fuel tank question...

[87_crown_vic]

why is it that my 1987 CV has a 16 gallon capacity tank and my 1987 MGM has a 18 gallon tank? just curious as to why the difference.

[mrltd]

Wagon bodies are different..The tanks are different, and the pickups are different... All prolly has to do with space. I think I've put in more than 16 gallons in my wagon though....

[P72Ford]

I don't think he has a wagon though.

My '90 has a 18 gallon tank that is dented. I've never put in more than 15.8 gallons, even when the gauge is on E.

[mrltd]

Hmm completely missed that.. Dunno why.

[Tiggie]

How you know it's 16? I thought all later sedans had 18?

I put 14.5 in my wagon the other day and still had almost 1/4 tank.

[87_crown_vic]

my CV i have had the tank down and added a 1 gallon gas can to get to the gas station. it took total of 16 gallons. another time it was on empty and filled it and realized something was wrong because it went over 16 gallons and the seal for the sending unit was bad letting it leak out. my Grand Marquis i have topped off before from almost empty and it took 17.2 gallons. my owners manual for the Grand Marquis said it had a 18 gallon tank also. my other CV i have takes 16 gallons total also. trying to understand why some have larger tanks in them. figure they are basically same car and same year but different tanks.

[Tiggie]

Dunno mang. They varied the gas tanks a lot it seems. In 80 or 81 they changed fuel tank size mid-year, so some got 18's and some got 20's. My '82 has a 20 gallon and the gas gauge is inaccurate. It holds full forever, is about right at half a tank, and has at least 4 gallons still in it when the gauge is on E. I think they messed up the sending unit.

[gadget73]

i think its more the design of the filler neck than anything else. Thats actually the "larger fuel tank" on trucks. Shorter neck = more capacity. Might just be one is shaped a little bit differently.