I have been trying to find a gasoline sight glass for my 15 touring. Some were made years ago (by Bruce McCalley and maybe others) but are no longer available.
Has anybody made a DIY sight glass? How? What materials? Location? Mounting?
Really not interested in sticks or mechanical gauges as I want something mounted in the cab (back of kick panel or firewall).
Thanks
Check ebay. This one is supposed to be for oil. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brass-Oil-Level-Gauge-Brass-Oil-Level-Indicator-Brass-Si ght-Glass-3-x-1-2-BSP-/251347356377?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item3a8 5784ad9
Had mine powder coated:
I searched high and low for a little ball float, but no joy. Can still see the level of gas.
I don't think I've run out once since installing it. Couldn't say that before.
The other is a tire gauge.
You can get the glass tubing from McMaster, and make your own, I suppose.
Bud, The large stainless steel restaurant coffee urns at one time had a visible glass site with protective rails very similar to the accessory gauge I posted above. You may be able to find one and adapt it for your car.
Protective rails or not that thing needs a shut off valve where you can get to it easily. Fuel leak + hot exhaust pipe = you know what.
There are a lot of styles available from McMaster-Carr. Some are pretty reasonably priced.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-liquid-level-indicators/=p6ulw7
Be_Zero_Be
Charlie, that's what flow restrictors at the source are for. I use 'em for all my gauges. I use a sheetmetal screw in a fitting, just tight enough to allow one or a few drops a minute to pass. That's enough for a gauge, but hardly enough to be a hazard two feet from the exhaust.
A few drops a minute may not be enough. You want it to flow at least as much as used by the engine. Otherwise, you could be driving down the road and run out of gas while the gauge still reads 5 gallons.
Gotcha', Ken; an inch in the tank is near a gallon. An inch in the 1/4" id tube is maybe 50 drops.
I use the same idea as Bauer-Glauber but mine is mounted on the fire wall next the speedo on my '12 Torpedo. I made it from a brass industrial sight glass gauge. I did have to install a stop valve at the bottom to prevent dangerous spills of gas when braking hard or if the tank is pressurized from the sun or elevation changes.
I have only run out of gas ONCE. On the Eureka Springs Hill Billy tour the wife asked me if I needed gas and, of course, I told her no. I was wanting to get the level low for our trip home in the trailer. You know the rest of the story...
You have to be very careful about a vent that sits over the hot exhaust pipe which could leak gas and easily start a fire!
Thanks for all the replies and ideas. I now have something in mind for a DIY gauge - if it works well, I will post ;o)