Volume of fueltank.

Approximately 21 US gallons (3.78 liters * 21 gallons = 79 liters)

Is there such a things as Imperial litres? (grin).

Chuck

Thanks.

Just had my first longer run in my car. Drove apr. 60 miles, and if the fuelgauge is half desent,I spent a lot less fuel than expected. With the degree of tuning of my car (engine is supposed to give 500hp), I managed on the freeway to do 1,2l per 10km (about 20mpg I think). Ran at 2500 in 5th, wich gave about 70mph. Not bad.

With my 72, the gage and warning light come on, but when I go to gas her up, she only takes about 13 gallons? Then the gage reads full? Do I have a problem with my gage or sending unit?

George

I don't mind re-fueling after 13 gallons, she attracts more attention that way! I had a guy and his wife follow me about 30 miles out of their way waiting for me to stop so they could get a closer look.

I didn't realise that our cars had a low fuel warning light - thanks for that! Do you know how many litres are left when it starts to glow? I have had the tank down as low as I dared, but it seems that I need to see how lucky I am feeling next time out... So far the maximum I've added so far is 67 L to mine.
Cheers, Tim.

The volume is indeed 21+ gallons but early tanks have a standpipe welded into them, that delivers fuel to a banjo fitting on the top. Some owners of '71-72 Panteras have had rust holes appear in the unrepairable internal standpipe, effectively limiting the gas they can draw out of the tank to wherever the pinhole(s) are. A late tank sender (most'73s and later) with an integral fuel feed cures this problem simply if not very cheaply. The low-fuel warning light is actuated by a contact in the sender so is not easily adjustable, but a bent float arm inside the tank will certainly give all-wrong info on fuel volume! Its also possible to install the sender 'clocked' wrong and if so, the float arm will run into tank baffles, again giving wrong info. By removing the left rear quarter window and the engine covers, the sender can be removed undamaged without removing engine or tank. The plastic float sometimes develops a leak and fuel inside causes gauge errors. Remove the old float and shake it: if you hear sloshing, replace the float; vendors have them in stock and they're cheap.

Sorry, Tim- forgot your question. The low-fuel light in the dash glows when the sender drops to around 2+ gallons or about 25 miles of distance in 5th gear (as I found). Dash bulbs burn out or the wire to the warning light may be damaged. Its also possible the wire simply slipped off the spade-lug connector atop the tank. With the quarter window out and engine cover off, its simple to connect a battery to the low fuel wire with a patch-cord and see if it lights.

Hi Bosswrench,
many thanks for the info. Was out in the car today and noticed the 'hole' in the fuel gauge where the light is, unbelievable that I haven't noticed it before! Was also thinking that I'll have to make sure it actually lights up before trying my luck on the 'how low can I go' game,
Cheers, Tim.

Here's what the tank looks like inside ...

Bosswrench
Can you tell me the proper "clocking" on the sending unit? I think mine may be in incorrectly.
Thanks

On our early, thoroughly modified sender, the plastic lug holders are positioned slightly off- longitudinal, with the frontmost holder pointing a little outboard of straight-ahead.
10 years ago, I modified the early sender to have a 3/8"ID fuel out-tube like the late senders have, thinkimng I was gonna mount EFI (which didn't happen). I recently added an in-tank electric fuel pump on the sender, so the top of our sender looks way-different than stock. But everything still fits and the float registers correct fuel level.
What often happens is, someone tries to withdraw the sender from the tank without first removing the tank or the left rear quarter window, and the long flexy float arm gets twisted during removal. Then on reinstallation the float hits the in-tank baffles and wrong gauge readings result.

Anyone have a picture that shows how it looks when put in correctly? I am having a hard time getting this right. Think it was in my tank wrong when I got the car and that is why it has always functioned wrong.
Thanks

Hi Shaun,

I don't have a pic, but the float arm should be pointing to the rear of the fuel tank (rear of car).

John

Thanks John. Will check mine this weekend.