MC8 fuel gauge sending unit

[Melbo]

What is the best source for a sending unit for an MCI 8

I have not run out of fuel but I have no odometer and no fuel gauge and I'm sure from all the posts that I have read that I don't want to.

It seems like the most logical and best prevention is a fuel gauge BUT where is the best source for a sending unit?

Melbo


The MCI part number is 7F-8-261 and has been replaced by 7F-8-261CG which is listed as a sensor kit for oil level.

[edroelle]

I had bought the production piece from MCI parts.  It was very accurate.

Ed Roelle
Flint, MI

[Stormcloud]

I purchased a guage and sending unit (12 volt) locally at 'Princess Auto' for my MC7.
As I recall, about $40. total, and the sending unit was an exact fit when the blockoff plate was removed from the fuel tank.
Works well, and the price was very reasonable.

Mark

[Kwajdiver]

Very Funny,,,,,, I did run out of fuel,,, 100 yards from the pumps.  Cost me a four hour delay and $200.00  just to get to the pump.

I bought a new sender from MCI the next week.

Bill

[Beatenbo]

International Bus Parts Apopka, FL has the sending unit for MCI about 35 bucks. That doesn't include a gauge I have replaced a couple that alredy had in dash guage.

[JackConrad]

    We purchased a standard float arm sender for our MC-8 when we purchased it in '99.  In less than 2 years, the sender quit working. I took it out and was all rusted up.  I then purchase a Centroid Products www.centroidproducts.com sender with no moving parts. This sender has been in the bus since '01 and is still working great. We purchased another of these senders for our generator/ProHeat fuel tank when we installed it. Each sender is custom built to your tank and gauge. If you do not have a gauge, they will sell you a gauge to match the sender. Not sure about 24 volt availablity, you would have to check with them.  Jack

[tekebird]

it is not that hard to hand calculate even with APU use....

fuel gauges are still an option today

[Melbo]

Thank you all for the responses

There are enough choices here that I will definitely figure something out

I really like the help that is available on this board

Melbo

[buswarrior]

I got mine from MCI, gauge and sender, a few years ago now...

Still best to keep track of fuel a number of ways. Mileage, time, days, whatever...

Treat the dash gauge as a confirmation of your other calculations.

It also is good for warning of catastrophic tank/fuel system failure while under way.

However, heed the old men: "only those with fuel gauges run out of fuel"

When it fails to read correctly, what will be your first warning?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[BJ]

Flying J's are just about where you should stop for fuel. Never saw an accurate fuel gauge, figure about @ 300 miles its time to fuel and stretch

[Jerry Liebler]

BJ,
   You have not seen my fuel gauge.  It is VERY accurate, less than 1/2% error and it resolves 1/10 gallon.  It is based on the Centroid sender that Jack mentioned above (I used the 0-5volt output version).  It uses a digital panel mounted volt meter.  My sender is mounted in the center of the rectangular top of the tank so it is relatively immune to tilt.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120 

[belfert]

I wish I could get my Centroid Product's sender working again.  It would stay on full way too long so I adjusted the calibration screw for full and now it stays on full all the time no matter what adjustment I try.

They are still a good product and I have not tried everything that Centroid's engineer recommended yet.  I bought a new fuel gauge that is fully digital and need to get that installed some day.

[RJ]

Melbo -

Another solution:  A hubodometer to record your mileage.  Simply bolts onto the rear drive axle, and it's accuracy is close enough for figuring fuel stops.  Be sure to get one that matches your tire size's revs per mile.  Available at most HD truck parts houses.  (TomC - how much are they at your dealership's parts dept??)  Here are links to the two most popular:

http://www.atrol.com/hubodometer.htm

http://www.vr-hubodometer.com/hubo/


If you have the single 144 gallon fuel tank, figure 120 of that as useable, and at 5 mpg that equals 600 miles max before searching for fuel.

If you have the optional 179 gallon tank combination, figure 150 useable at 5 mpg for a range of 750 miles.

Personally, I use 500 miles at a guideline, easier to keep track.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Branderson]

Hey gang, my fuel gauge pretty much stays at full.  Sometimes it will wonder to a half tank and then go back up.  I just assumed that there was something stuck in the tank but from what I'm reading on the topic, it could be the sending unit or gauge.  I hate running blind and try to refuel every 300 miles. 

[TomC]

If you have a standard 5 screw round sending unit mounting, Isspro makes a great sending unit. All you do is measure the depth of the tank and order it from Isspro. I have one on my bus that worked flawlessly since 1994. Good Luck, TomC