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October 16, 2026, 02:55:20 PM

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[BigNorm]

As we all know to find a working fuel guage in a Cortina is a miracle which only comes around every eleventy billion years. 99% of the time it due to a faulty sender which have been obsolete forever.

This is my simple, inexpensive and 100% accurate solution to the problem.

I used a piece of raw pine 19mm square approx 850mm long. Pretty important here you use a raw piece and not varnished cos raw wood has a better absorbency and varnish washes off with fuel.



Then I measured 19mm from one end and marked the E for Empty line all the way around - you will actually run out at 15mm. I then measured 230mm from the same end and marked the FULL mark. I found these measurements to be accurate thru trial and error.

   

You are done. Take it to the car, remove fuel cap and dip it in. Let it sit for a few seconds so the wood can absorb a bit of fuel.

 

As you can see I have approx 1/4 tank of fuel left.  Perfectly accurate.



Henry should've given these instructions at the back of the workshop manual or at least sold them as an optional extra.

[davius]

love it man! lol I would attempt to make one but Im afraid it'll be too hard lol

[Cav]

Can ya drill a hole in the end, put a chain through it and pad lock it to the bumper?

I'm worried someone would pinch it if I leave the car parked on the street.

And what about a removable minny umbrella to keep the rain out.

I think a round stick would look better but hey, I don't want to be seen as being picky...

[BigNorm]

the first one i made in that pic is a dud anyways and doesnt work properly cos as you can see the guage reads upside down.

i'm also lead to believe that a broomstick could be substituted for the trusty, well seasoned piece of square timber i chose to demostrate with here.

[TF3webbers]

i must be dam lucky my fuel gauge in my car works spot on lol but at least now i know at to do when it fails life saver lmao