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Fuel gauge accuracy

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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 07:46 AM
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Default Fuel gauge accuracy

Just got my 78 vette. I read it has a 23.7 gallon tank.

But I am not use to the floppy gauge. How do I really know how much fuel I have? Just go by mileage or something? Any ways to convert the anything to make it more accurate?
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 09:42 AM
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You shouldnt have a floppy gauge something is wrong with the gauge or sender.
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 09:50 AM
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so it should be 100% accurate like newer cars? What do I replace to fix this then?

I thought it is because the gas bobs around in the tank and older cars couldnt quite tell how full it is.

I suppose it should be accurate if i am not moving and am on level surfaces.
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 07:42 AM
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can anyone else chime in on this?
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 10:00 AM
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It will move around some up hill, down hill, acceleation and breaking. But should not keep moving all the time. I'm not sure about the tank on a 78 I know some have bladders my 73 does not so it was realtivly easy. Best bet is to get an AIM from one of the vendors it will show all the parts and how they go togeather.
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 10:01 AM
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Is the needle steady when the car is sitting still ? Does it appear to be accurate when sitting still ?
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 11:45 AM
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I will have to look when i joy ride tonight. I think it still bounces around even if i am sitting still.

I will try to get my passenger to record a video of it to show you experts.
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 03:36 PM
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If the needle bounces, there is a poor connection between the sender and the gauge. It could be a wire about to break at the sender, a fatigue failure of the wire inside the insulation...anywhere on the way to the gauge, a loose connection on the backside of the gauge. It could even be a poor connection between the body of the temp sensor and the cylinder head. That is meant to be the ground connection for the fuel gauge system. If there is thread sealant or teflon tape on the sender threads, it could be limiting the ground connection and causing the intermittant bounce you are seeing.
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 03:56 PM
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Here's a thread that talks about the dampening built into the gauge. If your gauge is flicking very fast the dampening effect is gone.
I did a little testing using a gauge with good dampening,making and breaking the connection would not make the needle flick,it would only move slowly.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...e-bounces.html
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 06:50 PM
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thanks guys. here is a video i had my passenger record. I was going around 30 mph or so on flat-ish land.

I believe I have about just under 3/4 tank of gas.

watch the video and let me know if it is bouncing too much, its not the best quality but its the upper right gauge in case you didnt know.

thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLFP7ZTs8RI
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 07:42 PM
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Very interesting read about the dampning that's supposed to be in there.

That would be my vote. The gauge itself.
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