Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
User avatar

Topic author
Squirrel
Posts: 140
Joined: Sat May 30, 2020 9:54 pm
First Name: Jim
Last Name: Forbes
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Coupe
Location: Sierra Vista AZ
Board Member Since: 2020

Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Squirrel » Mon Jul 13, 2020 2:48 pm

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.

.
gas gauge.jpg
.

User avatar

Susanne
Posts: 1045
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:06 pm
First Name: Susanne
Last Name: Rohner
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Late '15 touring, "Angel".
Location: Valfabbrica, (central) Italy
MTFCA Number: 464
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999
Contact:

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Susanne » Mon Jul 13, 2020 7:47 pm

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.

User avatar

Topic author
Squirrel
Posts: 140
Joined: Sat May 30, 2020 9:54 pm
First Name: Jim
Last Name: Forbes
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Coupe
Location: Sierra Vista AZ
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Squirrel » Mon Jul 13, 2020 8:57 pm

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.

User avatar

John.Zibell
Posts: 307
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:09 am
First Name: John
Last Name: Zibell
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Tudor
Location: Huntsville, AL
MTFCA Number: 30265
MTFCI Number: 24046

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by John.Zibell » Tue Jul 14, 2020 9:07 am

Lang's has them back in stock for all tank types. I asked for one with my last parts order and one arrived.
1926 Tudor

User avatar

Mark Gregush
Posts: 4956
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Gregush
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
Location: Portland Or
MTFCA Number: 52564
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Mark Gregush » Tue Jul 14, 2020 9:58 am

I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup

User avatar

Topic author
Squirrel
Posts: 140
Joined: Sat May 30, 2020 9:54 pm
First Name: Jim
Last Name: Forbes
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Coupe
Location: Sierra Vista AZ
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Squirrel » Tue Jul 14, 2020 10:09 am

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.


Mustang1964s
Posts: 254
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:48 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Bourgeois
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914, 1926
Location: Waco, TX
MTFCA Number: 29784
MTFCI Number: 22970
Board Member Since: 2007

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Mustang1964s » Tue Jul 14, 2020 10:17 pm

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.

User avatar

Topic author
Squirrel
Posts: 140
Joined: Sat May 30, 2020 9:54 pm
First Name: Jim
Last Name: Forbes
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Coupe
Location: Sierra Vista AZ
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Squirrel » Tue Jul 14, 2020 11:01 pm

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!

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Steve Jelf » Tue Jul 14, 2020 11:52 pm

IMG_5322 copy.JPG
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.

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.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


John kuehn
Posts: 3907
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Kuehn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
Location: Texas
MTFCA Number: 28924

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by John kuehn » 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.

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Steve Jelf » Wed Jul 15, 2020 10:33 am

I don't know, John. I assumed it was 26-27, but maybe both tanks measure the same.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

User avatar

Susanne
Posts: 1045
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:06 pm
First Name: Susanne
Last Name: Rohner
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Late '15 touring, "Angel".
Location: Valfabbrica, (central) Italy
MTFCA Number: 464
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999
Contact:

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Susanne » Wed Jul 15, 2020 11:09 am

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...

User avatar

Mark Nunn
Posts: 1105
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:01 am
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Nunn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
Location: Bennington, NE
MTFCA Number: 50321
Board Member Since: 2017

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Mark Nunn » Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:29 pm

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.


jab35
Posts: 892
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:28 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Bartsch
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '26 Coupe
Location: Dryden, NY 13053
MTFCA Number: 30615
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by jab35 » Wed Jul 15, 2020 11:25 pm

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.

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Steve Jelf » Wed Jul 15, 2020 11:42 pm

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.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


hah
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: john
Last Name: hardiman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 coupe
Location: stoughton, ma

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by hah » Wed Jul 15, 2020 11:56 pm

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


Les Schubert
Posts: 1311
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm
First Name: Les
Last Name: Schubert
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 roadster 13 touring
Location: Calgary

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Les Schubert » Thu Jul 16, 2020 6:00 pm

When I saw the title of the thread I was thinking this!!
Attachments
BB1FFE88-6BF5-4829-9E20-3FCF044401B8.jpeg
C66849BF-7F29-46CE-83E4-E74FDE7BE3F8.jpeg
98A7174B-96B6-493D-A0FF-B5E208116D79.jpeg
1F8A4140-439E-4947-8E38-BFD81FE48798.jpeg
6B56BF17-111A-4FA5-8D04-F71740880F8E.jpeg

User avatar

Susanne
Posts: 1045
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:06 pm
First Name: Susanne
Last Name: Rohner
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Late '15 touring, "Angel".
Location: Valfabbrica, (central) Italy
MTFCA Number: 464
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999
Contact:

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by Susanne » Thu Jul 16, 2020 6:08 pm

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...

User avatar

RajoRacer
Posts: 4308
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Tomaso
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
Location: Longbranch, WA
MTFCA Number: 14972
MTFCI Number: 15411
Board Member Since: 2001

Re: Making a gas gauge for a cowl tank

Post by RajoRacer » Thu Jul 16, 2020 7:37 pm

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 !

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic