Fuel tank size

Hi, lookin at a 1994 taurus wagon with 3.8 axod trans. went to get a new gas tank this morning and there is 3 different sizes 16, 18 and 20 gal. the 20 is flex fuel and im not sure what that is, but my question is how do I find out what size the tank it is.

Thanks, I do appreciate your time.

I believe 16 is the standard size for gas, 18 is the so-called extended range tank, my 87 wagon had the 18.

I can only suggest you contact your Ford dealer, junkyard and auto parts store for directions on that. The 16 is standard size. The 18.5 I'm pretty sure is the optional size, so is less common. The 20 is for flex fuel car. Do you know how much was the most you ever put in the tank? I would expect if you put in much more than 16 gallons and you didn't have it below E, empty, you have the larger tank, if not, then you have the smaller, 16 gallon tank. I have the 16, and it's hard to get 16 gal in it.

Thanks, It is the 18 gal tank for the wagon and the 16 for regular taurus, still not sure about the flex fuel. and this is my moms car and the gas gauge has never worked it just reads way over full all the time and of course she never pays attention to how much it held just how much it cost, wich was alot with a leaky tank, lol. Thanks for the replies. O yeah if anyone knows why the gas gauge dont read right, the floater is fine so I'm asuming its in the wires or the gauge itself, when you turn the key on the needle comes down to full then tops out again, I have done tons of work to this car and the gas gauge is like the only thing still broken.


1 engine rebuild and a new tranny and she'll run good as new.......maybee

On a '94 with a leaky tank, you may want to do yourself a favor and install a new fuel pump assembly while you have everything apart. Even 16 gallons of fuel is heavy, and Murphy's Law states, "Electric in-tank fuel pumps shall only fail when the fuel tank is full."

Plus, the complete assembly will come with a new fuel gauge sending unit which could fix the fuel guage issue as well.

-Rod