How many gallons on empty?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
From: Sydney NSW
How many gallons on empty?
Anybody worked out how many gallons are still in their C3's tank when the gas gauge is on "E"?
Yesterday I was on a long run between gas stations and well and truly hit "E". I thought I was going to be stranded on the side of the road at any minute, however, when I finally did get to a gas station I was surprised that it didn't take a 20 gallon fill.
Yesterday I was on a long run between gas stations and well and truly hit "E". I thought I was going to be stranded on the side of the road at any minute, however, when I finally did get to a gas station I was surprised that it didn't take a 20 gallon fill.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Fla. 6 months- New Middletown, Ohio 6 months
Last time it happened to me I removed the cap on my 71 and looked down into the tank and thought I still had about 3".
I know I will get at least one comment but it was a cold day!!!
I know I will get at least one comment but it was a cold day!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 8
From: Illinois
Just had that discussion today while driving my 71 home from Bloomington Gold in St Charles, Illinois. I was on about 1/8 tank and when I filled it up it took only 12.9 gallons===leaving 7 gallons left. I think the only way to really know is watch you mileage and use the odometer--run it as low as possible after E once to see for our car. Does anyone know is the gas tank outlet on the bottom on the tank or one inch off the bottom or what--that would help.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
From: Sydney NSW
I should have mentionerd that mine is a 454ci 1970. According to the owner's manual the standard tank is 20 gallons and there was an RPO coded NA-9 for a 17 gallon tank, although why anybody would request a smaller gas tank on an original 454 is beyond me.
So, I'm assuming that mine is the standard 20 gallon tank. After running on "E" for a good while, it took only 15.25 gallons to fill again, which means that I have around 5 gallons, or about 25% of the tank remaining when the needle is on "E".
On the other hand, if by chance the original owner specified a 17 gallon tank, then I have less than 2 gallons left on "E". (I don't have the build sheet. Well I do but it's totally unreadable.)
So, I'm assuming that mine is the standard 20 gallon tank. After running on "E" for a good while, it took only 15.25 gallons to fill again, which means that I have around 5 gallons, or about 25% of the tank remaining when the needle is on "E".
On the other hand, if by chance the original owner specified a 17 gallon tank, then I have less than 2 gallons left on "E". (I don't have the build sheet. Well I do but it's totally unreadable.)
Last edited by gtc131; Jun 30, 2008 at 12:30 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
I never let mine go past 1/4. I am curious if you drive until it runs out and have a gallon jug, drive to a gas station and fill up. will this method tell you the tanks real size as sold?
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
All I know is that by the time my car gets to 1/4, it's time to start hunting for a gas station fast. Right after I bought it, it was getting pretty low, so I looked in my gas tank to check since I didn't know if the gauge worked well. It appeared to have at least a couple inches of gas so I figured I was ok.... I went 6 miles and it was dry. Not a fun day.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
According to the Corvette Black Book, my 80 has a massive 23.7 gallon tank, just like the 78, 81 and 82. I've gone down to E on a couple of occassions, and my maximum fill has been 18-19gals, so I figure I have ATLEAST 4 gals, or 56 miles as a cushion. BTW, the 79 is listed as having an even larger 24 gal tank- only topped by the super rare 63-67's with the optional 36 gal tank.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
My '79 should have the 24 gallon tank, but my gauge also reads empty after about 60 litres down. This means I should have about 30 litres left when it reads empty, but I haven't tried it out yet because I fear my tank will contain sludges and/or other stuff that will clog up the fuel lines/filters/carb. How real is this threat and can one somehow verify how dirty the tank really is?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,013
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
my 72 has a usable 2.1 on E. after i bent the line near the bottom.
3 quarts remaining are not obtainable.
i usually don't put more than 1/4 in because it is a HUGE fire hazard if rear-ended.
3 quarts remaining are not obtainable.
i usually don't put more than 1/4 in because it is a HUGE fire hazard if rear-ended.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 2
From: MS
NA9 is California Emissions so those cars must have used the smaller 71-up tank due to the vent and charcoal cannister system, so not really an optional fuel tank. The 70 Federal Emissions I guess used the same 20 gallon tank as used in 68 and 69. I wonder though how the 70 Federal tank vents? Do you have a sealed or vented fuel tank cap?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
When I first got my '70 I would fill up often because I didn't trust the gauge. Then I took a flashlight and looked into the tank to see the "Seam" in the back of the tank - this meant about 1/2 full. When I get to about 1/4 I fill up with about 12 gallons - meaning I still have 8 gallons left in a 20 gal tank. It is non vented and when tank is only 1/4 full there is a lot of pressure when taking the cap off - hissing at me!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
From: Sydney NSW
NA9 is California Emissions so those cars must have used the smaller 71-up tank due to the vent and charcoal cannister system, so not really an optional fuel tank. The 70 Federal Emissions I guess used the same 20 gallon tank as used in 68 and 69. I wonder though how the 70 Federal tank vents? Do you have a sealed or vented fuel tank cap?
I do know that the original owner of my car lived in Arizona, so it shoudn't have been affected by Californian requirements in 1970.
However, I'm starting to think that I may have a 17 gallon tank.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: New Bedford MA
Take a 5 gallon tank fill it go out on the highway and see when it runs out unless you think you may have any sediment in there .In which case I would not run it below a quarter. I'm sure that beast sucks up 1 or 2 gallons pretty quick.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 2
From: MS
Do you have a charcoal cannister behind left front wheel?
NA9 would also have a heat shield between the intake and q-jet.