Since my fuel gauge, sending unit, grounding points, etc started giving me issues, I finally created what I’ve been wanting for an ever long time…….a fuel tank dipstick.
Pretty simple thing being a piece of ½” flexible water tubing, about 36" long used in gardening drip systems, with a cap over one end. Measuring the height of the truck’s tank being 11 ¼” tall, I simply divided that by 4 and got about 2-3/4” for each increment for 2-3/4” (¼ tank), 5-1/2”(½ tank), 8-1/4” (¾ tank) & 11+”(full). Made these markings on the dipstick (capped end) using a fine tooth saw blade with just a tiny amount of pressure. Just enough to make the scratch marks.
Now I insert the tube with the capped end into the filler neck, working it way down til it bottoms out. I already have another scratch mark on the tube right where it meets the filler neck. Wiggle the tube in and out a couple times just to make sure I am the bottom.
When I feel good about it, I simply pull the tube out looking for where I start to see the wetness from the gas. Being on flat colored black, it’s very easy to see. The only hitch is that gas evaporates very quickly so you need to be ready for a quick view.
First pic is the tube with the end capped (the end that goes into the tank). 2nd pic shows the quarter tank increment markings.
Of course now that I created it, my gauge is working again…….go figure.
Craig
My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
