04-27-2012, 01:19 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Scott AFB, IL
Posts: 210
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Adjust gas gauge?
After reading the "how many in-cab tanks" thread, I realized that my gas gauge has to be off because I filled it up from near empty the other day and only put about 9 gallons in it. On the bright side, I'm getting better gas mileage than I thought. However, I don't like the fact that I don't have accurate readings, which could be problematic on trips. Is there a way to adjust the gauge somehow to make it read correctly?
When I fill up the tank, the needle goes to the far right hash mark in on the gauge, but when I turn off the ignition the needle goes so far left that I can't see it in the viewing window. I figured that the far right mark was full and I would fill it up when the needle goes between the middle and left mark, but I'm starting to think that I'm off. |
04-27-2012, 01:28 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: fayetteville nc
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Re: Adjust gas gauge?
The guage should go past the full mark when full and go completely off to the left when the ignition is off. There is no way to adjust the fuel guage. If its not reading correct, you will probably need a new sending unit, or have the guage rebulit. The original guages and sending units are 0-30ohm
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1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer Last edited by 1963c-10; 04-27-2012 at 01:33 PM. |
04-27-2012, 01:31 PM | #3 |
It's Better With Nitro
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chino Hills, CA
Posts: 2,262
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Re: Adjust gas gauge?
This might be a pain, but may help. For the 0-90 ohm sending unit conversions I do for people who install aftermarket 90 ohm gauges, I suggest making all of the connections to the sending unit while it is outside of the tank and run the float arm through its full range of movement slowly while watching the gauge to confirm working condition and help with calibration. You may find that you have something (debris) obstructing the float arm or the float might have a pin hole and is filled with fuel, which is hard to tell without pulling the sending unit.
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1963 C-10: Deluxe-optioned cab, shortbed, fleetside Pontiac 462 ci, Kauffman D-Port alum. heads 4L80E, narrowed sheetmetal Ford 9-inch Tubular front and rear suspension Custom 6-piston front disc and 4-piston rear disc brakes |
04-27-2012, 05:12 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Scott AFB, IL
Posts: 210
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Re: Adjust gas gauge?
It seems like the easiest troubleshooting would be to replace the sending unit. How difficult is this? It seems like it will be pretty simple to do but I've never done it.
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04-27-2012, 06:41 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: menifee california
Posts: 788
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Re: Adjust gas gauge?
do like me and alot of others on here and use a yard stick. lol.
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04-27-2012, 10:18 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Springtucky, Oregon
Posts: 265
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Re: Adjust gas gauge?
After thinking about it a bit you might be able to use a voltage regulator on the power wire to the gauge. The fuel gauge works kind of like an ammeter. If you cut the voltage down to maybe 5-6v you could get a more accurate reading. Using a variable regulator you could at least set it to let you know when its actually empty. I'll try to dig up a 0-90 ohm sending unit and test it out.
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