>
> Jim, thanks for your explanation of the intended functioning of the dual gas
> tanks. Now I am wondering why mine don't work that way.
>
> I purchased my '77 Birchaven from a private party in Omaha and in July drove
> it back to Colorado, after diligently studying the Owner's manual. During
> the trip I ran the fuel gauge down to almost empty then switched to the AUX
> setting of the dash switch, expecting to find a reserve in the AUX tank.
> Much to my surprise the gauge did not budge from near-empty! Fortunately, I
> was able to re-fuel about 10 miles up the road. It took 42.3 gallons.
>
> Anybody know what happened to my reserve?
Listening to everyone who seems to be "in the know" relative to this
issue, We run on the "main" or rear tank until we dare not, which will
leave some gas in the main tank when we switch to the "auxillary" or
front tank which theoritically has ABOUT 1/4 of the 25 gals or just
over 6 gals left. You drove another 10 miles using about a gallon of
that, leaving about 5 gals in the aux. tank. If just less than 3 gals
was left in the main when You made the switch, and when You refueled
it was a true "top off" then all adds up to me.
The main thing I try to keep in mind is that I'm dealing with a 25 yr
old gas level gauge which probably operates off a variable resistor
which unless properly compensated is dependant upon an exact battery
voltage.
I also don't know how close to 25 gals. the tanks actually are.
Commonly, American autos of this vintage carry slightly more fuel than
stated and I dont know how much the filler pipe contains, again
dependant upon the top off procedure.
I also know that I've got over a 100 miles behind me when My gauge
begins to leave the full mark.
My bottom line is that I use the gauge as an APPROXIMATE indication.
If I had an engine oil level gauge, I don't think I would depend upon
it alone to protect my engine from self eradication due to a lack of
an adequate quantity of oil.
Just my thoughts, if I'm all wet, maybe some of the old timers will
pipe up.
Have Fun
Tim
the main tank
> Jim, thanks for your explanation of the intended functioning of the dual gas
> tanks. Now I am wondering why mine don't work that way.
>
> I purchased my '77 Birchaven from a private party in Omaha and in July drove
> it back to Colorado, after diligently studying the Owner's manual. During
> the trip I ran the fuel gauge down to almost empty then switched to the AUX
> setting of the dash switch, expecting to find a reserve in the AUX tank.
> Much to my surprise the gauge did not budge from near-empty! Fortunately, I
> was able to re-fuel about 10 miles up the road. It took 42.3 gallons.
>
> Anybody know what happened to my reserve?
Listening to everyone who seems to be "in the know" relative to this
issue, We run on the "main" or rear tank until we dare not, which will
leave some gas in the main tank when we switch to the "auxillary" or
front tank which theoritically has ABOUT 1/4 of the 25 gals or just
over 6 gals left. You drove another 10 miles using about a gallon of
that, leaving about 5 gals in the aux. tank. If just less than 3 gals
was left in the main when You made the switch, and when You refueled
it was a true "top off" then all adds up to me.
The main thing I try to keep in mind is that I'm dealing with a 25 yr
old gas level gauge which probably operates off a variable resistor
which unless properly compensated is dependant upon an exact battery
voltage.
I also don't know how close to 25 gals. the tanks actually are.
Commonly, American autos of this vintage carry slightly more fuel than
stated and I dont know how much the filler pipe contains, again
dependant upon the top off procedure.
I also know that I've got over a 100 miles behind me when My gauge
begins to leave the full mark.
My bottom line is that I use the gauge as an APPROXIMATE indication.
If I had an engine oil level gauge, I don't think I would depend upon
it alone to protect my engine from self eradication due to a lack of
an adequate quantity of oil.
Just my thoughts, if I'm all wet, maybe some of the old timers will
pipe up.
Have Fun
Tim
the main tank
