Gas tank sening unit

[bigalturk1]

I need a gas tank sending unit for a 1978 El Camino (Never worked right), but to order it I have to know if it's a 17 or 22 gallon tank. The parts guy says to check the glove box decal.... but it's gone.....he also said the tanks look alike.
I drained the gas out of it last week and I suppose I could fill it at the gas station and see how many gallons it takes, but then I have to drain it again, which is a hassle.
So..... Anyone know another way to identify the capacity?

 

[boatshoes]

I put a new sending unit in mine when I had my tank out. The 2 tanks are exactly the same dimension, but the 22 tank was an option. I guess the 17 is more common. I filled up 4 5 gallon buckets of water and filled the tank with them. When it stopped halfway through the last bucket, I figured it was a 17

 

[bigalturk1]

I'm lazy...I'll just bring a 1 gallon gas can and drive til' I run out (I'm about empty now), add the gallon and head to the nearest gas station (Good thing I'm not in Texas...I'd be walking!)

I put a new sending unit in mine when I had my tank out. The 2 tanks are exactly the same dimension, but the 22 tank was an option. I guess the 17 is more common. I filled up 4 5 gallon buckets of water and filled the tank with them. When it stopped halfway through the last bucket, I figured it was a 17

 

[1983regal]

If you don't want to put just a stock replacement sending unit in there is a company that makes them with larger lines. They also sell them with an fittings attached. RobbMc Performance Products. Can get it with 1/2 inch lines or -8an or -10an fittings attached.
http://www.robbmcperformance.com/produc ... msend.html

 

[cat herder]

If you don't want to put just a stock replacement sending unit in there is a company that makes them with larger lines. They also sell them with an fittings attached. RobbMc Performance Products. Can get it with 1/2 inch lines or -8an or -10an fittings attached.
http://www.robbmcperformance.com/produc ... msend.html

Elky tanks are different from all other G-bodies, takes a different sending unit. I don't know of any aftermarket senders that will fit the weird Elky tank. 🙁

 

[1983regal]

If you don't want to put just a stock replacement sending unit in there is a company that makes them with larger lines. They also sell them with an fittings attached. RobbMc Performance Products. Can get it with 1/2 inch lines or -8an or -10an fittings attached.
http://www.robbmcperformance.com/produc ... msend.html

Elky tanks are different from all other G-bodies, takes a different sending unit. I don't know of any aftermarket senders that will fit the weird Elky tank. 🙁

I would call RobbMc ask, wouldn't hurt to find out if they offer one for it.

 

[cat herder]

Yeah, probably... I'm procrastinating, my old tank is out, got a new tank sitting in the shop, still debating with myself if I want to add a sump or 'copy' the plumbing setup on the Glenn's Performance tanks (he doesn't do Elky tanks, either).

 

[beermonkey9417]

i just ordered one from a malibu because the store didnt have the one for the elky and it was too short, so i did this:

good luck

 

[pontiacgp]

beer...what about the fuel level indicator, won't you have about 1/2 tank but it'll show empty?

 

[tereeves]

As far as the capacity, 17 or 22 gal, I remember that the ‘C’ series pick-up trucks of the same era as the later El Caminos had optional, larger capacity gas tanks. The only difference in the tanks was that the filler pipe on the smaller capacity tanks went down into the tank farther; not allowing the tank to fill as much because the longer filler neck created an air pocket at the top. Several have stated that the tanks have the same dimensions. This could be why. I have yet to remove the gas tank from mine to see if that is the case.