How many gallons? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BraveDave · 05-23-2004, 02:06 AM

My gas gauge doesn't work and I have to keep up with the odometer to know when to stop for fuel. I lost track of the mileage last week and stopped at the Shell station. I was stunned to watch it consume 18 GALLONS!!!! First off, I must have been only a few yards from running out of gas, and second, I thought the tanks behind the seat was only supposed to hold 16 gallons? What's the capacity supposed to be?

Dave

Project1970 · 05-23-2004, 03:26 AM

Approximately 21 gallons, actually. Nobody knows for sure; I have once put in 21 and a very little bit of change beyond!

You had plenty of time left

toddtheodd · 05-23-2004, 08:56 AM

21? really? I can usually only get 14 gallons in mine, and that is when the guage is kissing the E

**Stocker** · 05-23-2004, 10:11 AM

I have put more than 20 gallons into mine... your gauge may be off a bit.

Longhorn Man · 05-23-2004, 12:17 PM

Some trucks had smaller tanks, every one I have ownerd held about 20.
I drove into the gas station once and fillied it with 21.75 gallons.

Baradium · 05-23-2004, 12:36 PM

The owner's manual lists two tanks (at least in 1970) IIRC. a 19 gallon and a 21 gallon. You should have one of the two. Don't know how you tell the difference, I think the bigger (c/20+) trucks were supposed to get the extra 2 gallons capacity. No idea why have two different tanks...

Longhorn Man · 05-23-2004, 12:41 PM

That's interesting, my 70 owners manual (which came in my first longhorn built in 4/70) on page 88, it says 10 - 30 series has a 20.0 gallon fuel tank standard...that same tank is 16.75 metric gallons though.

In my 69 GMC owners manual, it sway 1500 - 3500 back of seat tanks are Approximatly 22 US gallons.

crustysarge · 05-23-2004, 01:16 PM

Ever think fuel pumps at the stations might not be 100% accurate or calibrated???

Project1970 · 05-23-2004, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crustysarge

Ever think fuel pumps at the stations might not be 100% accurate or calibrated???

I'm sure they're not always dead-on. But you gotta love how even GM said "Approximately 22 Gallons".

Baradium · 05-23-2004, 01:34 PM

The fuel pumps at gas stations are required by law to be calibrated. That's what those stickers on the pumps are for, they get regular inspections to test accuracy. Some stations tried to reprogram the electronic ones to overcharge you on anything but 5 or 10 gallons (where the tests were usually conducted to) but many states got wise and started varying the testing size and those responsible faced tough criminal charges.

68w/sbc406 · 05-23-2004, 01:47 PM

in my 67 owners manual it says standard in c10-c30 models is 18.5 and optional is 20.5

Project1970 · 05-23-2004, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baradium

The fuel pumps at gas stations are required by law to be calibrated.

"Required by law" and "actually dead on every single day" are two different things.

Insurance is required by law in so many places...yet how many people get tagged by uninsured motorists?

Longhorn Man · 05-24-2004, 12:11 AM

Interesting thing though, even the factory listing from GM says they are all 21 gallon tanks.

Huck · 05-24-2004, 08:02 AM

All the tanks I have seen were 21 gallon. Butttt, depending on the truck, some empty a lot quicker then others@#$%^&*( hehehehe

Bill72BB · 05-24-2004, 11:13 AM

The 72 restoration guide shows the C 10 -20 gal
C 20 -21 gal

weasel29gm · 05-24-2004, 11:58 PM

Keep it full and carry a '' hillbilly credit card ''.......... a can and hose!!! LOL!!!!!

skokie · 05-25-2004, 01:19 AM

From my 68 manual.

Longhorn Man · 05-25-2004, 06:12 AM

Hmmm, 20 gallons.
I wonder if this is what they all are and ppl have been reading it incorrectly.

Bowed · 05-26-2004, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Project1970

"Required by law" and "actually dead on every single day" are two different things.

Insurance is required by law in so many places...yet how many people get tagged by uninsured motorists?

You are right and a good example is in our area where weights and measures admits they are undermaned to the point that any given pump is only checked probably once every 3 or 4 years , regardless of what the seals say .

Blue Beard · 05-26-2004, 11:39 AM

Call 1-800-222-1020

This is for the Restoration package, which has the specs.

Have your vin number ready when you call, it's a free package with quite a bit of information.

Just called to get one on my 77 Blazer and had it in less than a week.

