How quick can I switch from LH tank to RH as it runs dry on the run?

[ozkiwi]

If i run the LH tank until it is completely dry and I flip the switch to the RH tank
as the engine starts to miss from low fuel in the bowl will it get fuel again instantly.
Don't fancy being stuck on the side of the road cranking the starter to get it firing again.

[motornut]

Originally Posted by ozkiwi

If i run the LH tank until it is completely dry and I flip the switch to the RH tank
as the engine starts to miss from low fuel in the bowl will it get fuel again instantly.
Don't fancy being stuck on the side of the road cranking the starter to get it firing again.

unless your tanks are new/clean
everytime you run them dry,chances r your suckin dirt to the filter

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by ozkiwi

If i run the LH tank until it is completely dry and I flip the switch to the RH tank
as the engine starts to miss from low fuel in the bowl will it get fuel again instantly.
Don't fancy being stuck on the side of the road cranking the starter to get it firing again.

To answer your question,
If you are rolling on the highway you will feel the motor start to miss, switch tanks and it will refire and down the road you go.
No cranking of starter required.(leave it in drive)
I do this all the time with no problems.
If you are idling at a stop light and run out you may have to crank the starter some but it will fire right up.

BTW, that's what filters are for. To catch dirt

[74 stepside]

Very true, but why clog up the fuel filters when its not necessary. I wouldnt purposely run a tank bone dry, doesnt make any sence.

[ozkiwi]

Originally Posted by 74 stepside

Very true, but why clog up the fuel filters when its not necessary. I wouldnt purposely run a tank bone dry, doesnt make any sence.

LH side has a slow leak in it and I don't want to replace it straight away as it will take some time to get a tank sent out here to Australia.I just want to run the RH tank only for now but stop the fuel leak from LH.

[mgchevyparts]

The last time I had dual tanks with a solenoid was on a 79 Van, I use to do exactly as mentioned above, rolling down the highway engine starts to miss, hit the switch and all is well again.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by ozkiwi

If i run the LH tank until it is completely dry and I flip the switch to the RH tank
as the engine starts to miss from low fuel in the bowl will it get fuel again instantly.
Don't fancy being stuck on the side of the road cranking the starter to get it firing again.

Manual or automatic?

I would do this in my 80 stepside (manual trans): run 'er dry and flip the switch, it would catch within a second or two and keep on truckin.

K

[ozkiwi]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Manual or automatic?

I would do this in my 80 stepside (manual trans): run 'er dry and flip the switch, it would catch within a second or two and keep on truckin.

K

Auto

[bohmankid]

It'll switch as quick as your finger hits the tank switch. As long as your switch and valve are all working correctly.

[rusty76]

Mine always fired right up. Never had any problems.

[b454rat]

I used to do to it all the time when I was driving between DC and home (NY). Truck was an 84, when whatever tank was getting low, I'd push then hold the switch, the pump would prime the line, then release. Did that for months. Didn't even notice anything other than the gauge going from empty to full.....

[wraprail]

In all the years I have had dual tanks, and all the years my Dad had dual tanks we awalys ran one tank out, switched over and continued. Never ever have we had a problem with clogged fuel filters.
If you have so much dirt in your tank that it clogs your filter
Maybe you should change gas stations.
Or start using a gas cap.
Wouldn't that dirt get sucked into your filter even with a full tank?
Dirt would settle to the bottom of the tank.
Pickup is on the bottom of the tank.
I looked in my tank. No dirt.

[wilkin250r]

I haven't pulled a hundred fuel tanks, but I have pulled more than 5. The only dirt I ever saw in a gas tank was the dirt I dropped in there while pulling the cap off.

[Gates72ss]

seen sediment in maybe 2 out of 30 or so tanks in my life...
I always try to leave a gallon or 2 in the tank i'm switching from as a sort of back up, when it gets just above the E line i switch tanks....You never know if your going to need those couple gallons or not...

[motornut]

I guess it depends on where you live lol
growing up we were told never run tanks dry
if I'm going to replace a tank or sender chances are it's rusted through
my 79 i just pulled out for the summer,I just switched filters after running a tank almost out
gas is better now, but most people with summer I know trucks/cars do this

my "backup" for a single tank is bending the "sender arm" up about an inch or so
creates about 1/4 reserve below E
instead of above F
would work/help for duals if needed

helps here preventing a frozen gas line,maybe you park on a hill?
@-30 stuck in a snow storm,power outages...
that 1/4 or 1/2 tank is now 3/4

[LEEVON]

I guess the answer is that you can switch, but why? I wouldn't make a habit of it. My truck is TBI and I've done it while running but it will sometimes stall. That could be dangerous in traffic. What I prefer to do is switch while parked, ignition off.

[swb85]

If you're running an electric fuel pump, it's a bad idea. You don't want to run those pumps dry or they'll die quick. With a mechanical pump it isn't gonna hurt a thing.

[Pyrotechnic]

I don't see why it's so important to run the tank down to where the motor wants to die. Why not just switch over when the needle gets near empty?

The pickup tube is never going to be able to draw all of the gas out of the tank, and furthermore, you're just going to put more gas in the tank at a later time.

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by wilkin250r

I haven't pulled a hundred fuel tanks, but I have pulled more than 5. The only dirt I ever saw in a gas tank was the dirt I dropped in there while pulling the cap off.

Agree

Originally Posted by Gates72ss

seen sediment in maybe 2 out of 30 or so tanks in my life...
I always try to leave a gallon or 2 in the tank i'm switching from as a sort of back up, when it gets just above the E line i switch tanks....You never know if your going to need those couple gallons or not...

X2

Originally Posted by LEEVON

I guess the answer is that you can switch, but why? I wouldn't make a habit of it. My truck is TBI and I've done it while running but it will sometimes stall. That could be dangerous in traffic. What I prefer to do is switch while parked, ignition off.

Good point. On newer fuel injected and electric pumps its probeley not a good idea to run tank dry. Most intank pumps use the fuel to cool the pump.
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[wilkin250r]

I'm not sure about the original poster and his reason for asking, but I know the information is useful to me because I plan on dropping the driver-side tank very soon in order to replace a faulty sending unit. I would like to run as much gas out of it as possible.