Fuel Tank sender unit

Gary, would it be possible to bend the sender unit arm slightly in a horizontal plane so that it wouldn't hit the baffle? I don't remember seeing a baffle in mine when I cleaned it (original tank), but the memory isn't what it used to be.

 

Maybe you can bend it but tanks are so cheap that since you are taking it down, a new one from Rock Auto is a good idea. I cut the one on our 49K mile GSX open just to see the inside. Believe me it looked awful inside. Changing it was the right idea. I suspect most old tanks need a change out and corrosion is the reason the baffle is hitting the float.

 

Marc,
I thought about it and I think yes you could but I felt you would probably mess up how the unit read so i chose to try to bend the baffle backwards in that area.

 

Jim, I think your right about a new tank but as I did my car I found besides my generic interior and the previous owner doing a 4 speed conversion the car appears to be stock and pretty original. Part of doing the car for me was putting some blood, sweat and tears of my big butt into the car. So i decided I would learn a few things during the resto and try to keep most of it original and use what it came with when possible. I spent hours and hours cleaning the tank, painting the tank and sealing the tank. It was a lot of work and im sure it will still rust some in the tank, but the acid etch does work and really removed the crud etc Those baffles looked clean and had no build up and IMHO I don't feel that is why it hits. I would love to see a gm original next to a repro to compare. When you look in the tank you can clearly see where the baffle belongs and the repro's I have tried go right to that first baffle. I believe the lever is slightly to long for the float.

 

Thanks for all your helpful replies guys...It seems like I might go with 60electra225's advice and check out Otto instruments in Brisbane AFTER checking the grounding wire
Thanks again
Bruce

 

I replaced the sending unit on my '71 Skylark about a year ago and haven't had any problems with the new unit, I've never put a full tank in it since I've replaced it though. :eek2:

 

I guess also would like to know what tank everyone has? I thought there was 2 tanks. I have the tank with multiple vent tubes common from CA built cars.

 

Just finished the tank for my 71. I got it from Ebay (Impala Bobs out of Mesa, AZ) for $158 which included delivery. He also had the sending unit which was stainless. I did wipe it down with thinner and then sprayed it with clear. It worked! I now have a gas gauge, although I put 5 gallons in, it barely moves the needle. Not concerned. It was my ground wire on the old tank that caused the problem.

 

Got my sending unit in over the weekend. It's a new Delco unit from Year One. Dropped the tank, flushed it (LOTS of 40 year old stuff came out of there) installed the new sending unit, tank pads, stainless straps and hardware and new rubber hoses. Put $25 of 93 premium in the tank and the gas gauge needle reads a steady 3/8ths of a tank after test driving. No wavering in the needle. Good results overall. Best of luck with your installs.

 

If I can get confirmation that the delco units show a full reading in the correct place I am sold:laugh:

 

Hey Tri-Color, I'm going to drive it around the house for a while before I venture too far away in case there are any issues. By Sunday I'll have to fill it up and I'll let you know how it reads with a full tank.

 

I appreciate it, I just have a little ocd over how things work and it drives me crazy when people say "oh its 40 years old what do you expect" I am sure you guys feel the same:beers2:

 

Hey Tri Color.........filled up the tank this morning, well almost, i don't like to fill it completely full because of that nearly flat filler pipe. Anyway, it had about 5-6 gallons in it and the guage read a steady 3/8ths of a tank before i bought more gas. Added 5 gallons of 110 leaded and 5 gallons of 91 and the gauge read just over 7/8ths, steady. Drove to work, about 25 miles, and the only time the guage would dip a little was when i was turning corners. Parked the old girl at work and the guage read 7/8ths.

In my opinion, the new Delco unit from Year One is performing well.

And BTW, i was reading your reply in the post "350, Hunting ET's at the track", sounds like you have a great combo, it runs strong and you're having a lot of fun with it. And that's the main thing!!

Good luck with your decision.

 

Those results sound good to me! Guess Delco sounds the way to go for a stock replacement unit:laugh: Thanks for posting the results I appreciate it. And thank you, I am quite happy with how things are running. I have slicks and possibly an hei for my track runs tonight:3gears:

 

hey TriColor72...........here's some more data for your decision........when i left work this evening the gas gauge read 7/8ths, and when i got home 25 miles later the gauge read 3/4, steady reading all the way.......this is a normal usage reading for my commute to or from work........so, i am very pleased with the performance of this sending unit and i have the reliability of a new Delco part, fresh filter sock, new rubber hoses and a flushed tank.

Hope you kick some serious times at the 1/4 mile this weekend!!!

Steve

 

Hi Guys,
Wanted to ask what you guys think about this. Well helped a friend drop his tank and pulled the unit and moved the float manually up and down and it worked. So we put back in tank (this is a new tank not an original) and mounted. Gauge doesn't work...but worked fine when not in tank...this is an after market sending unit...but what would make it work out but not in tank? Any ideas?

 

Sounds like the ground wire.

 

What would be the best way to test that since the ground seemed fine. Run a lead from maybe the fire wall or somewhere else just to see?

 

If he tested it outside the car then it had a good ground connection on the sender unit. Probably need to make sure the ground wire on the car is making contact. Mine wasn't. I relocated the ground wire to the rear of the car at the tail light ground which gives a little more protection for the ground wire.