Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-25-2019, 11:29 PM   #1
mleder
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 178
Default Gas Gauge Calibration

Today I found out my gauge was not really reading what I thought I had in the tank. A little under a 1/4 on the gauge and the tank was really the bottom of the tank and the dregs of many years of fill ups. So cleaned things up and now I set the plastic float the vendors sell that the new gas doesn't attack on the bottom of the tank so it reads zero with out fuel. I now should have some reserve I believe when it reads zero as the fuel would need to cover I think at least half of the float to get it to move. Anyone agree with that?. And what do most of you read on your gauge when the fuel level is filling half of the round window?. What reading do you think was there when the A's were new?. I have a 31 with the indented firewall which I was told holds 1 more gallon than the earlier tanks?.
mleder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2019, 11:58 PM   #2
mhsprecher
Senior Member
 
mhsprecher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Takoma Park, MD
Posts: 2,811
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

I believe the 30-31 tanks hold 1 gallon more than the 28-29.
mhsprecher is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 08-26-2019, 12:05 AM   #3
Apperloo
Member
 
Apperloo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Mission, BC
Posts: 58
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

Out of curiosity, as I have not filled my 30a tank, should it hold, and how far should it take me?
__________________
I love a girl and "Ruby" is her name, ChaCha
Apperloo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2019, 05:59 AM   #4
ryanheacox
Senior Member
 
ryanheacox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Northwest CT
Posts: 1,092
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

When the gas is sitting in the middle of the glass my gauge reads full, and that’s where I usually fill to. Not sure if that’s right or not.
ryanheacox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2019, 08:53 AM   #5
old31
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,088
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

A 31 holds 11 gallons.

Maybe someone has the specs on the gas tank stick. I made one up and it is very accurate, but per usual I can not find my file.

You will be able to bend the float wire to measure up with the tank stick.

I hope that someone can find the measurements for the stick for you.
old31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2019, 08:59 AM   #6
Davew
Senior Member
 
Davew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 113
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I copied this some time ago.
Back on to the calibrated gas gauge “stick”; it is made from a ¼” dowel rod and measures 11-5/8” from the tip to the end of the inexpensive-wood-drawer-knob. The measurements – if you are inclined to make one for your self – are 1 gal = 1-11/16”; 2 gal = 2-5/8”; 3 gal = 3-7/16”; 4 gal = 4-1/16”; 5 gal = 4-11/16”; 6 gal = 5-1/4”; 7 gal = 5-7/8”; 8 gal = 6-1/2”; 9 gal = 7-1/16”; 10 gal = 7-3/4”; and 11 gal = 8-5/8.” After filing a shallow grove at these levels and labeling every other grove using a wood burner, I shellacked the stick. It’s served as a backup for 34 years (yes, I do have an operable gas gauge) and I just toss it on the package tray behind the seat when not in use. Not exactly high-tech but then…
Davew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2019, 09:30 AM   #7
walkerlakeprinter
Senior Member
 
walkerlakeprinter's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Walker Lake, Nevada
Posts: 304
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

Good idea for the stick. Would the measurements from the bottom be the same for a 1929 10 gallon tank?
walkerlakeprinter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2019, 09:31 AM   #8
stevests
Senior Member
 
stevests's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Longbranch, Washington
Posts: 511
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

Unlike a Model T, wouldn't one be required to remove the factory supplied screen/spark arrestor to "dip stick" the tank ? I believe I'd rather calibrate my stock gauge.
stevests is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2019, 09:37 AM   #9
walkerlakeprinter
Senior Member
 
walkerlakeprinter's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Walker Lake, Nevada
Posts: 304
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

Good point. I don't have a cork float that might "gas-log" over time and sink to give a false reading. The brass float should be fine, once I adjust it.
walkerlakeprinter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2019, 10:20 AM   #10
abachman3
Senior Member
 
abachman3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Western Springs, IL
Posts: 323
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

To answer the second part of #3, most model A's get something like 18-20 miles per gallon. A little less if only in-town stop and go driving.
abachman3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2019, 10:51 AM   #11
TerryO
Senior Member
 
TerryO's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: N. GA
Posts: 531
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

Quote:
The brass float should be fine, once I adjust it.
I just replaced a brass float that sank to the bottom after several years of floating. They sometimes develop pin holes.


