How to measure fuel tanks

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Luke700, Nov 12, 2021.

  1. Luke700

    Luke700 Light Load Member

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    I have a fuel gauge I install but I don’t trust it fully. I bought the truck with 2 150 tanks. Defiantly not original tanks for the truck from the looks of it 2006 century 14L. I have a 3 foot yard stick ruler. In inches what would be like a gallon or maybe even a quarter tank
     
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  2. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    With the yard stick Measure the diameter on the outside end of tank and divide that by 4. Then make those marks on the yard stick or a broom stick ( I use a fiberglass golf club handle that i cut the head off of and made marks on it). Each mark will represent a 1/4 tank. Dip into tank push to bottom and pull out to see were the wet mark ends. Check to see were the fuel gauge needle reads on gauge in dash and see how close it is. Pull sender from tank if need be and bend float rod to adjust.
     
  3. wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

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    Their really isn’t a inch equals so many gallons type rule. The middle will have more gallons to the inch. However you can measure how much fuel is in tanks. Then fill them remeasure. Divide gallons put in by the amount of inches put in. That will be your gallons per inch per say on what you have left.
     
  4. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Don't use a lighter to see how much is left,,:eek:
     
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  5. rch10007

    rch10007 Medium Load Member

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  6. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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  7. Tom Hank’s Volleyball

    Tom Hank’s Volleyball Light Load Member

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    Dump a milk jug in. Mark the stick
    Dump a milk jug in. Mark the stick
    Dump a milk jug in. Mark the stick
    You’ll get plenty of calcium if you buy new jugs
     
  8. Spyro2112

    Spyro2112 Medium Load Member

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  9. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    Just like @wore out posted on a round tank gallons per inch is hard to say because that last 1/4 will have much less fuel in it then the second 1/4 befween it and a 1/2 due to the shape of the tank. Rule of thumb on round tanks has always been once the gauge hits 1/4 it should be considered empty.
     
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  10. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    5BD7557C-00FF-4F5B-ABC3-C90E2FF35286.jpeg
    The calculator doesn’t take into account for this scenario. Round tanks with built in steps were fuel per inch will be more on the ends. So depth measurement with a stick is the only way to go to dial in a fuel sender.

    That is a 90 gallon size tank but with step it is 75 usable gallons.
     
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2021
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