Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks


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#154307 10/14/09 08:28 PM
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I have a 1963 C-10 pickup truck and I have a problem with the fuel level gage / sending unit. I believe around 1963 or '64 that Chevy went from the 0-ohms empty / 30-ohms full sender to the 0-ohms empty / 90-ohms full unit. Can anyone tell me which sending unit was used on the '63 C-10? I looked all through the '63 Shop Manual and there's no reference to the resistance on the sending unit.

Thanks,
-Bob


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How can a fuel gauge be tested for correct ohms ? I am replacing the tank sender and want to be sure to match it correctly. I have a ohms meter. Step buy step please. Thanks.


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If you have a volt ohm meter (VOM) or similar device all you have to do is put the meter on the ohm setting, place one probe on the body of the sending unit and the other on the tab or post that the wire attaches to. You may have to use a clip to secure the probe to the body or stick it into one of the screw holes so you can use one hand to move the float up and down. When you move the float up and down the ohm reading should move from near 0 to ~ 30 ohms as the float is moved up and down. If you have good contact with the probes and the reading does not change or is infinite there is a problem with the sending unit.


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I don't have a sending unit! I have to replace it and want to make sure it matches the guage. I need to find the ohms that the guage needs to work. It's 1940 custom fire vehicle and no info on guages. Thanks.


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Wait a second...I think Bob's thread has been highjacked ! Any one with an answer for BOWTIE BOB...!

...You still got a stock tank on that custom '40 , easy$$$...?


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I did it, I'am sorry ! Any way , I have cleaned and sealed the tank and the tank sender is toast ! The truck is not a brand name . I am going to replace the sender unit in the tank and want to make sure to match the (ohms) guage. How can the guage be tested for the ohms needed to work. Thanks.


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Sorry , I'm still confused...! Lets assume it's a '40 Chevrolet Truck...and it's got the stock tank...? ...With an old cork float sending unit...? ...still a 6 volt system...?


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You need to supply us with better information about your fire truck. Is the dash a Chevrolet stock unit or does the truck have aftermarket gauges. Most Chevrolets I have worked on from 1934 to 1965 had 30 ohm fuel gauge sending units, aftermarket gauges from 73 up are usually 90 Ohm units.
If you want to order a replacment sender here is a place that has both 30 ohm and 90 Ohm units, neither is original but should work withouth anyone being able to see it inside the tank. American Classic Truck Parts


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There must be a way to test the guage for ohms ! A lot of early Fire trucks were custom built and used a lot of odd parts to build. ( No Chevy parts on this one. to bad) If I would guess It would be 0-30 ohms , being a 1940. Thanks.


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Ok so let's just get to what the fire truck really is! a "1940 custom made" Fire truck. Could it have a USA made engine? Chassis? does it have dual ignation inline six, flathead, OHV or valves in the block, straight eight? 5 speed or 4 speed, transmission? full cab, half cab ? is a ? how about posting some pictures of the exterior left and right sides, front and rear. interior from the drivers seat, likewise from the "passanger's side of the seat and the dash. We may even be able to help, but even more satisfy a curisoity type itch!
To test the gauge for ohms get a 0-30 ohm variable resistor, or even a 30 Ohm resistor, even better would to use two 15 Ohm resistors in series (for 3 points on the (E> 1/2> F) so that you can switch from 0 Ohms (less than 1/2 ohm to 30 ohms or a fuel gauge sender and hook it with a 8' length of 16 gauge wire to the + terminals and a short clip lead to the negative terminals or to the metal case of the gauge and the base of the resistor. when you go from 0 ohms to 30 ohms the gauge should go from E to F. Fuel gauge design isn't rocket science. The goal was to be able to detect a change from 0 to 30 ohms without having much current pass thru the tank resistor unit of enough wattage to spark and cause an explosion in the tank. If this isn't clear let me know. Use caution as over 6 volts across the dash unit can damage the dash unit.

Last edited by MrMack; 02/27/12 10:42 PM.

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Thanks, Thats what I was looking for.


easymoney

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