69 vette I'm restoring. Body off right now. I have a new gas tank and sending unit installed. In the am I'm finally ready to start the motor in the frame. Before I pour that first gallon of gas inside I had a question for you guys.
When I look into the gas cap hole at the pickup it looks to be about 2 inches off the bottom. The float level seems to be about 2 1/2 inches above the bottom. I guess my question is are they to high?
I'm wondering if the new unit was not bent correctly to reach lower in the tank. Kinda like when we have to bend new brake or fuel lines.

 

Just my opinion, (not worth $0.02), but I would not want the pickup to be flat on the tank bottom where it will pick up the trash. But I think closer than 2" would be more appropriate.
And the float, well I'd rather have it telling me it's empty before it really is.

 

Hi c,
On my 71 the supply tube ends about 2 inches above the bottom of the tank but the end of the 'sock' on the end of the tube touches the bottom of the tank.
The float arm has a 'stop' on it for both full and empty so there's no regulating it without bending the arm.
Regards,
Alan

 

GM probably designed it 2" high like that for the reasons stated above:
1. Trash and water would not easily be able to clog up the sock/filter.
2. A small gasoline "reserve" would be left to help the car "sputter" to a gas station or emergency pull-over, rather than the car toatally quiting without a warning (like checking the fuel gauge every so often...LOL)

Under aircraft fuel tanks, there is a small special manual valve for taking fuel samples and draining condensation out of the tank. I added an extension to my in-take fuel pick-up tube so that it is about 1/4" from the tank's lowest point ,

(It's a shame to have an extra 2 gallons in the tank without being able to use it when needed----When a motorcycle engine begins to sputter, there is a low "Manual reserve valve" that can be turned on when the main fuel supply runs low and causes the engine to have another 1.5 gallons of usable fuel = 60 extra miles)

I will add a manual Drain-valve in an "easy-to-reach-location".

Now it will be up to me to refuel at 1/4 tank and drain condensation at regular intervals (no big deal for an aviation mecha....errr....technician...LOL)

 

My original 68 gas tank had the sock right on the bottom of the tank. I bought it in July of 1972 and the next year, during the 1973 gas crunch, the tank sprung a leak on a Sunday trip and NO gas stations were open on Sundays! Talk about a fun ride home! I bought a new tank and found the 1/16" hole in the bottom from condensation rusting the tank. Lou.