1987 250 WA IO Fuel Question

[Newbie25]

Hey guys,

I have a 1987 250 WA IO (305 Mercruiser). I printed out the only ad on this boat and its for the outboard model. The outboard model claims it has a 120 gal fuel tank. I would assume that my boat would have the same tank. Does this sound right?

The reason I ask because, My gas gauge was reading empty so I filled it up to the top and it only took 63 gallons and the gauge read full. This is the 10th time I this happened. In the winter I took the floor up and the tank looks a lot bigger then a 60 gallon tank. Any thoughts?

(Original aluminum tank new gas gauge)

Mike

[wingtime]

maybe the sender is too small for the tank so it is giving you a false empty reading.  I'd run it down again and then pull the sender out of the tank and shove a wooden stick in there to see how much fuel is left in the tank.  You can also measure how deep the tank is and if the sender float is the right length for the tank.  While you have the sender out you can use a flashlight to see how clean the tank is too.  Did you replace the fuel gauge yourself?  Also the gauge could be the wrong resistance range.  I doubt that since they are kind of a standard range.

[seabob4]

Newbie,
Just for your info, there should be a manufacturers plate on the tank close to the sending unit that will have the capacity stamped on it...there SHOULD be...

[wingtime]

I guess I'm not awake yet  LOL  Start with the basics and go from there  LOL DUH!  on my part!  

Newbie,
Just for your info, there should be a manufacturers plate on the tank close to the sending unit that will have the capacity stamped on it...there SHOULD be...

[Newbie25]

When I had the floor out the thin metal plaque was hard to read since its 25 years old. I just saw the date and the part that said South Florida blah blah. As for the gauge I installed it myself which could be the problem. I think I may bring two gas cans on board and runt the boat below the empty level (I did this once before and she still ran great). Then I can see if when I fill it she takes more gas. I am trying to figure out my range. I took the boat out 86 miles (round trip) at 3700 RPM @ 25 knots on flat seas and only burned 60 gallons of gas. I also bought a Lowrance Fuel Flow gauge that got clogged the second week of use. Horrible design

[Capt. Bob]

When I had the floor out the thin metal plaque was hard to read since its 25 years old. I just saw the date and the part that said South Florida blah blah.  I also bought a Lowrance Fuel Flow gauge that got clogged the second week of use. Horrible design

Two words.
Flow Scan

[seabob4]

Is that 105 gals, CB?

[dburr]

Wing has it..  
 Once you burn some fuel off the slam full tank, pull the sender and make sure that is the correct one for your gauge and for the tank depth.  There are automotive and marine gauges and senders and the impedance was (is) different between the two types and the sender has to match the gauge.  If you have a multifunction display gauge in addition to a separate fuel gauge make sure that only one is connected.  If both are connected to the same sender the readings that you see will be goofy.   If you put the gauge in and have misplaced the paperwork, Google it and see what the impedance range is.. The sender should read between 33 and 200 ohms through its range of travel and should be able to almost touch the bottom of the tank.  There are a number of senders that are adjustable for a variety of tank depths and if you are sneaky you will set the length to slightly less than the depth so you will have always have get home gas when you hit E.  Good luck!

[Capt. Bob]

Is that 105 gals, CB?

Yep,
That's what it read. 92 catalog list it at 100 gals. so close enough for Govt. work.

That's the 91 WAC tank. My 84 CCP was made by them (as was its replacement in 96 when I was still down south) also.

RDS (Perry Fla.) made my new tank using the same dims. as the 105 only just over half the length. 55 gals. They even put my name on the tag.

[Newbie25]

Same company that made the tank in my boat. I would post a picture but this site makes posting pictures a full time job  

My tank is a lot longer then the one you posted.

[Capt. Bob]

Same company that made the tank in my boat. I would post a picture but this site makes posting pictures a full time job  <!-- s:thumright: --><!-- s:thumright: -->

Try starting here and read the whole thread. If you know how to download a photo to your computer, the Forum's Photo Gallery makes the rest, child's play.
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=12725.0

My tank is a lot longer then the one you posted.

I'll bet it is. <!-- s:roll: --><!-- s:roll: -->

A 105 gal in all its glory.


Good luck.

[seabob4]

Is that 105 gals, CB?

Yep,
That's what it read. 92 catalog list it at 100 gals. so close enough for Govt. work.

That's the 91 WAC tank. My 84 CCP was made by them (as was its replacement in 96 when I was still down south) also.

RDS (Perry Fla.) made my new tank using the same dims. as the 105 only just over half the length. 55 gals. They even put my name on the tag.

Had to be Ray Veal...

[Capt. Bob]

Had to be Ray Veal...

None other.

In my situation, it was a very good experience.
I would not hesitate going back to them. Ray said everything right and the tank fit like he had never built one before but saw a guy do it once.

Thing is, I'll probably be dead before I'll need another, still.....
For those members in N. Fla. (or anywhere really) great option on tank replacement.

I'm just sayin'

[seabob4]

RDS is the tank supplier for a LOT of OEM builders...there's a reason...

[Newbie25]

I attempted to upload the photos and it didn't work but my tank is larger then both tanks showed. When I get down to my boat I will have to measure the floor because the tank is literally the same size as it.