MTFCA Forum

Since I've been driving my 27 coupe around more, including a trip to Tombstone this morning, I decided I need to start checking the fuel level occasionally. I haven't had much luck with the paint stick method. I tried a few other things, and decided that it needs to have a nice porous but high contrast surface, and also have a way to prevent me dropping it in the tank, plus it needs to stay vertical, which helps always go to the same depth. I looked at pictures of a bunch of others, and this is what I ended up making. It's all brand new, but the idea was to make it like it could have been made it a long time ago.

Time will tell how well it works. I think there's enough reserve capacity built into my measurements, to keep me safe. I like to fill up most cars around 1/4 tank, anyways. Note the slot at the bottom end....multi purpose tool.

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The stick works because the gasoline discolors the wood at the level of the fuel while its wet with gas... I've done it with regular sticks off a forest floor.

If the stick is sealed, then it won't work, which may be your problem. People put clear lacquer on gas sticks to "preserve the markings" but it prevents the stick from working.

You can always get a yardstick at like Lowes or Home Despot and cut one from that - Just DON'T coat or paint it.

I tried a couple different bare wood paint sticks, as well as some other things. The best results I got were with rusty steel! so that's what I used. It's easy to see the gas level with it.

Thanks for the suggestions! I guess a real stick, would work best. But this one kept me busy for half an hour making it, so I can't complain.

Lang's has them back in stock for all tank types. I asked for one with my last parts order and one arrived.

here is another way;
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/177570.html
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/25 ... 1346263614

Thanks for all the suggestions. The cowl tank is a bit different than the under seat tanks, which led to my strange, long list of requirements...which my gauge meets, but none of the others do. The tank shape lets you put the gauge in at an angle, which you don't want to do, and also it's in an awkward place.

Squirrel wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 13, 2020 2:48 pm

I tried a few other things, and decided that it needs to have a nice porous but high contrast surface, and also have a way to prevent me dropping it in the tank, plus it needs to stay vertical, which helps always go to the same depth.

Like I said, time will tell how well mine works.

One of our senior club members ran out of gas.
He check the level. Looked at the discolor of the stick.
The stick had been used for so many years it was permanently discolored.
Another member brought over a new stick and sure enough the tank was empty.
Needless to say. He received the new stick as a present.
The old stick went on the wall.
The sticks are plentiful and are usually free.
But, if the club stops at a gas station, I top off. Even if I put in 50 cents.
I have run out of gas once too often.

That does sound like the best plan. I've run out of gas many times in my life, with a working gas gauge...but lately, never in a car that does not have a working gauge. I guess complacency can be a problem!

I use the traditional wood stick with Ford markings, but I gave it a coat of polyurethane and scuffed it with sandpaper so the wet part shows up.

Whatever you use for a gauge, I highly recommend these. They have saved me an unscheduled long walk more than once.

Steve —on your tank stick I’m assuming that the square tank reading would be for the 26-27 cowl tanks? The earlier square tanks in the early Coupes had a square tank. Just wondering.
I have a tank stick but it has oval and round tank markings only.

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 14, 2020 11:52 pm

IMG_0360 copy 2.JPG
Whatever you use for a gauge, I highly recommend these. They have saved me an unscheduled long walk more than once.

Boyco cans are worth their weight!

I'm wondering what I should put in the blue one - Water, 50/50, waterless coolant, or ?? I worry it may someday rust out and then I'll have to rely on my desert bags...

John kuehn wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 15, 2020 10:17 am

Steve —on your tank stick I’m assuming that the square tank reading would be for the 26-27 cowl tanks? The earlier square tanks in the early Coupes had a square tank. Just wondering.
I have a tank stick but it has oval and round tank markings only.

The square markings are not for the cowl tank. The gallon markings are too evenly spaced. The cowl tanks have graduated markings due to their odd shape.

John: refer to Ken's post in: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/25 ... 1346263614

By Ken Kopsky, Lytle TX on Friday, August 10, 2012 - 06:07 pm:
It really isn't Rocket Science. If you're so inclined to get up from your PC, you can make one.

I'm wondering what I should put in the blue one - Water, 50/50, waterless coolant, or ??

I'd say 50/50 for its anti-rust ingredients.

Looked at jab35 post referencing another post....the stick looks like the markings of a dox cup.

When I saw the title of the thread I was thinking this!!

Les Schubert wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 16, 2020 6:00 pm

When I saw the title of the thread I was thinking this!!

Me too... It's like the one on my space heater for my shop. And it works!

Orrrrrrrr.... one of those that have the spiral-ey insert that goes down into the tank... not sure how that would work on an improved car, but I'm sure where there's a will, there's a way!

Ya know, I wonder how well the old cork floats handle modern "gasoline"... would it be better to switch it to something like Nitrile, or maybe make one out of brass sheet...

Susanne - I have several original gas gauges in cars and I've replace the original cork floats with the Model A gas gauge modern material float - they work perfect BUT I only run "clear" gas in my T's !