TerryO
TerryO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2019, 10:57 AM   #12
chap52
Senior Member
 
chap52's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Marana Arizona
Posts: 1,771
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

Here is a Video on adjusting the gauge...Worked for me... Chap


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucSV66JVyDc
chap52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2019, 04:35 PM   #13
Forddan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Westford, MA
Posts: 195
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

Quote:
Originally Posted by ryanheacox View Post
When the gas is sitting in the middle of the glass my gauge reads full, and that’s where I usually fill to. Not sure if that’s right or not.
My 1929 Tudor read ~ 1/2 when gas level covers half of the glass. I still have the original glass with a magnifier in the center. .

When I fill the tank to the top. I can read the F and the gas level line is filling almost all the glass.

Car was restored by someone else and that person did the calibration. I only replaced the gaskets and that's why I know about the glass.
Forddan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2019, 08:11 PM   #14
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,472
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

I figure that the gauge is most needed when the fuel is low so I set mine to read empty when the float is on the bottom of the tank. When that happens, I know I am low on juice and I'd better do something about it. If I push my luck, I can still get an idea of what's happening in there by swerving the car and watching to see if the guage moves. Any splash of fuel in there will cause it to move slightly. If I get no movement, I get ready for a walk!
When the tank is full, I can see the fuel in the glass so the guage is redundant. In my earlier cars (smaller tank) I allow 200 miles per fill with some in reserve. When we are outback and towing the camper (which weighs about the same as the car - about a tonne), I allow 200 km. ANY mechanical fuel guage is only an indication of how much fuel you have. After that, it's about knowing your car, IMO.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2019, 09:51 PM   #15
Mike V. Florida
Senior Member
 
Mike V. Florida's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 14,054
Send a message via AIM to Mike V. Florida
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

Put in a gallon, bend rod so it shows zero. (so you have a little reserve)
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II
Mike V. Florida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2019, 09:56 PM   #16
gary678*
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Middletown, NY
Posts: 162
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

30 and 31 gas tanks hold 11 gallons. I adjusted the float so that at empty I have approx. 1 1/2 gallons remaining. I also went to a specialty auto paint store and told the tech that I wanted to paint a 1/4" red stripe at the "empty" line on the floating gauge so that I could easily read empty while driving (I'm 75 years old) and know that I have a reserve. He mixed up a 1 oz. vial ($10) of gas resistant paint and said that after painting let it sit at room temperature and cure for 30 days before installing in the gas tank; I followed his advise. After 2 plus years the line is as clear as day. Although this will deduct points in a judging it gives me piece of mind while driving (I'm not into judging). A footnote: a Model A friend of mine borrowed my paint and painted his gauge but reinstalled it a few days later; the paint quickly dissolved.
gary678* is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2019, 06:01 AM   #17
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,472
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

Quote:
Originally Posted by gary678* View Post
30 and 31 gas tanks hold 11 gallons. I adjusted the float so that at empty I have approx. 1 1/2 gallons remaining. I also went to a specialty auto paint store and told the tech that I wanted to paint a 1/4" red stripe at the "empty" line on the floating gauge so that I could easily read empty while driving (I'm 75 years old) and know that I have a reserve. He mixed up a 1 oz. vial ($10) of gas resistant paint and said that after painting let it sit at room temperature and cure for 30 days before installing in the gas tank; I followed his advise. After 2 plus years the line is as clear as day. Although this will deduct points in a judging it gives me piece of mind while driving (I'm not into judging). A footnote: a Model A friend of mine borrowed my paint and painted his gauge but reinstalled it a few days later; the paint quickly dissolved.
If you were to have it judged, just have enough fuel in it so the empty mark is hidden!!
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2019, 10:10 PM   #18
Apperloo
Member
 
Apperloo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Mission, BC
Posts: 58
Default Re: Gas Gauge Calibration

Replaced my gas gauge today. Likely could have reused the original with some good cleanup, but I had the new one, so installed it. Interesting the difference in the arms.
I had an empty tank , so zeroed it at E. I need to know the real empty.
Noted the old unit looked like it had a old cork style gasket. New one is rubber.
__________________
I love a girl and "Ruby" is her name, ChaCha
Apperloo is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:21 AM.