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Broken gas gauge

Im not sure exactly what size my gas tank is but i think its between 12-14. My gas gauge was at 3/4 but i put 8.5 gallons in. So its a bit off. How can i fix this problem?
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke:
 

Broken gas gauge

Reply #1 –
Should be 18 gallons. A gallon or two will be in the bottom of the tank and may not get picked up by the pick up. The guage also reads slightly different then what you actually have in the tank. You will have another 2-4 gallons after the tank reads empty. So esentially you should have a 16 gallon tank with a 2 gallon reserve. It will drop quickly from the1/2 way mark, then hover around 1/4 for a bit.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Broken gas gauge

Reply #2 –
Drive it till it's empty.
The you'll fix that gas gauge..lol

Worked for me. Especially when I was still 17 and gas was like a $1.25/gallon and my old truck got 8 mpg, downhill, coasting, tailwind, etc

But yeh, you run out a time or two, you'll learn to fix it.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

Broken gas gauge

Reply #3 –
I think the 87-88 TC's had a 22 gal tank.  Might only be 18, though.  For certain it's NOT 12-14.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

Broken gas gauge

Reply #4 –
Oh alright, i just know about 6 months ago i ran it close to empty and it took 12 gallons to make the pump stop but then again, it could have just been my gauge playing tricks. i know my old 5.0 thunderbird had a 22 gallon tank and its bigger then my turbocoupe by quiet abit it looks like. Thank you all for the new knowledge though. I appreciate your inputs!
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke:

Broken gas gauge

Reply #5 –
Oops, chuck is right. After som searching, the 87-88 tc's had the larger 22 gallon tank. In 83-86 the were 18 gallons.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Broken gas gauge

Reply #6 –
Tap on the plastic, sometimes the gauge gets stuck against the plastic face if you go really low on gas.
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