Chevron Gas with Techron which claims to "Help Restore Fuel Gauge Operation.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Never had a 1929; but, there should be a 1929 fuel stick mentioned in the archives under "Search".

Not a bad idea if someone would post a fairly accurate one for those searching in the future with the above "fuel related" subject title.

For example, sometimes someone is looking for a recommended ignition point setting and it is found under a post entitled: OOOOPS !

LOL

[Tom Wesenberg]

I was late for a date because I forgot to dip my stick. Thereafter I was known as dipstick.

[DougVieyra]

I have two measuring sticks; one for my '31 (11 gallon tank) and another for my '28 (10 gallon tank). I got my initial 11 gallon measurements from an earlier "Forum" thread as indicated by the earlier H. L. Chauvin post. However, on that 'thread' there were two (or maybe three) posts that gave conflicting measurements, so I did as reported below:

I could not at the time find a reliable scale for the 10 gallon tank, so I did what was suggested on one of the posts and drained my tank, added one gallon of gas, measured and marked a virgin paint stirring stick; added another gallon (now 2 gallon total) and again stuck the stick in, and making a '2 gallon' mark on the 'dip stick'. And so on until I reached the 10 gallon mark. This method is tedious, but assures accuracy and only need be done once in the lifetime of your ownership.

For my paint stick measurements, I both etched, notched, and marked each of the gallon increments. I then made about three duplicate sticks for future needs.

[katy]

When the gauge on our '31 reads E there is 2 gallons left in the tank.

[DougVieyra]

Katy - You need to re-calibrate your gauge by bending the wire to reflect the true measurement.

[H. L. Chauvin]

First time experimenting and trying, gas was climbing the dry raw wood stick like water climbing up a paper towel ...... however, after varnishing the stick, and trying again, the climbing resembling capillary action ceased .... above later measurements were done with a more accurate varnished stick.

Hope this helps if there were formally submitted gallon measurement discrepancies.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by katy

When the gauge on our '31 reads E there is 2 gallons left in the tank.

Obviously all other measurements are also in paccueate. Time to recalibrate! Wayne

[hale1776]

Gauge easy to remove get kit wrench fits the face of gauge it unscrews cork gaskets and glass seal it. Whole gauge with wire and cork will come out front. When you see it you wont believe how simple it is. Replace new cork on end of wire that got bent by some idiot jamming a stick or a gas nozzle into tank. Gauge will now be correct and stay that way rest of your life. When filling tank stand on running board and lean over nozzle never more than an inch or two in tank. Stop when you can see the gas, blurp few times to make it look like you know what your doing. Rotate gas nozzle slowly up and out so last drop goes into tank not on paint, pause for dramatic effect, then your done. Throw smelly stick away or better yet sell it on eBay. A stick jeez...........