VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Shouldn't it whistle?

I recall reading in various places, including my owner's manual, that the fuel tank on my '51 should whistle when it's being filled. Mine doesn't. I replaced the tank last year after a lengthy period of storage, but we reused the filler pipes and hoses. Where does the whistle part live? Is mine broken? Or does it not work because of the size of modern day gas pump nozzles? Just curious...

I have heard others speak of the whistle, which is a restrictor in the vent tube from the factory, but know neither of mine whistle, when filling. I have not seen any mention of the whistle in my owners manual.

My 51 does whistle when filling so possibly your vent tube is pinched or plugged.

Mine whistles, and I have the tank off of the car now. I'll get back to you here later about where the whistle is located...

It's in the vent tube.

I worked in a gas station in the late 50s. I have heard a few whistle but not many. It is the air being forced out when gas goes in.

My 1951 Chevy also whistles when I put gas in the tank at the gas station, and when the whistle stops that lets the driver know that the gas tank is almost full.

Oops. You're right. Maybe I read it in the Dealer Album. Or the shop manual.

How does it work? Does anyone have any diagrams of how the whistle worked in the early chevys? I have looked on the internet but cannot find any information.

Paul, I'll throw my vent a filler tube in the truck and we can look at it on Sunday.

As I understand, but have not disassembled one to verify, there is a restrictor, mounted within the vent tube, which creates a whistle, as the fuel being added is forcing air out of the vent, as the air passes the vent restrictor.

But... but... but... I wasn't there...

Neither was the part! I couldn't find it on the short notice. I think it's in the top of my shed with the gas tank. I'll be pulling it all out on Wed. if the weather is good.

The one thing I'm not sure of is if the whistle is in the tube coming from the tank, or in the rubber tube going to the filler neck.

Bruce, I just checked my tank which is off and I tried putting a length of speedo cable into the tube and it stops against something just after entering the tank. My guess is that is where the whistle mechanism is located.

when I changed my original tank I wanted to save the whistle and somehow put it in the vent line rubber hose of the new tank. I threw it out by mistake but if I remember correctly it was a metal piece with a 1/8" hole in the middle of it. If someone could get a look at one it would helpful to recreate this.
I miss my whistle....
later, bill

Paul,

I am so glad you started this tread. I have a 1950 and was always embarrassed filling the car with gas as I thought there was something wrong with the tank when I heard the whistle. I would slow down the flow of fuel into the neck to reduce the sound of the whistle. I never thought this was normal to the car. Thanks so much.

Filled my 1951 up today and it whistled.

What about '49s - do they whistle, too?

I believe that the gas tank whistle was standard equipment on the 1950 to 1952 Chevrolets and it was an accessory for 1949.

From 1950 Engineering;
A gas tank filler signal is a new convenence feature on all 1950 vehicles except the station wagon. A whistle is installed on the lower end of the fuel tank vent pipe, which now extends into the tank isself. While the tank is being filled , the whiste is clearly audible, but when the rising fuel flods into the lower end of the vent pipe, the whistling ceases. At this point, a level that provides roomm for expansion in hot weather. Thus, the service station attendant is warned in plenty of time to avoid overflow..
A similar signal, but with a wider range, was an option for taxi cabs in 1949, and will be continued as such for 1950."

An accessory filler signal was availale for 1948 and the 1948 accessory booklet describes it as "avoiding waste and insuring faster filling and provides an anti-siphon baffle for gasoline protection. Easily installed in only a few minutes time."

The 1941-1948 models had to be filled slowly or the gas would blow back at you. Remember that well.

The only other car that I can remember have this feature was Packards of the era.