I have a 1993 MX-7 180a want to make a dowel dip stick for the main (21.5g) and Aux (15g) gas tanks without draining and gauging when refilling, has anybody got a similar make and model/fuel tank config that has the 1/4, 1/2 + 3/4 markings on a stick that can share with me the measurements/markings

Thanks

I have a 73 M-4 210C. May be the same 21.5gal tanks, may not be... There is a ridge just below the filler neck. If you move to teh left/right, you slide into the bottom of the tank. These measurements are with the stick against the back of the filler neck and parallel to the neck, resting on the ridge. 5gal is 3/4". 10gal is 1 - 15/16". 15gal is 3 - 3/16". 21.5gal is 5" even. If you are at 5" with the above setup, chances are the rest are similar as well. You could always stick before you fill and just note how much fuel you added to that tank. Anyway, a place to start.

I have Mx7180b 1993 same tank configuration (mains 21.5 US Gal, Aux 15 US Gal). My wooden dipstick is in metric (I'll leave you to convert) but is set up so when resting on the tank rib previoulsy mentioned it reads as below:

Mains:
30 Litres is 15mm from botton
40 Litres is 35mm from bottom
50 Litres is 54mm from bottom
60 Litres is 75mm from bottom
70 Litres is 97mm from bottom
80 Litres is 130mm from bottom

Aux:
20 Litresn is 23mm from bottom
30 Litres is 53mm from bottom
40 Litres is 82mm from bottom
50 Litres is 120mm from bottom

Hope that helps, it is certainly pretty accurate on my aircraft anyway.
Cheers

Thank you very much CRB + NZ saves me a lot of bollocking around, I am not sure if this matters to the levels but can i ask what size of tyres you have , as i assume the larger they are the more the back angle of the fuel in the tank
Just want to make sure i am comparing apples to apples

Good question, my wooden dipstick was calibirated when on 8.50 tyres. However I'm now on 31" bushwheels but still use the same dipstick as it's still fairly accurate. Might change again once the extended HD gear goes on though

Can i ask why you are putting on HD gear, was there breakage with the stock gear or is it just for an added sense of comfort knowing its more robust? the reason i am asking is i am thinking about changing out my 8.5 for 26" and would consider HD gear if I felt it was necessary. I do a lot of barley stubble and grass landings in ad hoc fields usually in the sprayer tram lines. I have not noticed any damage so far but would not want to break anything

For me anyway (in order of importance)
1/. Increased strength for unimproved fields/riverbeds (main reason)
2/. Increased prop clearance
3/. Increased angle of attack
4/. I assume the slightly forward stance will help when using heavier braking

31's with a baby bushwheel and ABW spring in the rear.

piperboy84 wrote:Can i ask why you are putting on HD gear, was there breakage with the stock gear or is it just for an added sense of comfort knowing its more robust? the reason i am asking is i am thinking about changing out my 8.5 for 26" and would consider HD gear if I felt it was necessary. I do a lot of barley stubble and grass landings in ad hoc fields usually in the sprayer tram lines. I have not noticed any damage so far but would not want to break anything

My $0.02

When we changed the gear on my M-5 from stock, the aft main tube was bent when checked with a straight edge. This can only be checked by removing the fairings. That M-5 was low time and had had an easy life. The stock gear are a ticking time bomb, if not a full failure, at least an alignment problem with bent tubes. Heavy gear is good peace of mind.

Any idea/ ballpark what the parts and labor would be for a HD gear upgrade? also is there a significant weight difference

HD Gear is less than 1/2# heavier than stock, New is $2300.00 there are several sets on the maket used for $15/1800 Cheap insurance.

best to do your own measurements... with your tires... I noticed when I switched to 29 11 10's my oil dipstick reads different also...

Ok the spinner height changed 6" from standard gear to the Extended according to my measurements

Right On NZ maule,

Measurements were exact.

Thanks again

I used to have two gas sticks. One for wheels and one for floats.

And you are right about the oil quantity, it read quite differently between wheels and floats.

TD