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As long as we are on the subject of fuel measurement, I might as well
describe a dipstickless fuel measurement technique I implemented on my Willard
Horizon. This boat came without any fuel measurement instrumentation whatsoever. Not
even the E---F gauge used on the cheapest 6 gallon outboard motor tanks. What
it does have is two 60 gallon black iron fuel tanks arrayed on the sides of
the engine compartment. In the top of each tank is a 3/4" brass screw in plug,
accessible beneath a removable plastic inspection floor plate. The manual
suggests that the plug be removed and a dip stick used to measure the fuel.
I removed the brass plugs and drilled a 1/8" hole in the center of each. Then
I took a trip to the local bike store and bought two SS bike wheel spokes.
Get the longest they have. Mine are 16". Now find a couple of wine corks that
will fit through the 3/4" hole in the top of the tanks. Stick one spoke through
the center of each cork and move the cork all the way down to the unthreaded
bent end of the spoke. Now dip the cork and spoke end in epoxy, or paint the
cork and end of the spoke with epoxy, and let dry. You now have a long spoke
with a sealed cork float at the end.
Put the screw threaded end of the spoke through the hole in the brass plug.
The cork is at the lower end of the plug. The spoke must move freely through
the hole. Screw the retaining nipple to the threaded end and crimp to prevent
unscrewing. Either that or seal with epoxy. It is important that the nipple not
come loose. Now drop the corked end through the hole in the tank and replace
the brass nipples. The cork will float the spoke. The length of spoke
protruding above the brass plug determines the level of fuel remaining. When the tank
is full, the spoke will stick out almost its full length. When nearly empty,
very little of spoke will protrude. Instead of sticking a dipstick in the tank,
you can simply measure the length of the spoke. When the plastic inspection
plate is replaced, it simply pushes the spoke into the tank. It bobs up again
as soon as the plate is lifted.
This technique is as accurate as using a dipstick, far easier to use, and a
lot less messy. A quick glance will tell you approximately the amount of fuel
remaining. Total out of pocket cost is about a dollar for the two spokes. If
you have a scrap bike in the garage, the spokes are free.
Larry (clean hands) Z
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