Checking fuel level in tank

hale1776 said:
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...........
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Just don't forget to drain the fuel down low enough so that it doesn't come gushing out all over your lap.
 
Model T's had an open end wrench that came with the car that had markings on it for fuel level. I wonder if there was ever one made for 'A's'?
 
Gold Digger: ". . . I wonder if there was ever one made for 'A's'?"
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While not a "Open end wrench", there were a great many wooden measuring sticks made as promos to be given away by various automotive related businesses. Of the original gas measuring sticks I have from the 1930's, one is red and was issued by Texaco. Because the ubiquity of the Ford Model T, most all original sticks I have seen have the measurements of the '26-'27 Ford Model T on one side, and the '28-'29 Ford Model A on the other side. One of my original sticks has measurements for the '28-'29 Ford on one side, and the other side has measurements for the '27-'28 Chevrolet.
 
Here is what I use for fuel dipstick measures on 28-29 10 gal tanks. I am not sure where I found this but I think it is accurate. I have a stick that I marked on one side for the 11 gal tank which is what I have and on the other side I marked for the 10 gal tank.

I checked my stick that I measured by emptying the tank and adding one gal. at a time and measuring for my 11 gal tank. I found it to be very close to what H.L. Chauvin posted.

Here is for the 10 gal. tank:
1--= 1 1/2 inches
2--= 2 1/2
3--= 3 7/16
4--=4 3/16
5--=5 in
6--= 5 13/16
7--= 6 11/16
8--= 7 1/2
9--= 8 9/16
10--=10 1/16
 
Some of the vendors, I believe Snyders is one, GIVE AWAY wood gas tank dip sticks for the various Model A years. I have tried one in my 1931 tank and the 1931 indications seem pretty reliable.
 
From the "Old Ford Barn"

Posted by Freddie (Memphis) from c-75-66-67-96.hsd1.tn.comcast.net (75.66.67.96) on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 7:32PM :
Yesterday I promised I'd take some measurements and make a "Gas Stick" when I repaired my '29 Briggs Leatherback gas gauge. But, I lost the dowel I had marked when it rolled off the top of my car on the way home. Well..long story short, I found it this morning in the gutter behind the gas station. So, when I got home, I measured the marks using a metal yard stick. Here's what I measured.....

1/4 tank - 2 7/16", or 2/5 gallons
1/2 tank - 4 3/16", or 5 gallons
3/4 tank - 5 5/8", or 7.5 gallons
Full - 7 1/4", or 10.0 gallons

To arrive at the most accurate fuel level possible, I put 2.5 gallons of gas I had just drained out of the tank back into the tank after repairing the gas gauge with a neoprene float. I stuck the stick as straight down the exact center of the fuel filler neck as I could, having removed the gas tank screen. After I marked the 1/4 level on the stick, I added the remainder of the 5 gallon gas can I had filled when I drained the tank, and sticked the tank again. To arrive at the 3/4 and full marks, I filled the tank with exactly 2.5 gallons more two times at the service station - less than 2/10th of a mile from the house - sticking the tank between both fillings. I'm satisfied the stick is calibrated about as close as one can get it using general shop tools and practices. It is exact? Well, probably not, but it's close enough for government work.

Hope this helps someone... If anyone wants me to post a picture, I will...just let me know. Remember, this is on a '29 Briggs, which has a 10 gallon tank.
 
One (1) vintage way to make a fuel measuring wood stick for "any" vintage vehicle:

A. To avoid gasoline from climbing raw wood and providing inaccurate readings, with an empty fuel tank, incrementally measure heights in inches for each gallon of fuel added with a painted or varnish or tongue oiled non-marked wood measuring stick; or incrementally measure fuel heights with a metal ruler, metal tube, or some other non-porous stick or rod type material.

B. To avoid losing the measuring stick after it falls in a near empty future tank, obtain a wood stick at least approximately 3/4" wide x a minimum of approximately 3/8" deep, and cut said measuring stick such that at least 3-1/2" will be sticking out above the opening in the tank.

C. Because of rounded bottom tanks, provide a centered dull point on the bottom of the stick for more accurate center of tank readings.

D. Drill a hole in and near the top of this stick so the stick can be hung on a small nail on the wall .... it will always get lost in a drawer or cabinet, or on a shelf .... or when your wife thinks it is junk while cleaning and junks it.

E. Transfer measured horizontal marks on the unfinished wood stick and mark the measured stick with shallow horizontal grooves cut with a thin blade hacksaw; and,

F. Stencil in numbers immediately above horizontal marks using a small hammer & metal stencil .... or slightly indent and provide Roman Numerals above each horizontal mark with straight shallow chisel lines, such as I, II, III, IIII, V, VI, etc.

G. For easy future reading in dim light, or at night, color bottoms of horizontal cut lines and stenciled or marked numerical indentations made on the stick with a regular soft No. 2 lead pencil.

H. Provide two (2) coats of varnish, linseed oil, or tongue oil on the stick to protect lead markings and to avoid having a smelly fuel saturated wood stick in your garage or vehicle.

