fuel tank capacity

[Billy 1931 Model A]

Almost had a dangerous situation today. Took the A for a ride and the fuel was approaching less than ¼. Stopped and filled it with over 7 gallons. Oops, I could see the fuel liquid behind the fuel gauge window, and the fuel was leaking out of the little octagonal fitting surrounding the fuel gauge window, onto the floor mat. For the first time I saw the F in the window. I'm never filling her beyond 3/4 in the future.

[P.S.]

Time for some fuel gauge gaskets! I see the fuel behind the glass in my Model As all the time. Comforting to see it and know you have a full tank.

[Y-Blockhead]

It is not going to fix itself! Better to fix it now. Gas, or gas fumes is not a good thing inside your passenger area...

[Marshall V. Daut]

If the gaskets are installed correctly, you can fill the tank as high as you want. You must follow the correct sequence of parts replacement and use the thin brass slip ring AFTER the gauge has been inserted into the tank. That ring acts as a spacer and friction barrier when the two bezel nuts are tightened, especially the large outer one. The gauge is not as likely to spin as the bezel nut is tightened if at least one brass ring is between the gauge and the outer bezel. It's your call whether to use neoprene or cork gaskets. I used neoprene for years without any problems, but with the newer gasoline mixes containing ethanol and Lord knows what else, I'm reading that the neoprene gaskets are deteriorating, causing leakage. I've gone back to cork and have no leaking gauges in years.
By the way, buy the expensive brass bezel tools, not the cheapie pot metal or aluminum ones. Because the pot metal and aluminum tools are not precisely made and fit around the outer bezel loosely, slippage will occur when tightening. Also, the wimpy handle has a tendency to break if too much pressure is applied. You want to get both bezels as tight as you can without breaking anything. And wear heavy gloves when tightening the bezel nuts because if the outer bezel tool should slip off, you WILL cut your knuckles.
Marshall

[Gary WA]

First try to tighten with proper gauge tool!

[Doug Linden]

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You do have a problem, but it is fixable. The Model A gas gauge will not leak if you fill the tank. In your case the gaskets surrounding the glass in the gauge have deteriorated and need to be replaced. A gas gauge gasket kit is available from your favorite Model A parts vendor as are the special tools you need to remove the gas gauge. This is a job you can do by following the information in Les Andrew's Red Book. Good luck

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by Doug Linden

. This is a job you can do by following the information in Les Andrew's Red Book. Good luck

Ahem...

These days, video is how we learn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8djF9XHo8s

[ModelA29]

Okay - we got to gaskets. Original cork or modern rubber?

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by ModelA29

Okay - we got to gaskets. Original cork or modern rubber?

I'll probably get skewered for this...... I prefer the cork gaskets.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by P.S.

I'll probably get skewered for this...... I prefer the cork gaskets.

Agreed, cork gaskets.

[Randy in ca]

Here's a schematic/parts list might be useful:

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[German guy]

Before taking it apart and replacing all of the washers try using that crazy shaped tool to tighten the brass bezel. Mine started getting the gas showing in the window and all it took was tightening the bezel to stop it. A's have a lot more vibration than a modern car. Things tend to come loose.

[TomInCologne]

Taking he gas gauge apart, cleaning all and putting it back together (with a little bit of Hylomar blue) is no big deal, actually you can do it whilst sitting comfortably in the car.


Totally worth it...

[nkaminar]

I have mentioned this before. I once saw a Model A that had burned up because of a leaking fuel gauge window and an ignition switch that sparked. The gas station where it was parked at the time burned up too. This was a time, back in the 1960's, when there were still wooden gas stations. This was in a rural part of California.

In the 1980's I had a Model A with a plastic window in the gas gauge. It was formed so that there was a magnifying feature that made the gas level easier to read. This was when ethanol was starting to be added to gasoline. The ethanol dissolved the nice plastic window.

[Keith True]

I had some of those magnifying windows.Mine looked like a bubble.The alcohol never bothered mine though.I used gasahol in all my cars since Cumberland Farms started selling it here in 1980.When they started marketing it here as gasahol,I started using it because their station was on my side of the highway,and didn't have to cross a main road to get there.I never knew of any other brands that sold it back then.About five years ago the two I was still using suddenly turned yellow/brown.That 40-50 year old cheap plastic probably just broke down.

[Phil Brown]

Some of the old magnifying windows are glass. got a few stashed away somewhere from my dad. Had one it my pickup for awhile but you had to look straight on at it to work good Just looking down while driving you only saw 1/2 the magnifying section and it was hard to read. Took it out and put it away

[BlueSunoco]

Also, I believe I read once that Ford's idea behind filling the gas tank to 'F' and seeing the fuel sloshing around through the gauge window,that that was helping to keep the gauge clean. I've always had that in Model A's we've owned...

[Fullraceflathead]

Some people aren't aware that Henry ford actually invented the gas gauge!!!

[nkaminar]

I guess that is true. The one on the Model T was a stick that you put in the tank. I carried an extra jug of gasoline with me when I went on long trips in my Model T because I would inevitably run out of gas somewhere on some back road.

[AzBob]

Originally Posted by Fullraceflathead

Some people aren't aware that Henry ford actually invented the gas gauge!!!

For reference here is a picture of the gas gauge on my 1926 Buick. Worked on the same principle as Henry’s only it was in the rear of the car.