A disappointing discovery
A disappointing discovery
After I bought my stro I read the owners manual from cover to cover. It said that my van had a 37 gallon gas tank. I thought - cool! if I ever drive to Sacramento I should be able to make it on one tank of gas!. I usually fill up at about half a tank...but this time I did not have enough time so I let the gas gauge run...then all of a sudden, my stro wouldn't go! Fortunately I was only 50 ft from a gas station - the attendant let me borrow a gas tank and I got her goin again. It seems that my tank is only 25 gallons! Is it likely that someone did the switch when the original bit the dust....or is it possible that there is something wrong with the way the last fuel pump was installed, i.e. feeder hose not in the right place? What are the dimensions of a 37 gallon gas tank?
New owner of a 1996 Astro named "Plain Jane" - stock right now - with 200,000 miles on it and running like a champ
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Re: A disappointing discovery
27 gallons my good friend, only 27 gallons.
Last edited by Kabey's Van on Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: A disappointing discovery
I know of no Astro/Safari with a 37 gallon tank. If I recall correctly, the older 27 and newer 25 gallon tanks are actually the same size, but the 27 gallon ones allowed fuel to be stored in the filler neck. A 17 gallon tank was also available in early Astro/Safaris, I believe it came in those equipped with 4 cylinder engines.
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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Re: A disappointing discovery
Like the man said, 27 gallons. Better reread the manual. The early vans could be had with a 17 gallon.
Current:
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van
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Re: A disappointing discovery
2 gallons in the filler neck? That does'nt sound right.
I'm calling muggins on that.
![Liar :^o](./images/smilies/eusa_liar.gif)
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Re: A disappointing discovery
I could be wrong, but I seem to remember that the 27 and 25 gallon tanks share the same part number, so the variables would be the fuel pump and filler neck design.Kabey's Van wrote:2 gallons in the filler neck? That does'nt sound right.I'm calling muggins on that.
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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Re: A disappointing discovery
According to "The Book".
1985-1991/17gal.
1992-1997/27gal.
1998-2000/25gal.
2001 and later/27gal.
This also can't be right as I own a 1991 with a 27 gallon tank. So wtf, I dont know.
1985-1991/17gal.
1992-1997/27gal.
1998-2000/25gal.
2001 and later/27gal.
This also can't be right as I own a 1991 with a 27 gallon tank. So wtf, I dont know.
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Re: A disappointing discovery
The 27 gal tank has only 24 gals useable. You know how I know that. ![maniac laugh :muhaha:](./images/smilies/smiley_aahi.gif)
![maniac laugh :muhaha:](./images/smilies/smiley_aahi.gif)
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
Re: A disappointing discovery
I've got the 27 gal tank on my '89 as well.
considering where the drive shaft is in relation to the tank, a 37 gallon tank would look like a giant pregnant guppy hanging under there.
I find that hard to believe, my tank has a well in the bottom of it that the fuel pump sits in.
considering where the drive shaft is in relation to the tank, a 37 gallon tank would look like a giant pregnant guppy hanging under there.
you mean to tell me that there's 3 gallons in the bottom of the tank the fuel pump pickup doesn't reach?Smiliesafari wrote:The 27 gal tank has only 24 gals useable. You know how I know that.
I find that hard to believe, my tank has a well in the bottom of it that the fuel pump sits in.
'89 Astro, 4.3L, TBI. Minor intake and exhaust mods. Rebuilt 700R4 trans (by me). Corvette servo, 0.5" boost valve, police grade 1-2 accumulator spring (shifts fast and solid). B&M stacked plate trans cooler. Bilstein shocks. Belltech sway bars front and back. New head unit, speakers and subwoofer. Needs paint and a new headliner.
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
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Re: A disappointing discovery
Mine is right on E right now and I am off to fill it up so I will let you know.
Re: A disappointing discovery
If you have the trailer tow pack you should have the larger tank. I have thought about taking the spare tire down and mounting a 10-15 gallon tank under the back for road trips that way you could go a good 8 hours or maybe more on one tank of gas at 70mph. That will get it close to the range of my dads full size van. If you start his van in Vancouver and go south the first time you stop for gas is nearly half way down Oregeon.
1999 Safari Touring edition.
trailer tow pack with a 3:73 posi
Bucket bench seats, Rear heat, Rear Airconditioning.
teal green
300 000 kms
AirRide air bags in the rear to fix soft stock suspension.
Onboard aircompressor to make it all work nice.
trailer tow pack with a 3:73 posi
Bucket bench seats, Rear heat, Rear Airconditioning.
teal green
300 000 kms
AirRide air bags in the rear to fix soft stock suspension.
Onboard aircompressor to make it all work nice.
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Re: A disappointing discovery
I've been driving around East Sooke for a while now and with no gas stations for 25 kms I thought I should head to town and get some gas. I didn't think I was going to make it as I was in the red part of the gauge but obviously I did. I pumped in 101 ltrs. which works out to a little over 25 US gallons. So I am pretty sure I have a 27 gallon tank as my gauge was still moving around a little bit.
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Re: A disappointing discovery
If I top off on a really empty tank, i can get about 27 in mine. I assume the neck is FULL!
1998 Astro, 246,000 miles
K&N air filter
TruCool trans cooler
2" Overland lift & 15" BFG Terrain, 3.73 gears
JET Performance SCU-2000 (Speed Control Unit)
Gabriel Ultra shocks, rear AirLift bags & sway bar
Draw-Tite Dual Port Hitch System, hitch-mounted bike rack (4), hitch-mounted cargo tray, Thule roof-mounted cargo box
K&N air filter
TruCool trans cooler
2" Overland lift & 15" BFG Terrain, 3.73 gears
JET Performance SCU-2000 (Speed Control Unit)
Gabriel Ultra shocks, rear AirLift bags & sway bar
Draw-Tite Dual Port Hitch System, hitch-mounted bike rack (4), hitch-mounted cargo tray, Thule roof-mounted cargo box
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Re: A disappointing discovery
Tank size and swap years.
17 gallon tank
1985-1989
27 gallon tank
1985-1996
25 gallon tank
1997-1999
27 gallon tank
2000
2001-2005
Source: http://car-part.com/ and http://www.kbb.com/
17 gallon tank
1985-1989
27 gallon tank
1985-1996
25 gallon tank
1997-1999
27 gallon tank
2000
2001-2005
Source: http://car-part.com/ and http://www.kbb.com/
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86