05-23-2004, 02:06 AM	#1
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	How many gallons? My gas gauge doesn't work and I have to keep up with the odometer to know when to stop for fuel. I lost track of the mileage last week and stopped at the Shell station. I was stunned to watch it consume 18 GALLONS!!!! First off, I must have been only a few yards from running out of gas, and second, I thought the tanks behind the seat was only supposed to hold 16 gallons? What's the capacity supposed to be? Dave __________________ '72 Chevy Cheyenne Super, '56 Chevy Bel Air,'56 Chevy Nomad, '61 Chevy Impala, '64 Cadillac Fleetwood, 1966 Thunderbird Convertible

05-23-2004, 03:26 AM	#2
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	Approximately 21 gallons, actually. Nobody knows for sure; I have once put in 21 and a very little bit of change beyond! You had plenty of time left __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

05-23-2004, 10:11 AM	#4
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,573	I have put more than 20 gallons into mine... your gauge may be off a bit. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

05-23-2004, 01:47 PM	#11
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	in my 67 owners manual it says standard in c10-c30 models is 18.5 and optional is 20.5 __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

05-24-2004, 11:13 AM	#15
Bill72BB Thats the Hillbilly way Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Torrance,Ca Posts: 5,980	The 72 restoration guide shows the C 10 -20 gal C 20 -21 gal __________________ BILL Torrance Calif 90504 Member DUF Club Member Old Farts Club 72 3/4ton Custom Camper BB402/400 trans Dynomax Cerama-coat headers , Hei distributor ,Edelbrock 1411 air,ps,pb,leafsprings ,98 chevy 60/40 seat,S10 shoulder belts tilt,3.54 Dana 60 rear. 16" Eagle wheels with LT265/75 16 tires,Gaylord Lid,H4 headlights with 100W relay conversion. " If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself " Marriage changes passion...suddenly you're in bed with a relative. A GUY'S PRAYER.... Lord, I pray for a nympho with huge boobs who owns a liquor store and likes to fish and hunt and has a Harley .Amen ,

05-23-2004, 08:56 AM	#3
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	21? really? I can usually only get 14 gallons in mine, and that is when the guage is kissing the E

05-23-2004, 12:17 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Some trucks had smaller tanks, every one I have ownerd held about 20. I drove into the gas station once and fillied it with 21.75 gallons.

05-23-2004, 12:36 PM	#6
Baradium Binder Rep Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Salcha, AK Posts: 1,506	The owner's manual lists two tanks (at least in 1970) IIRC. a 19 gallon and a 21 gallon. You should have one of the two. Don't know how you tell the difference, I think the bigger (c/20+) trucks were supposed to get the extra 2 gallons capacity. No idea why have two different tanks...

05-23-2004, 12:41 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	That's interesting, my 70 owners manual (which came in my first longhorn built in 4/70) on page 88, it says 10 - 30 series has a 20.0 gallon fuel tank standard...that same tank is 16.75 metric gallons though. In my 69 GMC owners manual, it sway 1500 - 3500 back of seat tanks are Approximatly 22 US gallons.

05-23-2004, 01:16 PM	#8
crustysarge Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Aviano, Italy Posts: 221	Ever think fuel pumps at the stations might not be 100% accurate or calibrated???

05-23-2004, 01:34 PM	#10
Baradium Binder Rep Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Salcha, AK Posts: 1,506	The fuel pumps at gas stations are required by law to be calibrated. That's what those stickers on the pumps are for, they get regular inspections to test accuracy. Some stations tried to reprogram the electronic ones to overcharge you on anything but 5 or 10 gallons (where the tests were usually conducted to) but many states got wise and started varying the testing size and those responsible faced tough criminal charges.

05-24-2004, 12:11 AM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Interesting thing though, even the factory listing from GM says they are all 21 gallon tanks.

05-24-2004, 08:02 AM	#14
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	All the tanks I have seen were 21 gallon. Butttt, depending on the truck, some empty a lot quicker then others@#$%^&*( hehehehe

05-24-2004, 11:58 PM	#16
weasel29gm SLOW BUT SURE,BUT CLOSER Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: eleanor wv usa Posts: 3,091	Keep it full and carry a '' hillbilly credit card ''.......... a can and hose!!! LOL!!!!! __________________ 69 C-10, OWNED 35YRS... 350 over 30, 350 Turbo, 3:73 Posi P/S, P/B Black with red and black int. ''LOVE THESE OLD ''TRUCKS.......

05-25-2004, 01:19 AM	#17
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,325	From my 68 manual. Attached Images



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05-25-2004, 06:12 AM	#18
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Hmmm, 20 gallons. I wonder if this is what they all are and ppl have been reading it incorrectly.

05-26-2004, 11:39 AM	#20
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	Call 1-800-222-1020 This is for the Restoration package, which has the specs. Have your vin number ready when you call, it's a free package with quite a bit of information. Just called to get one on my 77 Blazer and had it in less than a week. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

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