I. To avoid using the correct measurements during senior moments, identify multiple stick markings on front, back or sides of square sticks for different vehicles such as 1929, 1930, or maybe 1946 for vintage tractors etc.

Just one way to make a fuel stick ...... hope this helps.
 
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H. L. Chauvin said:
One (1) vintage way to make a fuel measuring wood stick for "any" vintage vehicle:

A. To avoid gasoline from climbing raw wood and providing inaccurate readings, with an empty fuel tank, incrementally measure heights in inches for each gallon of fuel added with a painted or varnish or tongue oiled non-marked wood measuring stick; or incrementally measure fuel heights with a metal ruler, metal tube, or some other non-porous stick or rod type material.

B. To avoid losing the measuring stick after it falls in a near empty future tank, obtain a wood stick at least approximately 3/4" wide x a minimum of approximately 3/8" deep, and cut said measuring stick such that at least 3-1/2" will be sticking out above the opening in the tank.

C. Because of rounded bottom tanks, provide a centered dull point on the bottom of the stick for more accurate center of tank readings.

D. Drill a hole in and near the top of this stick so the stick can be hung on a small nail on the wall .... it will always get lost in a drawer or cabinet, or on a shelf .... or when your wife thinks it is junk while cleaning and junks it.

E. Transfer measured horizontal marks on the unfinished wood stick and mark the measured stick with shallow horizontal grooves cut with a thin blade hacksaw; and,

F. Stencil in numbers immediately above horizontal marks using a small hammer & metal stencil .... or slightly indent and provide Roman Numerals above each horizontal mark with straight shallow chisel lines, such as I, II, III, IIII, V, VI, etc.

G. For easy future reading in dim light, or at night, color bottoms of horizontal cut lines and stenciled or marked numerical indentations made on the stick with a regular soft No. 2 lead pencil.

H. Provide two (2) coats of varnish, linseed oil, or tongue oil on the stick to protect lead markings and to avoid having a smelly fuel saturated wood stick in your garage or vehicle.

I. To avoid using the correct measurements during senior moments, identify multiple stick markings on front, back or sides of square sticks for different vehicles such as 1929, 1930, or maybe 1946 for vintage tractors etc.

Just one way to make a fuel stick ...... hope this helps.
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Obviously a very intelligent man has spoken. Instead of horizontal marks I drill holes in the middle of the stick. Wayne
 
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We'd just ROCK the CAR & listen for SLOSHING SOUNDS, "Well, sounds like enough to git to the FILLIN' STATION"----------
Bill Cheep
 
I'm sorry, but if my gas gauge needs repairing, I repair it. I have never used a stick. :eek: At some point in the cars life with me, the tank has been empty, so I know where the gauge sits when empty. I don't typically see how far I can keep driving when I see between the quarter and empty. :)
 
31Tudor said:
I'm sorry, but if my gas gauge needs repairing, I repair it. I have never used a stick. :eek: At some point in the cars life with me, the tank has been empty, so I know where the gauge sits when empty. I don't typically see how far I can keep driving when I see between the quarter and empty. :)
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Times 2 on the :eek:
 
Katy - You need to re-calibrate your gauge by bending the wire to reflect the true measurement.
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No re-calibration for me, I like it the way it is, when it says E I've still got another 20 or 30 miles to find a gas station or watering hole.:):)
 
31Tudor said:
I'm sorry, but if my gas gauge needs repairing, I repair it. I have never used a stick. :eek: At some point in the cars life with me, the tank has been empty, so I know where the gauge sits when empty. I don't typically see how far I can keep driving when I see between the quarter and empty. :)
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I agree.

I'm just having a tough time figuring out how the electrical signal gets from the float to the gauge.:D
 
Hi Tom,

I still see "young" guys and gals today with red plastic gas cans filling their cars on the sides of Interstate highways ...... even with modern dash board warning lights.

Model A drivers are different.

We really never ever forget to look at our gas gauges like these "young" guys.

We just brag how we always check our gas gauges ..... and then totally forget that we ran out of gas last week.

Please don't tell anybody ...... they may take our Model A's away.
 
While on tour, almost everyone packs along a gallon or two in a red can, just in case they can't quite make it to the next refuel spot. Rarely do they get used and if they do, it's usually within a mile or two of the station.
 
About 45 years ago while driving in a modern car and heading into Mexico from a Military Fort with a friend, I had forgotten to check my fuel gauge; however, luckily, almost on "E", and running on vapors in the middle of nowhere, I found an isolated one (1) pump gas station with an attendant who only used what may be called "sign" language.

He first made sign of not accepting credit cards ......... and as I kept pointing to my open gas tank cover, he kept pointing at four (4) $1.00 each large watermelons he had for sale.

Even after buying (2) watermelons, he would not pump gas ..... so I had to buy (4) watermelons with cash ...... and pay cash for a full tank of gas.

I looked at his wife and his (4) skinny kids to wave good bye .... but when I saw the ribs on his very weak looking skinny dog, I gave back the (4) watermelons .... he smiled.

Moral of the Story: Traveling in the middle of nowhere with cash sometimes helps.
 
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